Establishing a Lawn

Establishing a LawnLawns are a major part of

the home landscape

Reasons for Establishment

Ad beauty to the landscapeUsed as play areas for

sports or for relaxationProvide cover to help

control soil erosion

Soil and GradingFirst consideration is the

present condition of the soil

Questions to ask:Has the builder graded off all

of the topsoil?Is the slope too steep to

establish a lawn and mow it safely?

Is drainage adequate?

GradeBuilder will establish the

rough gradeUsually slopes away from

foundationSix inches of top soil should

be spread over the surface

GradeTopsoil is tilled to loosen

and break up clods

SlopeGeneral slope for the lawn

after the topsoil is spread should not exceed 15%

Slopes greater than 15% are unsafe to mow

SlopeIf a slope of greater than

15% cannot Be avoided, the surface should be planted with plants that do not require mowing such as ground covers.

DrainageGood drainage ensures a

balance between air and water in the soil.

This balance encourages proper root growth

Establishing proper drainage

Install drainage tile about three feet below the surface of the soil to drain the subsoil

Establishing proper drainage

Make use of the slope of the land to drain surface water away

Soil PreparationGood loam soil is best for

most grassesIf loam is not available,

increase the organic matter (o.m.)

Soil PreparationAdd well rotted sawdust,

weed free manure, or peat moss at a rate of 6 cubic feet per 1000 square feet of land

Soil PreparationWork O.M. well into the soil

with a rototiller, rake and remove stones

Seedbed should be firm and smooth but not have a powder fine surface texture

FertilizerSoil should be tested to

determine the correct amount of fertilizer to apply

Complete fertilizer with a high P content is recommended for establishing lawns.

FertilizerStarter fertilizers are

manufactured with high P content

Some soil test reports may indicate a need for lime

LimeChanges the pH of the soil

by reducing the acidityCan be applied in several

forms

LimeCalcium CarbonateCalcium OxideCalcium Hydroxide

pHIf pH of the soil indicates a

alkaline soil, sulfur or iron sulfate may be used to lower the pH

pHIdeal pH range for lawns

is between 6.0 and 6.5

Spreading FertilizerSpread in two different

directions, half of the recommended amount in one direction and the remainder perpendicular to the first application

Spreading FertilizerThis ensures uniform

distribution of the fertilizerMay be applied with a

spreader or in a liquid form with a garden hose attachment

Starting a LawnTwo waysSeedingVegetative

VegetativeSprigging SoddingPluggingStrip planting

Selecting SeedAll lawn grass seed is required

by law to have the following information on the label

Name – the package must give the correct name of all seeds in the package

Selecting seedInformation on where this

type of seed grown bestPurity – gives the make up

of the seed by percent of each type

Selecting SeedPercent germination – this

identifies how well the seed will sprout and grow

Other crop – percentage of other crop seeds, wheat, barley, orchard grass, and timothy are undesirable

Selecting SeedInert matter – material that

will not growSeed pieces, sand or dirtInert ingredients add weight

to the package and little else

Selecting SeedWeed Seed – not desirable in

lawn mixturesMany weed seeds are difficult

to remove because of their size

Selecting SeedLaw requires that the

manufacturer list the percent of weed seed present in the package

Selecting SeedNoxious Weeds – each state

has a listing of noxious weedsWeeds that are difficult to

control

Selecting SeedNoxious Weed listings are

very specific as to the number and type of seeds per ounce

Selecting SeedYear tested – commercial

seed is tested each year for germination results

Selecting SeedCompany name and addressLawn specialists should be

contacted to determine the best seed mixture for your lawn

SeedingSeed may be spread by hand

or with a mechanical seeder similar to a fertilizer spreader

Seed is mixed with a carrier such as sand to ensure uniform distribution

SeedingSeeding is done in two

directions just as fertilizer application is

Lightly cover the seed by hand raking

SeedingSeeds must be covered and in

close contact with the soil

MulchingApplying alight covering of

weed free clean straw or hay will help hold in moisture and prevent seed from washing or blowing away.

MulchingStraw also helps to hide the

seed from birds.

WateringKeep new seedlings moist

until well establishedOnce germination begins,

seeds must not be allowed to dry out

WateringAvoid saturating the soil as

too much moisture can result in a fungal disease called damping off

Vegetative PlantingSprigging, Strip Planting,

Plugging and StolonizingUsed for grasses which are

difficult to grow from seed or for which seed is not available

VegetativeZoysia, Bermuda Grass,

Centipede Grass, Creeping Bentgrass and Velvet Bentgrass

VegetativeMaterial must be kept moist

until well establishedDuring first year light

applications of N every two to four weeks helps to speed the spread of new grass.

SoddingSod consists of grass and

grass roots in a thin layer of soil which is removed from the growing area in strips and rolled for transport

SoddingSod is the most expensive

optionIdeal for steep slopes or

terraces where erosion may be a problem

Soddingis used when the home owner

wants a complete, instant lawn

SoddingSod should not be cut more

than one inch thick.Thin sod will knit itself to the

soil faster than thick cut sod

SoddingAfter sod is laid and tamped

down or rolled lightly, it is topdressed with a small amount of top soil

SoddingSod must be kept moist until

the roots have grown well into the soil

Strip Soddingmay also be usedstrips of sod 2-4 inches wide

are planted one foot apart

Pluggingsmall plugs of soil with grass

plants in them are planted in holes evenly spaced throughout the yard

PluggingThe close the plugs are

planted together the faster the area will fill with grass

Spriggingplanting of individual plants,

runner, stolons, or cuttings at evenly spaced intervals.

StolonizingShredded stolons are spread

over the area and topdressed with soil.

Used for larger or very specialized areas such as golf course putting greens

FactorsClimactic conditions:

temperature and available moisture

Geographical regionsUS is divided into six regions

with respect to the best types of grasses

South Dakota falls in regions 1 and 4

South DakotaCommon grasses for our

area include Kentucky BluegrassRed Fescue

.Colonial BentgrassTall FescueBermudaZoysia

.Crested Wheatgrass - SD

state grassBuffalograssBlue Grammagrass