Do you want to remedy a tired and shapeless patch of grass? Or perhaps you desire to create a new lawn. Whichever the case, laying lawn turf is the sure answer. Of course, it’ll be more expensive compared to sowing seeds, but the benefits will outweigh the costs incurred. For one, you’ll instantly have a usable lawn area. It’ll also have no moss or weeds to spoil the result. So, when’s the best time to lay the lawn? Go for a warm spring or autumn, especially when there’s plenty of rain to help the new grass to establish its roots. The lawn will be ready in time for the summer heat or winter frost.
Now let’s get started on the lawn. First prepare the area by removing stones and leveling the ground. You can use a rake to even it out. Make sure that the soil surface is firm-you can walk up and down on it, taking small and heavy steps. A starter fertilizer, without a pre-emergent, can be applied to the soil. Next, get the turfs and lay them on the soil, slightly overlapping each other. In order to get a clean edge, grab a sharp knife or spade and use it to cut off any excess lawn turf. Voila! You’re done. It’s that simple.
Note that it will be a few weeks before your lawn can be well established. In that time, ensure you don’t let the lawn dry out-water it regularly.
Your lawn is made up of living plants, and they need to be properly cared for. In order to become a beautifully established lawn, it will need to be watered, mowed and fertilized, plus receive a couple of chemical applications when necessary.
When you water the new lawn, ensure that it’s thoroughly soaked. It’s not just about getting the turf wet. The dirt below it needs to be soaked to allow the roots to grow into softer dirt. Wait for 10-14 days after installing your lawn before you do you first mowing. This is to ensure that the lawn turf has sufficient time to get firmly rooted into the soil. And just like with normal lawns, first let the lawn to dry before you mow. You don’t want to leave behind any tracks, do you? It’s best to start mowing when the grass is 5 cm high. And never remove more than a third of the grass’ height at a time.
Basically, your new lawn has 3 requirements to remain in optimal condition: sunlight water and food. Hence, you need to regularly feed it if you want it to maintain its health and color, and even to grow and fight disease. There are many lawn fertilizers available, and each comes with its own feeding regimes. After you have laid your lawn, feed it twice yearly. One time is in the spring where you should use a nitrogen-rich lawn feed, and the other time is in the autumn, where you should use a fertilizer that’s high in potash and phosphate.
Remember: your lawn will only look as good as you allow it to look. As such, the proper maintenance is crucial to having a beautiful lawn.
