“Sowing the seeds of love.” -Tears for Fears 38.00 Lawn Bed Preparation “Sowing the seeds of love.” -Tears for Fears 38.00

Methods Used to Start a Lawn Seeding Sodding Plugging Sprigging and Stolonizing

Seeding Most common Inexpensive Seeds are sown by hand or with a mechanical devise

Seeding continued Seeds can be spread by machinery like a cultipacker seeder or a hydroseeder Hydroseeder is a sprayer that applies seed, water, fertilizer, and mulch… SWEET!

Sodding Using established turf (grass and roots and some soil) Turf is cut into thin layers and removed from the growing area in strips

Sodding continued Strips are rolled or cut and stacked and taken to new lawn and rolled out and fitted together More expensive than other methods Provides and instant lawn and works on slopes (seeds wash away here)

Plugging Use small plugs or blocks of sod to plant in holes about one foot apart This method is very time consuming Used for many warm season grasses that are poor seed producers

Sprigging and Stolonizing Uses plant runner, cuttings or stolons without soil attached to start new lawns Sprigging is slow if done by hand Sprigging and stolonizing can be done by broadcasting plant parts

Sprigging and Stolonizing continued Plant parts are rolled or disked into the soil Usually used on larger areas such as a golf course

Steps involved in preparing the seed bed Grading Drainage Conditioning the soil Planting the Lawn

Grading Slope away from the house to drain water away from house and basement Slope should not be over 15% for lawn grasses… why?

Drainage Necessary for proper root growth Slope affects drainage Drainage tile below surface can be used

Conditioning the Soil Six inches of topsoil should be spread over subsoil or use well-rotted or decayed organic matter This organic matter should be added and mixed into existing soil.

Conditioning the Soil Roots, stones, dirt clods and other trash (metal, Joe David, etc) should be removed

Conditioning the Soil Soil should be tested for pH and nutrient recommendations When do you take your soil sample? What depth should your soil cores or slices be taken?

Conditioning the Soil Lime and fertilizer should be added to make the pH of 6.5-7.0 and meet the fertilizer recommendations of the soil test

Conditioning the Soil All soil additives such as lime, organic matter, fertilizer, pesticides, etc. should be worked into the soil Soil should be tilled to break the soil into small particles Never till when wet!

Planting the Lawn Plant at the proper time of the year Warm season in spring Cool season in early fall or very early spring

Planting the Lawn Choose the correct high quality seed for the climate and use

Planting the Lawn Sow one-half recommended rate of seed in one direction and sow one half across the lawn at a 90° angle to the first half

Planting the Lawn Cover seeds by lightly raking so that seeds will have contact with the soil

Planting the Lawn Mulch with light cover of straw or use commercial mulching material Especially necessary for slopes

Planting the Lawn Water to keep seeds moist and new seedling moist Must continue to water until they are well established