1. Lawn Establishment and Care
Utah Agricultural Education
Plant Science 1

2. Establishing a New Lawn

3. Establishment by seeding.
Advantages
Inexpensive
Disadvantages
Several Months
More effort
Greater chance of failure

4. Establishment by seeding
Fall Planting Preferred with cool temperatures for establishment and less competition from annual weeds.
Spring Planting Similar to fall but must compete with weeds.

5. Site Preparation – Debris Removal
Removal of any objects from the top 4 inches of the soil surface.

6. Site Preparation – Eliminate Vegetation and Weeds
By only tilling the ground you may in fact be spreading perennial weeds. A non-selective contact herbicide should be used in controlling undesired vegetation.

7. Site Preparation - Grading
Ground should slope away at least 1 percent grade from the home. Make sure that there is a least a 4 inch layer of top soil.

8. Site Preparation – Soil Amending
Soil test should be made to aid in determining how to
Adjust pH
Add fertility correcting chemicals
Incorporate organic amendments

9. Site Preparation – Surface Preparation
Free of Clods
Smooth as possible
Rototill if needed
Lightly raked
Rolled to compact the soil surface.

10. Seed Selection
Select grass species recommended for your areas from an extension fact sheet.

11. Seed Label Information
Seed Selection
Seed Label Information
Variety
Germination Rate
Weed Seed%
Inter Matter %
Quantity

12. Seeding Techniques Follow the label. Plant on a calm day.
Overlap wheel tracks to prevent missing a strip.
Helps hold the seed in place.
Water and fertilizer included.
Easily can determine areas that are planted.

13. Postseeding Care Watering: 3-4 times a day keep soil surface moist.
Fertilize: When seedlings are 1½ -2”
1st Mowing: When seedlings exceed normal height.

14. Establishment by sodding.
Advantages
Can be done anytime of the year
Instant Lawn
Disadvantages
Expensive

15. Site Preparation
The same methods exist for sod as they do for seed.

16. Laying Sod Laid as soon as possible. Stagger the strips
Use a lawn roller when is it laid.
Water thoroughly once laid.