A
Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Lawn
What
you need :
Barrow
Shovel/Spade
Rake
Seed
Fertiliser
New
House Lawns
1. Remove debris, clear site of spilled concrete etc.
Spray out or remove existing weed growth.
2. Smooth clay subgrade to even levels. Check that the
levels fall away from buildings for
drainage. Make sure there is sufficient depth below
paths, driveway edges etc for soil
to be placed.
3. Put in pegs for soil depth indicators so you get
a consistent soil depth over the entire area.
You should work on using 4 inches (100mm) to 6 inches
(150mm) of topsoil cover over
the subgrade.
4. Load out topsoil, spread and rake out. Level, roll
or tramp with heels to consolidate.
It is especially important to
consolidate around edges eg: pathways, gardens etc
and top up again so that the
level is flush.
Note: If rolling out turf, allow
for the depth of turf around paths, edging etc.
5. Spread seed and fertiliser. Lightly rake in to bury
as much seed and fertiliser as possible.
There is no need to re-roll.
6. Water lawn and keep damp without flooding or ponding.
To keep the surface damp it may
mean 2 - 3 waterings a day. Surface dampness is the
secret to a consistent even
seed strike.
7. Once the seed has germinated, don't stop watering!
However, watering can be reduced.
Do not let the ground bake.
8. Initial mowing should be when grass is 2 inches (30
- 50mm) long. Just top grass (that
is mowing off only the top 1/3). Always use a catcher
on juvenile grass. Avoid mowing
when surface is wet enough to create ruts or indentations
from the mower wheels.
Renovating
Tired Lawns
If you have grass cover that is mainly weeds or you
have an uneven surface, totally spray
out and kill. This will usually takes several weeks
for the vegetation to die and then
a few more weeks to let the vegetation rot and disintegrate.
Once the vegetation has rotted down, the humps and hollows
will become obvious.
Cultivate up the ground and level. Additional topsoil
may be required to bring site to an
even level.
Follow
steps from four onwards above to complete lawning area.
Top
|
