Seed & Fertilizer Seed & FertilizerHow do I prepare the soil before planting a lawn?
v Remove unwanted vegetation.
v Till the soil to a depth of 2-6 inches. This is a good time to add well-composted organic matter to your soil if your soil is lacking nutrients. A sod roller may be used to break up dirt clods.
v Rake the area smooth and remove any rocks or other unwanted debris.
v Allow the area to settle for 2-3 days after tilling. If necessary, smooth any rough areas with a rake.
** Soil preparation is very important to the success of a new lawn. It is tempting to take short cuts, however any lumps and bumps left in the area to be seeded will mean lumps and bumps in your new lawn.
** If you have added an irrigation system – allow the disturbed soil to settle for a minimum of 2-3 days before smoothing the area.
What is the application rate for lawn seed?
v 1# per 100 square feet
v 10#s per 1,000 square feet
v 400#s per acre
How do I sow the seed?
v If you have a small area, simply spreading the seed by hand will work. If you are seeding a large area use a broadcast or drop spreader. Apply ½ of the seed by moving across the area in rows; apply the other ½ by moving across the area in right angles to the previous rows. This helps insure the most even coverage.
v Use a sod roller to press the seed into the top layer of the soil.
Should I cover the seed?
v A light covering of mulch is ideal. You will have better germination, less seed loss due to birds, and retain more moisture with a ¼ inch layer of mulch. In this case more is not better! Do not apply the mulch any thicker than ¼ inch or you may bury the seed too deep and it will not germinate.
v Peat moss, good quality compost or topsoil, are all be good choices for mulch.
How often do I need to water my new lawn?
v It is critical to keep the young plants moist. How often and how much watering varies depending on your soil, weather conditions, shade, etc. Even so, you should plan on watering at least daily, but more often may be necessary. As the seedlings mature you can decrease the frequency of watering and increase the amount of watering each time. As a general rule, a mature lawn requires 1 – 1 ½ inches of water per week.
When should I mow the lawn for the first time?
v The rule of thumb is never more mow than 1/3 of the length of grass blade at a time. In other words, if your lawn in 3 inches tall, mow 1 inch – and no more. This rule also applies to new lawns; do not let your new lawn grow too long before mowing for the first time.
Should I fertilize?
v A good starter fertilizer has a high phosphorous content to encourage root growth. 6-20-20 or 15-15-15 are both good choices to apply at the time you plant your lawn. After you have mowed 2-3 times you can apply a higher nitrogen fertilizer, such at Turf Royale (21-7-14).
v To maintain your lawn, it is ideal to fertilize when the lawn starts an active growth period. In our temperate California climate, this means fall and spring.
v Apply fertilizer at a rate of: 5# per 1,000 square feet -- 218# per acre
How long does it take for the seeds to sprout?
v Germination varies depending on the variety of seed and environmental conditions. In general ryegrasses will germinate fastest and fescues are slower. Anywhere from 10-20 days may be a normal germination period.
When will my lawn be mature enough to use normally?
v Again, this will vary depending of seed variety and conditions, but you should have a usable lawn in 6 – 10 weeks.
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