Turf Makeover -
Home Edition
10 Steps to a New Lawn
I have been able to consistently,
and easily renovate over 300 existing lawns with
10 easy steps. The process is done without
expensive turf removal equipment, without
rototilling in compost mix and can usually be
completed in
several hours.
This renovation process can be done whether you
have to fill in any thin spots or if you have to
reseed a lawn that may have been destroyed by
fungus, drought stress or poor maintenance
practices.
Renovate
Damaged Landscaping
1. Decide what needs to be changed.
Landscape re-do, new patio, flower bed.
Make sure you have not used a pre-emergent on
your lawn. It will keep seeds from germinating
and hinder any grass growth.
2. Fix the problem(s). What caused the turf to be in the shape it
is in? Was it poor sprinkler coverage, grub
infestations, fungus infection, to much shade
for the type of grass, or just tired old turf.
3. Kill out any unwanted
grass and vegetation.
Do not use a soil sterilant that will keep
plants from growing for a year. Just scraping it
off will not work. The roots will re-establish.
4. Mark the sprinkler heads.
I use flour. Every one has flour and it is
biodegradable. Mow the lawn short.
5. Trash the lawn with an
aerator.
This is when a young person comes in handy to
handle the equipment. Make sure the lawn is
moist so you can pull the best plugs possible.
Go over the lawn 10-15 times with the aerator.
The edges will be the most difficult to do. You
may have to aerate the stressed areas and the
dog paths more.
6. Power rake the lawn. You want the power rake to nick the top of
the soil (1/4 in.), not digging up excessive
thatch. Breaking the crust of the soil will
provide excellent seed to soil contact. Power
raking will also break up the aeration plugs and
it will look like you have top dressed the lawn.
7. Apply 25 lbs/1000 sq. ft. of
Biosol Mix Organic Fertilizer. Biosol Mix has
carbon, sugars, beneficial bacteria, beneficial
fungi and a 7-2-3- N-P-K
½ lbs/1000 sq. ft.
of granular Mycoapply Mycorrhizae, a root
fungus that will increase the root structure
100%-1000%.
5 lbs/1000 sq. ft.
of Menefee Humate, a high carbon soil
conditioner.
3 lbs/1000 of a starter fertilizer.(16-16-16
will work) This application will cover the
nitrogen needs for the grass for the first 3
weeks as it starts to grow.
Biosol Mix will start releasing in 2-3 weeks to
balance out the nutrient needs of the turf.
8. Choose the right type of seed from the right
seed company.
If you buy your seed from a box store then
ignore all of the above and follow their
recommendations. Good luck!
The right type of seed from the right seed
company will make you look good and cost you
less in the long run.
The newest varieties of seed are much more
drought tolerant, disease resistant, and
darker of color than the seeds from 5 years ago.
Apply the seed with a broadcast spreader at
double the application rate. Application rate
is approximately 7-8 lbs/1000 sq. ft. for blue
grass and up to 15 lbs/1000 sq. ft. for tall
fescue. By doubling the application rate you
can make up for the loss of seed that will get
caught up in the thatch layer and will not
germinate.
The seed must come in contact with the soil for
germination. It will take 10 days to 2 weeks
for blue grass and tall fescue seed to start
germinating and rye grass will germinate in 4-7
days, try not to broadcast seed into the flower
and garden beds where it is not desirable.
9. Water frequently and lightly for 28 days.
Any puddling of the water will separate the seed
from the soil. You do not need to water like
you do with sod. The existing turf and the
thatch layer will hold a lot of moisture
through-out the day. You can start cutting back
the water in 2 weeks. Mow the lawn with your
normal schedule. You can shut off the water for
a day so the grass will dry. Mow at 2 1/2-3
inches in height.
10. Learn to sit back and
enjoy.
A lawn reseeded with the newest varieties of
turf grasses will provide years of
enjoyment.
