How to prepare the soil for the lawn is a key issue if we want to achieve even emergence of the grass sown, and in the future a nice turf. Regardless of whether it is the enlargement of the current lawn or the creation of a new lawn from scratch, always start with proper soil preparation. Here's how to prepare the ground for your lawn correctly and with success.
How to prepare the ground for the lawn
Preparation of the ground for the lawnconsists of several stages. You should remove weeds, dig and fertilize the soil, dry the damp soil and finally level the ground.If we perform these treatments conscientiously and correctly, we will certainly enjoy a beautiful lawn for many years.
Step 1 - Weed Removal
Preparing the ground for the lawnstart with removing the weeds. It is very important to thoroughly clean the ground under the future lawn of all annual and perennial weeds. Complete removal of weeds is unfortunately rather impossible, but you should do everything you can to reduce their amount in the soil as much as possible.
The best effects are achieved by the use of a non-selective herbicide (it will destroy both annual and perennial weeds), which will penetrate the entire plant and destroy its aerial part and roots. A non-selective herbicide should be used at the appropriate time when weeds are in the growth phase. After using the herbicide, wait some time for the herbicide to penetrate into the plant and spread it.
In a particularly weedy area, it is worth waiting for the weeds to regrow (and you will certainly do so) and spray them again with the herbicide .Typically, the first dose of the herbicide is applied in the fall and the next in the spring, before the lawn is set up. You can start the next works about 3 weeks after applying the herbicide.
If you do not want to use herbicides in the garden, the only thing left to do is to mechanically clean the soil from weeds. In the case of large areas ofground under the lawn , it is very labor-intensive and never allows you to remove all the weeds.
Step 2 - land drainage, drainage
On the topichow to prepare the ground for the lawndehydration is one of the most important issues. If we set up a lawn in a wet area, it must be drained or drained. Otherwise, after each rainfall, large puddles of water will be visible on the lawn.Drainage is the removal of excess water from the lawn surface. One of the easiest ways to drainage is to use coarse sand or fine gravel and drain it. To do this, remove approx.Top layer of soil 30 cm and lay out a drainage layer of sand. The thickness of such a drainage layer should be approx. 5-10 cm. Tamp it well, and then spread the previously collected garden soil on it.
Note!After lining the drainage and covering it with fertile soil, the terrain should return to the same level, not higher or lower.
If the area is too large to lay a layer of gravel underneath it, it is worth draining with pipes and drains. It is a complicated procedure, so it is worth entrusting it to professionals.
Step 3 - digging and fertilizing the soil
If we made a drainage layer, we had already dug the ground. However, if the drainage was not necessary, remember todig the ground under the lawnto a depth of 20-25 cm. It is best to dig the soil when it is moderately moist. Digging with a shovel or fork brings the best results, but if you don't have enough strength, you can use a mechanical cultivator.When digging, remove any stones, roots and perennial weeds that remain in the ground.
ThisHow to prepare the ground for the lawnalso often involves replacing the top layer of earth with more they are fertile. If our area has poor soil, poor in nutrients or is too heavy and clayey, the top layer of about 8-10 cm should be harvested and replaced with new fertile and permeable soil. Sometimes, in the case of clay soil, it is enough to spread a layer of approx. 3-5 cm of sand and mix it with the soil to loosen theground under the lawn . If, on the other hand, the soil is too light, scatter a 5-centimeter one.(3 - 4 kg / m²) layer of compost or de-acidified peat substrate (unless the soil needs acidification, then we use acid garden peat) and mix it with the soil. Before digging the soil, it is also worth checking its pH.
Important - often forgotten!Lawns grow best on slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5 - 6, 5) and before setting up the lawn, we need to obtain the pH of the soil.To increase the alkalinity of the soil by 1 pH, 300 g / m² of slaked lime should be added. To increase the acidity by 1 pH, use ammonium sulphate in the amount of 70 g / m² of soil or non-acidified peat in the amount of 3 - 4 kg / m² of soil.
Step 4 - breaking up clods of earth
Breaking up clods of earth. If the soil clumps into large lumps during digging and you do not break it, it can cause uneven subsidence and eventually make the lawn surface uneven. Therefore, it is best to trample each lump of earth with your shoes or break it into small pieces with a pitchfork or a shovel. If the terrain is large, a cultivator can be used for this purpose, setting it to a shallow depth.
Step 5 - Compaction and leveling of the surface
If you want toproperly prepare the ground for your lawnyou must not forget to compact the ground properly. For this purpose, you can tamp the ground with your shoes, putting your foot next to the foot, and so on the whole area, remembering to shift the weight of your body to your heels each time you put your foot down.After trampling the entire area, the soil should be ruffled and the treatment repeated. Repeat the trampling and raking until the ground is compacted enough so that no deep heel marks will appear.Of course, trampling is very laborious and ineffective. It is definitely better to use a garden roller to roll your lawn. Especially on large surfaces, the use of a roller is a must.
After tamping, it is necessary to level the surface. This is thefinal step in preparing the ground for your lawn.The best way is to use a flat board. Place the board once in a while and slightly add it to the surface. When we do this all over the area, you will be able to see where the unevenness is. Then all the hills should be leveled with a rake and the excess soil should be moved to the holes or removed. Repeat the treatment with the plank and the raking until the ground is completely flat.
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