Often, when talking about the lawn in a conversation, pleasant associations arise: a small cozy family house, which is located away from the bustle of the city and has a fringing of emerald green grass. Naturally, for most owners of summer cottages and household plots, an ideal lawn is a matter of pride. In Europe, without it it is difficult to imagine a private estate in a small city. However, to create it will require a lot of effort and follow some rules.
Lawn planting
The first step in creating a lawn in a household territory will be the selection of a suitable place and its preparation. Initially, it will be necessary to determine the future space where grass will be planted.. This must be done in order to find out the required amount of planting material, fertilizers and fertile soil. It should be remembered that the level of the lawn should always remain above the paved paths.
Site preparation
The first step is to finish all construction work at the selected location. If the selected area is too wet, then create a drainage layer. To achieve this, you will need to remove the top layer of the earth. Gravel is laid on infertile soil. It can be replaced with broken brick or a 10-15-cm layer of sand. They recommend carefully tamping the drainage. For this purpose, it is best to use an ice rink.
If the territory is too vast, then the use of a herbicide is allowed. These are special chemical preparations that will help get rid of any plants, including cultivated ones, on the territory they process. During work, it is important to observe safety precautions, since many compounds can be hazardous to human health. In order for the drug to work, you need to wait about 7 days. And only after that proceed to the creation of a fertile layer.
If the area where the lawn will be placed is small, then the soil mixture can be kneaded manually. If the territory is vast, then it is necessary to use special equipment. Before starting to backfill, it is better to check the place again for residual plants and their roots. Large clods of soil can be crushed with a shovel. Further, with the help of a rake, the surface of the earth is processed.
To level the selected territory, a special skating rink is used.To level the selected territory, a special skating rink is used. It will provide an almost perfectly flat surface. If the result the first time turned out to be not as it should, the procedure is repeated. The most suitable option is to leave the land alone for several months. This process is called fallowing. This means that the soil will settle on its own and all surface irregularities can be seen. During this time, seeds of weeds that could remain in the ground will also sprout. They will have to be removed again.
Important! At this stage, it is also necessary to completely get rid of weeds and their roots, accumulated construction and other debris.
The choice of lawn grass and its sowing
The right choice of grass depends on the type of lawn itself. Accordingly, most manufacturers seek to indicate on the packaging what the buyer wants.
For instance:
- Sports lawn. This means that the bag contains grass seeds that can withstand significant loads. Most often, such compounds are used in playgrounds, fields for playing soccer or golf. Such a lawn will be trampled more slowly, but at the same time it needs to be cut more often.
- Ground lawn. It has a more decorative function. Most often created with the aim of growing ornamental crops or arranging flower beds. The main feature is the rich green color of the grass and its special shine in the sun. A significant drawback is the need for frequent watering.
- Dwarf lawn. This is a special composition of seeds that grow slowly. Accordingly, the need for cutting and care of such plantings is reduced to a minimum. It is usually used for decorative purposes, as it is quickly trampled down.
- Lawn for slopes. This composition contains herbs that create an extensive weave of the root system. Due to this, the probability of soil slipping from steep surfaces is significantly reduced. It is created to prevent erosion.
When the seeds are selected and the site is prepared, you can directly sow the plants. Usually, on the packaging, the manufacturer indicates the density of plantings and methods for carrying out this process. Spread the seeds on the surface of the earth with your hands. Less commonly used are special tools or equipment, such as seeders. For the convenience of spreading planting material, it can be mixed with sand.
It is recommended to distribute them evenly throughout the territory. To do this, you have to go through the entire site several times. After the seeds are in the ground, they must be lightly dug. To do this, use a skating rink or rake. The final procedure is to spray moisture. The nozzle for irrigation is selected shallow.
Video: do-it-yourself lawn sowing
Care
Growing quality lawns can only be properly looked after their growth. The first care procedures must be carried out only after the grass has taken root on the lawn. It is necessary to constantly monitor the condition of plants and take various measures depending on the time of year and weather conditions. All technology is divided into several stages.
Lawn weeding
The first time the lawn begins to weed after only a few days after the appearance of the first shoots. This is done to remove weeds that do not have time to grow stronger. If the weed is perennial, then they dig it along with the rhizome. Those that delve into the ground and do not want to pull out, cut with a knife or dig under the scoop. Although manually weeding weeds for a long time, this method is considered the most effective. After this, it is necessary to compact the earth and water it.
Lawn edging
This procedure is carried out due to the fact that the edge is almost impossible to level with a lawn mower. To improve the planting, an electric trimmer or ordinary garden shears are often used. In order to change the appearance of this area, a sickle is often used. To restore the edge, you need to remove part of the lawn with turf. The defective side is placed in the direction of the landing center.
Lawn mowing
When the lawn is completely rooted, mowing is the only right way to control its development. She also plays the role of a preventive procedure. With it, you can get rid of weeds. For a haircut you need a lawn mower. It can be rented for a while or purchased for personal use. Choosing this equipment, you must be guided by the territory that it can process.
Important! The most accurate is a haircut when using a rotary lawn mower.
You can also buy a model with or without a grass catcher. During the improvement of the site, you should change the direction of the haircut from time to time. If this is not done, then the soil will be gradually compacted. Grass will begin to grow at an unnatural angle. In this case, it seems as if it is developing under a bias.
Video: how to mow the lawn
Alignment and Mulching
Mulching is a way to fix the uneven surface of the lawn. This procedure involves the introduction of fertile mixtures. After spending it on your site, you can improve the flow of nutrients to the root system of plants, reduce the evaporation of moisture. The mulching procedure involves the use of various mixtures.The use of this or that mixture depends on the soil itself. Most often, sand, peat, fertile soil, leaf humus can be found in the composition. Their proportions may vary. Mulch application is usually done once a year. Choose one of the autumn days for this. Before this process, grass cutting and cleaning is mandatory.
Fertilizing and sanding
Fertilizers are applied to improve the appearance of the grass. Only when receiving a complex of useful and nutrients, its color will always remain bright green. Therefore, in the spring, nitrogen substances are often added, which stimulate growth. In autumn, to prepare plants for the upcoming cold weather, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are used. If the site area is small, then granular mixtures are applied manually.
Did you know? The first images of the lawn, as a cultivated part of the infield, date from the 14th – 16th centuries. n e.
When they are presented in liquid form - use a watering can. If the site is large, then you should resort to the help of special equipment. Only granular fertilizers can be used. The procedure is carried out exclusively in dry weather.. If the surface of the earth is overdried, then it will have to be moistened first. Since the application of fertilizers implies the most uniform distribution, it is necessary to fill the substance into the distributor outside the lawn.Sanding a lawn involves the use of fine river sand with ammonium sulfate and iron. This procedure is carried out using special equipment. The machine is called a gritter. Its design has a disc and a rotary brush. Due to constant fluctuations, sand spreads evenly across the surface of the earth. After sanding, the lawn is thoroughly watered. This procedure will not only smooth the surface and enrich the soil with useful substances, but also prevent the growth of weeds.
Video: fertilizers for lawn
Verticulation
A lawn that has reached 3-5 years of age has a too dense layer of turf.
This situation is fraught with a number of negative consequences:
- minimal moisture penetration to the roots;
- lower levels of incoming oxygen;
- minimal benefit from the fertilizer application.
Because of this, the grass quickly loses its appearance, becomes faded and nondescript. To avoid this situation, carry out a procedure called verticulation. In this case, the legs of the indexers should be deepened into the turf by a few centimeters. In this case, its excess layer is removed.
Positive changes can be observed after 6 weeks. The lawn will be transformed again and will delight its owner with a bright and rich green color. The best time for this procedure is the second half of the month of August. It is believed that at this time of the year the probability of sudden temperature changes is minimal.
Combing
Scrubbing is done to improve the flow of sunlight to plants. Moss can prevent this process. Using a rake it is removed. The whole process resembles combing the hair of an animal, which is why it got this name. 10 days before the implementation of this process, it is recommended to treat the lawn with a special tool that destroys moss. The most suitable period is considered the beginning of spring. The higher the grass, the more difficult it is to comb out.
Watering the lawn
Watering is usually done in the early morning or late evening. This will avoid the adverse effects of sunlight on wet grass. Burns may appear on it. In addition, in this case, moisture can freely penetrate to a depth of 8 cm into the ground. Watering is always carried out after cutting, weeding, and during periods of tillering and growth of grass.So that water does not accumulate in large quantities on the surface, the earth is pierced with a pitchfork. If an automatic irrigation system is used, it is best that it has a timer. With it, you can provide irrigation even at night. It is believed that it is during this period that the plant absorbs the greatest amount of moisture.
Video: lawn autowatering
Features of care in different months and seasons
The lawn care procedure is suspended only in the winter.
Did you know? The lawn, which is located on an area of 232 m², is able to provide a sufficient amount of oxygen to a family of 4 people.
Throughout the rest of the year, it is carried out as follows:
- Spring. The first lawn manipulations must be done immediately after the first thaw. Since the earth is dominated by a huge amount of water, there is a possibility of damage to plants. In addition, after winter, they are weakened and require additional protection. After the top layer dries out a little, carry out the combing procedure. If places have been discovered where the grass is infected with the disease, this place is carefully cut with a lawn mower. Then they add it and only after 10 days new seeds are planted.
- Summer. At this time of the year, watering and shearing become the most important care procedures. If the first sprouts of the grass began to turn yellow, then it is necessary to make spring fertilizer based on nitrogen. Toward the middle and end of summer, it is necessary to increase the flow of oxygen to the roots. For this, mulching and aeration are carried out. It is allowed to plant new seeds.
- Fall. Preparation for wintering begins. In the first autumn month they carry out the same procedures as in the summer - watering and shearing. At the same time, you can again sow areas with bald spots. Feeding is carried out only in the month of October. These should be special autumn fertilizers. The last haircut is carried out around the same month. If the weather is warm and without rain, then it can be delayed by the beginning of November. It is necessary to regularly clean leaves and weeds.
The only rule to be followed in the winter is not to walk on the lawn until snow appears. If the surface of the earth is covered with ice, then it is recommended to get rid of it.
Disease and Weed Control
Weed plants are one of the main problems of the modern lawn owner. In addition to spoiling their appearance, they also destroy cultivated plants. For example, wheat grass, releases toxic substances into the soil. They negatively affect the grass for the lawn, gradually destroying it. In addition, it is weeds that cause the development of fungal diseases. Most insects initially appear on weeds, and then migrate to cultivated plantings.The best way to prevent their occurrence is considered to be the selection and acquisition of only high-quality planting material. If the area is small, then in the spring you should go over it and manually remove weeds. If the site is not small, then use a herbicide. An excellent option would be the drug "Lontrel." Its main feature is that it does not affect lawn grass, but negatively affects the growth of thistle, chamomile and a number of other non-cultivated plants. Moss is another enemy of a well-kept lawn. To remove it, as described above, apply the combing procedure.
The most common diseases are:
- Spotted Fusarium and Pink Snow Mold. The causative agent of this disease is considered a fungus. Signs of its appearance will be a small, up to 30 cm in diameter, spot of pink or brown. In such a place, the grass is moistened, as if there is a coating of mucus on it. You can stop the spread in the early stages through the use of antifungal chemicals.The most common are Switch, Chorus, and Maxim Star.
- Dollar spotting. The first symptoms appear in late summer. The causative agent is another subspecies of the fungus. The main distinguishing feature of this manifestation is the size of the spots. It rarely exceeds 5 cm. The neoplasms themselves have a bright yellow hue. Modern preparations “Topaz” or “Healthy Lawn” will help rid plants of the disease.
- Ophiobolosis. Quite a rare disease. It is also a fungus that appears due to excessive soil moisture. The first signs can be noticed immediately after the shoot of grass. Only the roots are affected by the fungus. They become brittle, and the plant itself gradually turns yellow and disappears. The main danger is that fungicides against this disease are useless.
- Red mold or rust. This lawn fungus provokes the formation of spots of a bright red or rusty hue. Appears due to increased humidity. The ideal way to combat is Topaz fungicide. Some gardeners recommend using urea as a top dressing in order to reduce the risk of infection.
- Tifulez. Also known as gray snow mold. This fungus infects cultivated plants, leaving a white coating on their surface. Appears after the snow melts. You can fight using the drug "Fundazole".
- Powdery mildew. It is also a fungal infection. Signs of occurrence is considered a white coating. It is considered the least dangerous ailment of lawn grass. You can get rid of it with a simple haircut procedure. For prevention, "Fundazole" is used.
All the above rules and tips will help not only to create a beautiful lawn in your personal plot, but also to maintain its beautiful appearance for several years. Equal and green spaces will delight you, your friends and household with their splendor. And any member of the family can take care of him without a lot of effort and time.