A beautiful, well-kept and lush green turf is certainly a showcase for the home and a dream for many garden owners. The first step to achieving such an effect is, of course, correctly establishing a lawn. Several methods are available, so everyone can decide on the one that best suits their needs and capabilities. However, there are several universal rules that apply to every method.
New lawn establishment: basic information
Firstly, a lawn is established after building garden architecture elements, laying surfaces, installing systems and planting plants. Freshly sown grass is very delicate, so it could be destroyed by frequent trampling or by running wheelbarrows over it.
Secondly, regardless of the chosen method, the ground must be properly prepared. First, the soil should be dug over, removing all debris such as stones, rubble or weed roots and rhizomes. This is also a good time to enrich the soil with valuable components. Depending on its type, we can add quartz sand (heavy, clay soils) or horticultural peat (sandy soils). This is also a good time to test the pH level. If its value is below 5.5, liming the soil is necessary. Grass will not grow well on soil that is too acidic! Finally, the area for the future lawn should be levelled and a pre-sowing fertiliser applied about a week before the planned establishing a lawn.
Thirdly, regardless of the chosen method, remember to ensure proper and regular lawn watering! After establishing the lawn, it should be watered daily (or even twice a day) so that the substrate remains slightly moist at all times. Do not allow it to dry out, as the sown grass or laid turf will not take root, and all the hard work will be wasted.
The principles discussed above apply to each of the three methods of lawn establishment. Below, we will discuss each of them so that, after reading, you can decide on the method that best suits your needs.
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Sowing lawn grass seeds is the most popular and also the cheapest method for lawn establishment. The first step is to choose the appropriate seed material, selected for the conditions prevailing on a given lawn. Grass can be sown by hand or using a special spreader. The latter method works much better, as it ensures fast and even seed distribution. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for sowing by hand. Next, cover the seeds with approximately a two-centimetre layer of soil or garden peat and use a garden roller.
However, in addition to a series of prior preparations, this method of establishing a lawn also involves a significant number of duties after sowing. It is necessary to monitor the growth process, ensure proper lawn watering, and overseed in areas where seeds have been pecked by birds or displaced due to strong winds or heavy rain.
Germination begins approximately two weeks after sowing. Once germinated, you should not walk on the grass until the first mowing. Depending on the selected mixtures of species and varieties, the entire process can take up to several months before achieving a full, green and dense lawn.
Lawn from turf rolls
Ready-made turf is the most expensive of the three methods mentioned, but the effect of a beautiful lawn will be immediate. It is nothing more than a carpet consisting of beautiful grass that has been grown and cared for by professionals in this field for approximately 18 months. Ready-made turf can be laid at practically any time during the grass growing season, from March to November (except for periods of extreme heat).
However, laying turf is not as simple as it seems at first glance! Subsequent strips should be laid tightly next to each other so that no gaps are formed. They should be placed at half the length of those laid previously (resembling bricks in a wall). Each strip of grass must be firmly pressed down and, once laid, rolled with a garden roller.
As mentioned earlier, turf lawns also require proper lawn watering. However, if you want a lawn where your children or pets can play just two weeks after installation – ready-made turf will be the most suitable method. Not to mention that you will achieve the effect of a beautiful, lush lawn immediately after installation!
Hydroseeding
Although hydroseeding is a little-known method for establishing a home lawn, it definitely deserves attention. It is a fully biological – and ecological – mixture of grass seeds, cellulose and wood mulch, water and fertilisers that enrich the soil and help the grass take root and grow healthily. We particularly recommend hydroseeding for people who need to sow grass in unfavourable terrain, such as slopes, ditches or embankments.
However, hydroseeding is a more expensive method than traditional grass sowing and cannot be done independently. It requires a qualified worker who will select the appropriate mixture of ingredients, optimal for the given soil. What’s more, specialist equipment is necessary, namely a hydroseeder.
This method yields results faster than traditional sowing. A green carpet will appear approximately 3–4 weeks after the treatment. Although we do not have to worry as much about birds stealing the seeds, hydroseeding also requires regular lawn watering.
How to establish a lawn?
As you can see, each of the presented methods has its own advantages and disadvantages. The choice of method for establishing a lawn lies with the property owner or investor. It all comes down to the budget reserved for this purpose and the timeframe in which you want to have a finished lawn. If you do not require an immediate effect and do not want to spend too much on this goal, a lawn from seed seems to be the most favourable option, although it involves a significant amount of work. For those who cannot wait to see a green carpet outside their window, we recommend a turf lawn. It is the most expensive method, but the desired effect is achieved immediately. However, if your lawn is located on a large slope, consider the hydroseeding method. If you have any doubts regarding the chosen method, you can contact us!
