Thursday, October 26, 2006

Article on Lawn Seeding and Other Things!

Here is an interesting Article from www.hobbylawncare.com - check it out! terry

"Seeding your lawn can have great rewards if done properly. The first thing you have to do is to select a grass type that is suited to grow in your area. Then, measure the surface area of your lawn to determine the amount of seed you'll need. The information printed on the seed packs will tell you how much seed is needed per square foot. Take note of this information when you purchase seed at your local nursery. Two or three days before sowing, it's important that you apply granular fertilizer over your lawn.

Next, you have to level the soil in the same manner described in "Sodding Tips". Set your seed spreader at the right setting and fill it with half of the seeds you need. Walk at a steady pace as you start sowing. It's best to move back and forth the length of your lawn in alternating directions. After you've covered the entire lawn surface with half the seeds, walk along the width of your lawn (perpendicular to your previous direction) and sow the rest of the seeds. Doing this will make the seed distribution more even.

Sodding Tips

Some people prefer sodding their lawns rather than sowing grass seeds. Seeding is generally cheaper than sodding, but it takes much longer. With sodding, you get "instant lawn grass". To get a high quality lawn, sodding should be done with great care. Here are some steps you can follow to cultivate a beautiful lawn by sodding:

First, you must select the right grass type for your lawn. Measure the surface area of your lawn to determine the amount of sod you need. You can either pick up the sod yourself or have it delivered to your home. If you pick up the sod, try to lay it out on your lawn that same day. If not, try to store it in a shady place and moisten the sod pieces with a watering can or a hose.


Sod Web Worms


Sod Web Worm and MothSod Web Worms, also known as lawn moths, are usually ½ an inch to an inch long. They infest turf grasses in the United States and can be a major problem for any homeowner. These insects are usually dormant during the daytime, but feed on your grass during the night resulting in brown patches in your lawn. Among the grasses where these insects are most prevalently found are bluegrass, bent grass, buffalo grass, and zoysia grass. Sod Web Worms are not a major problem in the wintertime, however, they can be a major problem during the summer if they are allowed to reproduce and continue to feed on your grass.

If you suspect that your lawn may be infested with Sod Web Worms, there are two courses of action that you can take. You could call and exterminator to rid yourself of these insects, or purchase a product at your local home improvement store that is designed to rid your lawn of Sod Web Worms. Calling an exterminator can be quite expensive so I suggest that you do not do so unless your lawns becomes overly infested with Sod Web Worms, or you cannot seem to get rid of these bugs by yourself.


Winter Lawn Care


Just because your lawn may be covered by snow in the winter, it doesn't mean that you shouldn't take care of it. The appearance of your lawn in the spring also depends on how you tend to it during the winter, so consider these tips when planning for the winter season:

Before winter arrives, make sure that your lawn is completely free of debris, rocks, logs, or dead leaves. Leaving these things on your lawn can leave your grass smothered.

7 Lawn Mowing Tips


Mowing your lawn may seem like a simple task, but it must be done with great care. Practicing proper mowing techniques can make a big difference in your lawn's appearance. Here are some tips that can guide you when you're mowing your lawn:

When your lawn grass reaches a length of over 3 inches, it's time to trim it. Make sure that for each cut, you don't trim more than 1/3 of the grass' height because doing so will wear out your lawn.
Keep in mind that different grass types have different optimal heights. Adjust your lawn mower to cut at a height that is suitable for your type of grass.


Organic Lawn Care


Most homeowners, especially those with pets and kids, are worried about the safety of the products they use on their lawns. Chemical pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides might make your lawn more attractive, but they have negative effects on your family's health and the environment at large. Because of the hazards from commercial lawn care products, most gardeners turn to organic methods. You too can implement organic lawn maintenance in your own home.

Instead of choosing chemical fertilizers, try to purchase slow-release organic fertilizers. They provide nutrients to your grasses without the harmful effects of artificial fertilizers. Another advantage of using an organic fertilizer is that they lessen your need to use pesticides. Their positive effects on your lawn are also more long lasting than conventional fertilizers. Also, when cutting your grass, leave some of the clippings behind. These clippings also serve as natural fertilizers for your lawn.

Hydroseeding


Planting a lawn could be a laborious, time-consuming and expensive process. But with a technology like hydroseeding things have changed for the better; it is catching up because it is easy to use and effective. Simply put, the process involves making a mixture of water, seed, fertilizer, cellulose fiber or wood mulch and occasionally lime, in the right proportions in a tank and spraying it on a prepared lawn area using a hose.

The idea is for the mulch to become a moist coating that retains water for the seeds. Not only that, it helps create a bond with the soil, and protects the seeds from erosion, wind and sunlight which allows them to germinate easily. When the seeds come in contact with water, their germination cycle is triggered and as the seeds sprout, they gain nourishment from the decomposing mulch which adds various nutrients to the soil. The mulch thus does not have to be manually removed and actually adds to the growth process. The grass develops a deep root system and an even leaf-stock pattern, making the lawn lush and carpet-like.







Lawn Maintenance Equipment


Lawn maintenance requires a few select tools that will get your gardening tasks done. Selecting the right equipment for your lawn largely depends on your needs. But whatever tools you choose, you should first invest in the basics.

The most important tool for a typical lawn is the lawn mower. When selecting a lawn mower, take note of its effects on your power consumption, it's cost, it's body weight, and how easy it is to use and maintain. You can select a gas-powered mower or an electric one. Electric mowers tend to be quieter, and they don't produce harmful emissions. However, the length of an electric mower's power cord limits the area it covers.

Lawn Sprinkler Maintenance Tips


Getting high quality sprinklers can be costly - especially if you've hooked up an automatic sprinkler system. Instead of letting your dollars waste away on unchecked equipment, it's best to perform routine maintenance on your existing sprinklers. Not only will they last longer, but they can also give your lawn better, more accurate watering.

First, you have to make sure that your sprinkler heads are free from dirt and glass clippings. These may affect your sprinkler head's movement. Clean out the dirt from inside the sprinkler head as well. You can do this by removing the head and flushing it out with water from the tap or hose. Then, test your sprinklers during the day and watch out for any problems.


Bentgrass


When creating the perfect backyard, it is important to remember that choosing a grass type is a crucial step in the process. While many may feel that all grasses are alike, the truth is that there are many different varieties available and that each has advantages and disadvantages. A good option for any new lawn is bentgrass.Bentgrass

Commonly used exclusively by golf courses, bentgrass is a beautiful looking grass that allows breathtaking fairways and greens to be created. Bentgrass has a very dark green color, often times considered to be a barometer of health with concerns to a lawn, and has terrific texture. As mentioned before, bentgrass can be mowed very short, allowing the grass to seem as if it were an artificial turf. This is a unique feature that most grass types do not share."

Thanks to www.hobbylawncare.com for a wonderful Article. I recommend you visit their Site! terry

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