Lawn Establishment and Care

Utah Agricultural EducationPlant Science 1

Establishing a New Lawn

Methods of Establishing a new lawn

Seeding SodPlugging andStolonizing

Establishment by seeding.

Advantages Inexpensive

Disadvantages Several Months More effort Greater chance of

failure

Establishment by seeding

Fall Planting Preferred with cool

temperatures for establishment and less competition from annual weeds.

Spring PlantingSimilar to fall but must compete with weeds.

Site Preparation – Debris Removal

Removal of any objects from the top 4 inches of the soil surface.

Site Preparation – Eliminate Vegetation and Weeds

By only tilling the ground you may in fact be spreading perennial weeds. A non-selective contact herbicide should be used in controlling undesired vegetation.

Site Preparation - Grading

Ground should slope away at least 1 percent grade from the home. Make sure that there is a least a 4 inch layer of top soil.

Site Preparation – Soil Amending

Soil test should be made to aid in determining how to Adjust pH Add fertility

correcting chemicals

Incorporate organic amendments

Site Preparation – Surface Preparation

Free of Clods Smooth as

possible Rototill if needed

Lightly raked Rolled to compact

the soil surface.

Seed Selection

Select grass species recommended for your areas from an extension fact sheet.

Seed Selection

Seed Label Information

VarietyGermination RateWeed Seed%Inter Matter %Quantity

Seeding Techniques

Follow the label. Plant on a calm day. Overlap wheel tracks

to prevent missing a strip.

Helps hold the seed in place.

Water and fertilizer included.

Easily can determine areas that are planted.

Postseeding Care

Watering: 3-4 times a day keep soil surface moist.

Fertilize: When seedlings are 1½ -2”

1st Mowing: When seedlings exceed normal height.

Establishment by sodding.

Advantages Can be done anytime

of the year Instant Lawn

Disadvantages Expensive

Site Preparation

The same methods exist for sod as they do for seed.

Laying Sod

Laid as soon as possible.

Stagger the strips Use a lawn roller

when is it laid. Water thoroughly

once laid.

Establish by Stolonizing and Plugging

These methods are used on vigorous grasses such as Bermuda grass and creeping bent grass. (Not common in Utah)