Tips for starting a new lawn

The practice of establishing new turf or lawns around buildings was initiated originally for several reasons, including the removal of potential fire hazard from dried foliage. Brush and tall grasses also provided places for enemies to hide, which was undesirable. To hack down the tall grasses was deemed necessary to protect both village and castle.

The modern home remains every man's castle, and a lush, green lawn surrounding it is a declaration of personal space, or has become a modern a statement both of personal pride and a desire to stay in touch with nature, even if somewhat remotely.

In any case, a beautiful lawn contributes to the value of real estate and it matters not whether it is constructed by seed or sod, for when started correctly and well maintained, a new lawn can be the source of much satisfaction.
Here are some tips for starting a new lawn.

If you are establishing a brand new lawn in a new subdivision, there may be nothing a moonscape with wood trash and piles of mineral subsoil from the excavation of foundations.

1. Outline the area you wish to turn into a lawn, and evaluate it for trash, rocks, and other potential impediments to construction of a suitable lawn.

2. Evaluate the grading for potential drainage problems. Raise grades where required to ensure a slope away from buildings. Establish a French drain if necessary.

3. Evaluate the quality of the soil on site. Is it reasonably good loam soil, or is it hard packed sand, gravel, or brick-hard raw clay? Some grasses such as fescues can grow on poor soils, but for a better lawn, good quality soil will help those same grasses thrive. Note: If you intend to use only the existing, poor soil, you will need to correct hard, sandy soil with a heavy application of peat moss and organic compost, and remedy heavy clay conditions with the application of both sand and a heavy application of organic matter. Level and cultivate and working all added materials into the soil uniformly. Otherwise, import good quality topsoil that has been screened to remove stones, rocks, and other trash.
Colour of topsoil is not critical for grass, although some suppliers may try to convince you otherwise, depending on what they have available.

4. Level the ground site using power equipment and a box scraper as necessary. Spread the topsoil evenly to a depth of 3 to 4" and adjust to grade in preparation for either seed or sod.

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