Q&A for How to Grow a Lawn Easily

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  • Question
    What types of grass are best for a lawn?
    Benjamin Hansen
    Licensed Landscape Contractor
    Benjamin Hansen is a Landscape Contractor and the Owner of Artscape Gardens, a boutique landscaping company in Los Angeles, California. With over 12 years of experience, Benjamin specializes in transforming properties into aesthetic, functional, and drought-tolerant oases. Benjamin uses color scheme, dimension, and water conscious spaces to inspire the design and installation of soft scape, hardscape, patios, pathways, irrigation, drainage, fencing, concrete, lighting, and electrical work. Artscape Gardens covers all areas of the C-27 landscape contractor classification.
    Licensed Landscape Contractor
    Expert Answer
  • Question
    A significant number of other instructions include using a roller on the new area both just before seeding, and then again just after a light rake-over of the sown seed. Your instructions does not mention using a roller to "firmly" pack the soil for good "seed contact." Roll or not?
    Anthony "TC" Williams
    Experienced Landscaper
    Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas.
    Experienced Landscaper
    Expert Answer
    Yes, the use of a roller to pack the soil before seeding is highly advisable.
  • Question
    How long do you keep the straw cover over newly-growing grass?
    Anthony "TC" Williams
    Experienced Landscaper
    Anthony "TC" Williams is a Professional Landscaper in Idaho. He is the President and Founder of Aqua Conservation Landscape & Irrigation, an Idaho Registered Landscape Business Entity. With over 21 years of landscaping experience, TC has worked on projects such as the Idaho Botanical Garden in Boise, Idaho. He is a Idaho Registered Contractor and a previously Licensed Irrigator in the State of Texas.
    Experienced Landscaper
    Expert Answer
    Wait until seedling germination is well established, at least 3 weeks. Use a leaf blower to gather the straw off the new planting as a rake may tear the new growth out.
  • Question
    Do you have any tips for keeping your lawn healthy and green?
    Matt Bowman
    Gardener & Owner, Tradition Market & Garden
    Matt Bowman is a Gardener, Landscaper, the Owner of Georgia Farm to Table, and the Owner of Tradition Property Services in Atlanta, Georgia. With over 20 years experience, he specializes in organic gardening, landscape maintenance, handyman services, homecare services, and supplying Christmas trees. Matt earned a BA in Journalism from the University of Georgia.
    Gardener & Owner, Tradition Market & Garden
    Expert Answer
    Keeping a lawn looking great requires diligence, and you often have to use chemical fertilizers and weed control. In general, though, to have healthy grass, it needs sun and enough water to stay healthy, but not so much that the roots stay soggy all the time.
  • Question
    How much soil is needed to start a grassy lawn?
    Community Answer
    This depends on the size of your lawn. Plan on having about 5 inches of soil leveled out throughout the lawn. This should be deep enough for you to rake, plant, and grow grass.
  • Question
    Can lawn grow in the shade?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the kind of grass you choose. There is a huge variety of grasses available, each with its own sun requirements. If you are growing a lawn in a shady area, choose a grass type that has high shade tolerance, such as Buffalo grass or Griffin Weeping grass, both of which make ideal lawns if tended to properly.
  • Question
    Should sand be mixed with soil to make soil more manageable?
    Community Answer
    Only if you have heavy clay to start with. Otherwise, the addition of organics is in the long term more beneficial, and costs about the same. If you have very sandy soil, add some clay. Good, loamy soil has both sand and clay, with plenty of organics and carbon in it.
  • Question
    How much is recommended for one hectare?
    Community Answer
    Seed wholesalers will have cultural notes according to each variety which will generally give sowing, germination and purity rates. The ideal amount can be anywhere from two to three kilograms per acre to 10-25 kilograms.
  • Question
    What can be done to grow a lawn that is full of stones and bricks?
    Community Answer
    Remove the stones and bricks. Assuming you are starting the lawn from scratch, cultivate it 3-6 inches deep. Then, using a garden rake, rake out all the rocks and bricks so the surface is smooth and rock-free. After that you can proceed through the steps in the article.
  • Question
    Does the grass have to be moist?
    Community Answer
    It depends on the grass. Most grasses don't require any effort to keep them moist on your part, but you could water your grass if the dry season is causing it to appear brown.
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