How to make a lawn with your own hands?
Landscaping plays an important role in the arrangement of the local area. Having a green lawn will always make the site more attractive and livelier. Today, different types of lawns are offered, and you can create such beauty with your own hands, if you study the issue in more detail. In order for the result to be positive, it is necessary to perform a number of actions, listening to the recommendations of specialists. The lawn will look beautiful and will bring freshness to the design, which is important.
Arrangement of different types of lawns
To decorate the exterior, you can choose an emerald lawn, which will emphasize the neatness and taste of the owners of the site. However, to get such beauty, you need to carefully try and regularly care for the lawn, otherwise it will not only lose its attractiveness, but also perish. The basis of any lawn is grass, which is offered in different versions, each type has its own characteristics, color and care features. It is imperative that you study these types in order to find the one that is right for the climate in your region. Flowering lawns are offered in the following varieties: meadow, non-grass and Moorish. These varieties are based on cereals. To ensure flowering, cereals are diluted with other plants.
Meadows belong to the category of cultivated territory, which includes plants that were selected in a certain ratio. The neighbors of cereals are chamomile, yarrow, daisy and other decorative flowers. In this case, the grass plays the main role, and at different periods of time the plants either enhance or reduce their decorative function, changing the palette. Moorish ornament is created from annual plants that do not need to be trimmed. The dominant role is given to flowers, and cereals are in a smaller composition together with undersized species. It is important that flowering plants can be in their colorful state for a long time. Therefore, cornflower, linen, calendula, mattiola, etc. are used for the Moorish ornament.
The main feature of such a lawn is lush flowers, so if you want the grass to look thick and spread gently over the site, then you can safely consider this option.
A non-grass lawn can be called non-standard, since it consists of ground cover varieties. To get such a plot, you will need to invest a lot of money and effort, because it takes several years to grow. However, many choose this option, as the lawn looks amazing as a result. Of course, the most popular are grass lawns, which come in different shades of green. Their characteristics may differ slightly, for example, you can walk on one grass, and some plants do not tolerate this. The most resistant lawn is considered to be an ordinary lawn, which consists of tough and rough-looking grass. Such a site is easy to care for, it does not require a long weeding, therefore it is most often used in summer cottages.
If you are interested in an ideal front lawn, it is better to choose a parterre lawn. This is tall grass and delicate flowers, with proper care the area looks luxurious. A lawn like this can be set up in an open area, but it is important to make sure that neither pets nor people will step on the plants.As for hilly terrain, you can use mixtures that contain herbs with an extensive root system (it does not allow plants to be washed out of the soil). Such a coating is considered decorative, you will not have to take care of it for a long time, so you can safely choose this type of landscaping.
Sports lawns include not only traditional grains, but also those that are abrasion resistant. This is an expensive coating, which is most often chosen for playgrounds and play areas or places where people are actively walking.
Step-by-step instructions for soil preparation
In order for virgin land to turn into a beautiful lawn, you must follow certain rules and follow step-by-step instructions, only in this way the result will exceed all expectations. Here's a detailed guide to help you get the job done at the highest level on your own, after which you can enjoy the stunning view.
Determination of fertility and acidity
This is the first stage in preparing the soil for planting a lawn. First, you need to study the composition of the soil in order to understand which grass and plants are suitable for such conditions. If the soil is clayey, the lawn will not be able to grow easily on such soil. This will require more serious and lengthy preparation. It is necessary to fill the area allotted for the lawn with fertile soil with clay or make a pit, which is then filled with good soil. The first option would be the first, however, raising the lawn is not always convenient, as there may be problems with the drainage system, and you will also need to install reinforced curbs. Therefore, in this case, it is better to remove the clay soil 20 cm thick and bring in the earth. Some experts recommend laying geotextiles to prevent weeds from germinating, so you will save time on weeding.
The indicator of the level of acidity of the soil plays an important role. Lawn mixtures include different grasses that coexist on neutral ground, however, to get a good result, you need to check the indicator on the territory. For this, litmus is used. The paper is placed on the ground. It remains to wait for the color, after which, using the color chart on the package, determine the acidity of the soil. If the indicator is high, lime must be added to the ground, and with an alkaline reaction, crushed peat will be required. After that, it is necessary to loosen the earth so that the acidity returns to normal. Adding a fertile layer is an important step in site preparation. To do this, you need a light and loose soil, which is distributed in a layer of 6-10 cm throughout the entire area where the grass will be sown.
It is necessary to level the soil, it is advisable to make a slight slope towards the fence so that the lawn does not flood in rainy seasons.
Clearing stones and weeds
For the land to be fertile, you need to make sure that there is nothing superfluous in it. When digging up the soil, it will be easy to find stones and foreign objects to remove. If imported soil is used, a coarse mesh should be used to extract roots, branches and stones. In the overgrown area, it will be necessary to carry out serious weeding: get rid of excess vegetation and uproot the weeds so that they do not appear again.
Ramming and rolling
This is the last step in preparing the soil before the next step. The soil must be compacted so that it does not slip underfoot, but remains always even and strong. During this procedure, irregularities can be detected in order to correct. If it is possible to use the ice rink, then this is very good, because the work will be done faster. Since not everyone has such a technique, you can use an iron pipe, inside which a rod is threaded and handles cling. Such a homemade ice rink must be dragged through the site, tamped down and checked if it falls through.It is important to note that pits and humps may appear during rolling, so the excess can be removed by using them in the missing places.
What fertilizers should be applied?
To improve the properties of the soil and make it nutritious, it is important to use certain fertilizers. This procedure can be carried out at different times. If imported soil up to 10 cm thick was poured onto ordinary soil, fertilizers will not be needed. But most often they are recommended to be used to activate the development of vegetation. As soon as the imported soil has been scattered over the area, it is necessary to scatter fertilizers, and then level the area using a rake. The dry product can be mixed with the seeds and then sown. There are fertilizers on the market that need to be diluted with water and watered over the soil. The last option is the most practical and optimal. Through watering, an even distribution of nutrients can be achieved.
As for the choice of a particular type of fertilizer, you need to know the composition of the soil and its acidity. Some types of seeds prefer complex minerals, and it is important to take into account the sowing and preparation season. When it comes to early spring, experts recommend the use of nitrogen fertilizers, thanks to which the rapid growth of grass is ensured, and in the fall it is better to choose potassium and phosphorus, as they help the lawn to endure frost more easily.
If the soil has been enriched with vermicompost, the amount of mineral fertilizers must be reduced.
Seed planting stages
In order for the future site to look beautiful and presentable, it is necessary to properly sow the area, carefully choosing the time for work.
Timing
You can sow the lawn in the spring and until late autumn, if you follow the recommendations and know several features of the procedure. If the work is carried out at the beginning of the warm season, the plants will have enough time before frost, as they will have time to harden and grow. For such a planting, a large number of seeds will be required, so you need to increase stocks by 20%. This is important so that in the process of the struggle for survival, the most resistant and viable plants remain, which will be preserved during frosts.
In the summer, you can take the usual amount of seeds so that the plants grow freely and gain strength at maximum speed. TOOf course, many people also practice autumn planting, but this is more true for the southern regions. At this time of the year, high humidity, and this will allow the plants to gain strength and easily overwinter. For an autumn planting, it is better not to choose sloping areas, since during the rains the top layer will be washed off, and with it the grass.
Seed selection
This should be done immediately after preparatory measures with the soil. Do not pick the first seeds that come along, as they may not grow in your area. A good choice is ryegrass, which is in high demand. Its main advantage is that it grows well. For the middle lane, you can choose herbal mixtures in which there are field fescue and meadow bluegrass. For a summer cottage, this option is best suited.
Sowing
It is not necessary to calculate the seed consumption yourself, since the necessary information is already indicated on all packages. But you need to know the size of the area that will be sown in order to determine the total amount. The planting material can be split into two parts so that it first moves through the area in one direction and then moves perpendicularly. If the owner has special equipment at his disposal, it is possible to use it, but there is no need to purchase the equipment for one time.
The first step is to slightly loosen the ground, which was previously compacted. To do this, it is enough to use a rake, going over the top layer. The seeds are collected in a bucket and scattered over the surface.You can make a seeder with your own hands from a tin can, in which it is enough to drill a few holes. Once this stage is over, cover the seeds with soil. For the first method, the same rake is used, but much can remain outside, and the birds will quickly peck the seeds. Therefore, it is better to resort to the second option - to sprinkle the remnants of the imported earth with a thickness of 3-5 mm. This will cover the seeds of the plants, and you will ensure the best seedlings.
Features of laying roll lawn
As mentioned above, in hilly areas where the terrain is more difficult, it is recommended to use a roll lawn that can withstand unstable weather and is not afraid of excessive moisture. The process of covering an area with such a product is quite laborious, but you will be rewarded for your efforts, because the result will be amazing. You will need to calculate the consumption of rolls in order to stock up on a sufficient amount. It is necessary to cut and roll up the lawn, then lay it on the previously prepared soil. It is important to note that the rolls should be used within 72 hours after purchase so that they do not lose their presentability and be fruitful. This procedure is best done in early spring, choosing the optimal weather conditions.
The layers of the lawn spread in a checkerboard pattern, do not stretch them - it is enough to press the joints tightly. During this, small hills may form, but when tamped, these irregularities will go away, and the joints will remain tight. If during installation there are still pits and bumps, it is enough to carefully lift the roll, fill the place, level the defect and return the layer to its place. To avoid pushing through the lawn, use wide planks. The edges of the rolls are covered with earth. The final stage consists in tamping, here you will need the same roller that needs to go across the joints.
Irrigation
Once the lawn has been sown or planted, watering should be done to kickstart the development of the plants. It is important that watering is moderate, as you can exceed the soil moisture indicator - and all efforts will be useless. Therefore, the flow of water must be thin. If a hose is used, a nozzle can be installed. The first shoots are expected after a week, but they will not be uniform, because the herbal mixture contains plants with different germination periods.
The grass will rise up to 20 cm within a month. The automatic irrigation system will be an excellent assistant in creating your own lawn, moreover, you do not have to constantly spend time on the irrigation process. It is necessary to spray water, as this will help to achieve soil moisture at a depth of 6-10 cm. Do not fill the area from above, as the liquid will displace oxygen, as a result of which the plants will begin to die.
Drip irrigation is the best way to water any lawn.
Further care
For a lawn to be beautiful and attractive, you need to carefully monitor its condition. Basic care includes timely watering, periodic mowing, and weed removal. Heavy rains bring the problem of lack of oxygen, so during this period it is better to aerate the lawn. For the procedure to be successful, the same roller is used as during tamping, but it must have points that will puncture the soil. So oxygen will flow into the soil, the plants will begin to develop better.
If the first shoots have become noticeable, you can be proud of your work, which was done successfully. But to preserve the appearance of the lawn, certain manipulations are required. During the first year, the grass will be tender and somewhat vulnerable, since the root system has not yet had time to become strong and deep. Therefore, you should not put stress on the lawn - you can protect the young grass. If there are balding areas, it is enough to sow the seeds, and soon everything will look even.
Lawn mowing is important, but stressful for the plants. Therefore, it is recommended to cut a third of the stem during mowing, regardless of the height of the grass. Many people have a question: "When to use the lawn mower?" As soon as the grass grows 10 cm, you can go for a haircut. It is important to make sure the knives are sharp, otherwise they will rip shoots out of the ground and the result will be disappointing. After mowing, the plants will sprout additional shoots, begin to bush, and each time the lawn will become thicker due to the density of the planting.
The calm period begins in the winter, but here you need to be careful not to let the grass freeze. To do this, it is enough to protect the site from stress, refrain from walking on the grass and, if necessary, remove snow, which may be too thick and exert pressure.
Advice
There are several guidelines that can be followed to improve lawn cultivation and development. In spring, the root system can rot due to stagnant moisture, and untimely snow removal also leads to this. To prevent such a problem, you need to pierce the old areas with a pitchfork so that the water is quickly absorbed. Some people make a drainage pad, but this option is suitable for large areas.
Fertilization of plants with mineral fertilizers, which contain nitrogen, is carried out in early spring. As soon as the soil is completely dry, you need to walk around the site with a soft rake that will remove debris and dried blades of grass. During this period, bald spots may be found, so you can sow the seeds. The implementation of all these recommendations in stages will allow you to achieve stunning landscape design, which will become the pride of the local area. In summer, it is necessary to monitor the level of soil moisture, as the sun can negatively affect the grass and flowering plants. Also at this time, the lawn begins to grow actively, so you will need to mow. To prevent the grass from turning yellow, it is better to water it in the early morning and evening, otherwise the sun will scorch the wet shoots and destroy them.
Despite the fact that arranging a lawn may seem too time-consuming and costly, this activity will bring good results if you follow all the rules and technology. You will need to make every effort at the initial stage, after which it is enough just to maintain the beauty and liveliness of the vegetation, and everything will be in order. In addition, in a few years a boring flower bed will turn into a chic carpet that will delight the eye and cause pride in its work.
For information on how to make a lawn with your own hands, see the next video.
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