Rolled lawn: types and rules of care

The lawn is a modern decoration of the personal plot. It is possible to facilitate the work of caring for it thanks to the use of not only natural, but also artificial turf. There are different types of lawn, each of which needs special care.

Organizing a lawn on your site takes more than one year and requires a lot of effort. This is due to the fact that the basis of such a decorative decoration of gardens and lawns - durable turf - will take many years to form, and soft grass will require special care. The use of a roll lawn greatly simplifies the work. In this case, it will be enough just to carefully approach the preparation of the base. Plus, a roll lawn will save you time by getting the perfect high quality green cover in your garden or lawn next year.

Like any surface, a rolled lawn has both advantages and some disadvantages.

To begin with, it is worth mentioning the advantages of this type:

• it is easy to achieve uniformity of sowing, which means that the lawn turns out to be even and beautiful;
• there is an opportunity to get a beautiful lawn with minimal costs;
• the turf used has excellent resistance to both drought and waterlogging;
• in order to lay a rolled lawn, it is not necessary to wait for spring or autumn;
• ease of maintenance lies in the fact that for 2 years after installation, you can not think about weeding;

• has a high resistance to trampling;
• easy to maintain, as it is not susceptible to cold. It is much easier to clean it than grown one;
• easily restore damaged areas;
• helps to hide irregularities, and is also used on difficult terrain;
• a variety of species allows you to choose the best option with the necessary specific properties;
• long service life. So, in the city, a rolled lawn will last about 5-6 years, while in suburban areas it can serve up to 15 years.

Don't forget about the cons. The main drawback is the high cost, but it is worthwhile to understand that these investments are long-term, and they will pay off gradually, as they will save money on further maintenance.

In addition, the following disadvantages are worth mentioning:

• in a darkened area, the grass quickly fades;
• during operation, a felt is formed under the roll, in which harmful bacteria are introduced that can negatively affect the appearance of the entire lawn;
• after the purchase, you will have to spend a lot of money, since it will be very difficult to transport, unload and lay the rolled lawn on your own without damaging it;
• if there is a death of grass in one of the areas, there may be a problem with its recovery.

Various types of rolls are produced on the territory of Russia. The standard size is 4x2 m with a weight of 15 kg.If necessary, you can order a version of a larger size and, accordingly, a heavier one. The rolled cover consists of a plastic honeycomb frame and a specially prepared turf. The length of the sections formed after cutting is 2 m with a thickness of 20-25 cm, their width does not exceed 40 cm.

It is convenient to transport such rolls, roll them on the prepared surface of the site.

The composition should be considered in more detail:

• The first layer is grass, the height of which can reach 4-7 cm.

For a better look, a mixture of herbs is used:

1. Meadow bluegrass;
2. Fescue. Various varieties of this plant remain green even in dry times;
3. Reygras. A fast growing perennial plant.

• The second layer is the frame. In some cases, a plastic honeycomb mesh can be used, which provides special strength to the turf frame due to its flexibility. Felt or burlap can be used. The thickness of such a layer is 0.5-1 cm. Sometimes in the description of the rolled lawn it is indicated that during its manufacture no additional components of the substrate were used, since the sod is distinguished by a high density, forming a natural frame.
• The third layer is directly ground, its thickness is 1.5 cm. The thinner such a layer is, the better. The thing is that there is not much soil as such, mainly the roots of the grass. So, the thinner the layer, the more likely it is that such a lawn will take root in a new place.

Modern lawns sold as rolls can be divided into two broad categories:

• depending on the material used;
• depending on the purpose for which the coverage was purchased.

Using a rolled lawn, you can quickly and efficiently create a green area on your site. Various types allow you to choose exactly the option that will be optimal. Lawn cover can be presented in various types:

• Artificial turf in rolls. An excellent option when you need to refine the site for a while. Most often, artificial turf is used to cover the ground after harvest, to decorate graves, as a cheaper alternative to turf. Modern technologies make it possible to obtain an excellent coverage, which will be visually almost indistinguishable from real grass, and does not fade in the sun;

• Standard. A special coating, at least 2 years old, in which bluegrass is used. The color of the grass is natural dark emerald. It can withstand short-term droughts, however, it is still better not to forget to water the lawn. It tolerates low temperatures well. May be exposed to slight mechanical stress without damaging the cover. It is recommended to use the standard version in open, sunny areas, but not in darkened areas. It is easy to maintain and can be used to decorate different areas. Has a low price;

• Universal. Crafted using bluegrass and fescue seeds. The color of the grass is bright green. It has a very strong, dense and homogeneous structure. It can easily withstand cold winters, spring melt water, and summer drought, but watering and additional protection should not be neglected. The coating does not fade in the sun, it can also be applied in dark areas, since a shade-tolerant variety of grass is used. Fescue always retains a beautiful green color;

• Sports. It has increased strength due to a reliable substrate and a strong root system. Herbs with high elasticity are used. The lawn can withstand various mechanical loads and quickly regains its original shape. It tolerates low temperatures, shade and scorching sun well. Perfectly withstands mowing;

• Elite. When creating it, the seeds of meadow bluegrass are used. It gives the lawn a dark green color.The grass grows quite densely and uniformly. The lawn can withstand short term frost or drought. The resulting "live" roll perfectly tolerates small mechanical loads and can easily adapt to any type of soil. Great for use in playgrounds, as well as for decorating open areas where premium landscape compositions are created. Usually, options are sold with grass no more than 2 years old.

Choosing a lawn in rolls for yourself, you need to pay attention not only to the cutting time, but also to how the rolls are rolled, how the grass is located in them.

It must meet certain standards:

• Standart rolls. The most common of all. Each roll is 2x0.4 m in size, 2-3 cm thick and weighs 18-26 kg;
• Slab rolls. It is often used as a repair material to restore damaged lawns. The dimensions of the canvas are 1x0.4 m with a thickness of 2-3 cm. Such a roll weighs 10-12 kg;

• Smart rolls. It is mainly used in landscaping public areas. This is facilitated by the dimensions of 0.55x26 m with a thickness of 2-7 cm and a weight of 250-360 kg. Due to the large size and weight, you have to use special equipment and hire a team of specialists for laying;
• Big rolls. This roll lawn has really huge dimensions - 1.2x26 m. The options are used to decorate sports fields, various objects or large areas.

If you need to choose a high-quality green rolled lawn, then you should take into account the selection rules so as not to buy material that will become unusable after a while.

Please note the following:

• The grass in the roll should be fresh, and the plateau itself should not be "older" 1 day. It is best to purchase the lawn directly on the farm or on the farm, where it is cut directly on the day of order. If you can see yellowness, and the grass smells sweet, then it is better to refuse to buy;
• Measure the height of the grass. The grass must be trimmed evenly and have a height of 2-4 cm. If the grass is more or less tall, there is a possibility that the seller is trying to hide the existing flaws in the material;

• Look at the grass. It should be fairly dense and thick. Only in this case will she delight from the very moment of installation. So, a high-quality lawn has a density of 50 blades of grass for every 10 square meters. cm;
• The grass should cover the entire surface of the turf. There should be no bald spots and breakouts;
• It is recommended to roll out and immediately roll up the roll, and repeat this action several times. A fresh layer will withstand this test, and the one that has already lain down will break or begin to crumble;
• Explore the root system. It must be strong, there must be plenty of white roots. In this case, the chances that the planting material will take root are higher.

Those who do not want to spend a lot of money on buying a roll lawn should know how to grow such an option at home. It is worth immediately deciding whether a special plastic mesh made of agrofibre will be used to ensure increased strength or not. It is possible to grow a lawn without it, but professionals recommend using such a mesh, especially in places where high loads are expected. The second important factor is the right herb. The purpose of this site is taken into account here.

It is best to use crops such as:

• meadow bluegrass;
• red fescue;
• perennial perennial ryegrass.

It should be borne in mind that from the moment of sowing to full maturation and consolidation of the root system, at least one and a half years will pass. It is best to wait 3 years. Ryegrass is added because it rises quickly, immediately starting to delight with greens. If you plan to transplant the grass in the future, then the layer with ryegrass can be planted even on the sand.

The cultivation technology is as follows:

• The soil is being prepared. The best way to do this is to use a special cultivator or plow. After processing, all large clods are broken up with a rake or harrow.
• The prepared soil is treated with herbicides. Chemicals should be used to destroy all life in the area. This will remove all weeds.
• Laying special mesh. This step can be abandoned if the load on the sod layer is minimal.
• Seeds are being planted.

After planting, do not forget about watering and feeding. In addition, the grass should be trimmed regularly. This will allow you to get an even and dense coverage of the entire area, as well as strengthen the root system. The last haircut should be done in late autumn before the snow falls. If the lawn was done without the use of a mesh, then a procedure such as aeration can be carried out.

It is necessary to fertilize the soil before planting, as well as after 30 days from the date of the installation work. It is recommended to use the Azofoska complex at the rate of 20 g of fertilizer per square meter. m. It is allowed to use urea at the rate of 10 g per 1 sq. m. m. After 1.5-2 months, it is necessary to re-fertilize, and phosphorus fertilizers should be applied in the fall, and nitrogen fertilizers - in the summer.

The lifespan of such garden coverings can vary. It depends not only on the environmental situation, but also on many other factors. So, in urban conditions, the lawn does not require restoration for 5-6 years, while outside the city it can last 10-15 years. The service life can be extended if you properly care for the coating, cut it in a timely manner, apply top dressing and water on time, while protecting it from excessive moisture.

Care begins from the moment of purchase and installation. Only if certain rules are observed will it be possible not only to obtain a high-quality and beautiful lawn, but also to ensure its attractive appearance for a long time. So, it is recommended to water the ground before and after laying the lawn. If the weather is dry and hot, then in the evenings it is worth carefully watering the area to ensure the proper level of moisture, at the same time preventing the grass from withering.

If we talk about watering, then after strengthening the root system in a new place, it will be possible to water the grass 1 time in 10 days, provided that there is very little rainfall, and the soil itself is sandy. If there is more sand under the surface, then water it at least 2 times a week. For even watering, it is best to use a sprayer. It is also recommended to use automatic sprinklers and sprinklers.

The first haircut should be done 2 weeks after planting. It should be carried out against the direction in which the rolls were laid. The blades should be adjusted so that they only cut the top of the grass. After another week, you can repeat the haircut, lowering the knives. Over time, you can lower the knives lower and lower, gradually bringing the length of the grass to the desired level.

If the soil is properly prepared, there will be no weeds for 2 years, but after this period they will inevitably appear. Their timely removal will avoid the formation of bald spots on the finished green lawn. Weed control can be done by weeding or spraying.As soon as the snow melts, you need to feed, and also carry out the first haircut, and you need to start from the tips, gradually lowering the blades until the required length of grass is reached. In different seasons, you need to care for your lawn in different ways:

In March or early April, as soon as the snow melted and puddles appeared, it is necessary to carry out aeration. The easiest way is to make holes in the turf with a pitchfork. This will help the soil absorb moisture better and also improve air access to the roots. In April, it is recommended to fertilize using complex fertilizers. As soon as the ground dries up, the surface of the lawn must be carefully "combed" with a rake, without violating the integrity of the turf base. It is necessary to promptly remove dry grass, as well as fallen leaves and rotted parts of the rolled lawn. In May, it will not hurt to carry out the first mowing of the lawn. It is important that the final length of the grass is about 5-6 cm so as not to cause serious damage to the grass.

The grass should be trimmed to a height of 4 cm. This will avoid increased weed growth. Make sure that the mower blades are always sharp and do not damage the grass. You need to cut the cover at least once every 7 days. After mowing, you should lightly "comb" and water the lawn abundantly. If necessary, you need to fertilize, remove all found weeds. To do this, you can use targeted herbicides.

In the September days, a kind of lawn repair should be carried out. All overgrown, damaged or dead areas are removed. After that, empty places should be sown with grass, you can also buy special repair pieces of turf. In October, it is recommended to fertilize using phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. In November, the last haircut is done, and the grass is left 5 cm high or more.

Try to ensure that the snow is evenly distributed over the entire surface. Do not walk on the lawn until it is completely hidden under the snow cover.

Rolled lawns are represented by a fairly large selection of coverings, from artificial to natural layers. Many buyers note that immediately after purchase and installation, there is an opportunity to enjoy the pleasant green grass that adorns any site. It is noted that it is necessary to correctly draw up a landscape composition, as well as fulfill all the conditions for laying a lawn and caring for it. In this case, the grass will not only be thick, but also quite elastic.

Buyers also talk about shortcomings. First of all, among all the disadvantages, the high cost of such coatings is distinguished, however, the first 1-2 years, caring for it is minimal and practically does not require either effort, time, or additional costs, so that all costs are more than covered. The weight of the rolls is also indicated.

In addition to the listed types of lawns, there are also such unusual options:

• Parterre. Has a presentable appearance. Most often it is used for arranging prominent, significant places. Such a rolled lawn can be laid in front of the facade of the house, for example. Its disadvantages are the laboriousness of styling and care, the need to create special conditions;

• Shadow. This option is often decorated with areas that are constantly in the shade. They use special types of herbs that can withstand difficult conditions, such as lack of sunlight and high humidity. Caring for this lawn is simple, since it does not need to be cut often - 1-2 times a month is enough. Be sure to regularly aerate the soil;

• Mauritanian. It is a lawn with flowers. Perfect for decorating a garden or area in front of the house.For its manufacture, a mixture of grass seeds and perennial flowers with a low stem is used. The use of bulbous plants is allowed. It is important that the flowers bloom all the time, gradually replacing each other. They use calendula, decorative poppies, cornflowers, flax flowers and many others.

For information on how to properly lay the lawn, see the next video.