There's nothing quite like the feeling of walking barefoot on thick, soft grass, or smelling the smell of freshly cut grass. If you want to grow your own grass, start by choosing a type of grass that suits the climate in your area. Plant grass seeds at the end of the dry season or at the beginning of the rainy season so that the grass can thrive. Water the grass carefully, and you'll soon have a healthy, self-grown lawn.
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Part 1 of 4: Choosing a Grass Type
Step 1. Choose a grass variety that suits the climate where you live
Winter grass (such as fescue) will thrive in cold temperatures, but will die if planted in hot areas. There are planting maps on the internet that show color-coded areas for grasses in the cool, warm, or mid zones.
Some types of grass (such as fescue) will turn brown and become dormant in order to survive the hot temperatures. The grass doesn't die and will generally grow back when the temperature cools down
Step 2. Choose grass for warm weather if you live in a hot area
Warm season grasses (e.g. Bermuda) will thrive in summer and spring, but only thrive if the winters are not extreme (if you live in a country with 4 seasons). Consider where you live when deciding what type of grass you want to plant. Otherwise, your grass may die in certain seasons.
Step 3. Choose grass that is resistant to sun or shade
Look at the yard and see if there are many buildings or trees blocking out the sunlight. Observe the lawn throughout the day and determine whether it is mostly sunny, shady, or a mixture of these two conditions. Some types of grass (such as St. Augustine) require full sun, while others do well in shade.
Understand that most grasses need at least 6 hours of full sun a day to thrive
Step 4. Choose grass that is more or less resistant to drought
If your yard is prone to waterlogging, buy grass that grows well in wet soil. Several other species (eg Zoysia) have been developed to be stronger and more resistant to dry conditions. You can change the drainage conditions of the soil by leveling the yard, but it's a good idea to plant a type of grass that is suitable for the rainfall in your area.
Step 5. Choose grass that is resistant or less resistant to stamping
This is actually a lifestyle issue. Decide if the lawn will be used as a place for children to play, for sports, frequent visits by pets, or other activities. Fescue grass and Kentucky Bluegrass will hold up well even when stepped on a lot. If the grass isn't frequent or won't even pass by people, the choice is up to you.
Step 6. Calculate the area of land to be planted with grass
Measure the length and width of the land that will be used for planting grass. Next, multiply the two numbers to find the total area of the square. This is useful for determining the number of seeds to buy. Each type of grass seed has a different coverage. In some types of grass, 450 grams of seeds can cover 60 square meters, while in others it can cover 300 square meters.
Step 7. Purchase the desired grass seed
Purchase grass seeds at a farm store, seed shop, or other trusted source. Combining at least two lanes of different, but the same type of grass (such as Windward fescue and Spartan fescue) can help make the grass resistant to disease and weather. Also check the expiration date on the seed package.
Part 2 of 4: Preparing the Land
Step 1. Test the soil
Purchase a soil test kit at a farm shop, construction store, or online. Collect the required soil sample, mix it with water as directed, and send the sample to the address listed. In general, you will receive the results within 2 weeks. So, you should do this step first before planting. The results will tell if the soil has a good pH (acid and alkaline value) level for growing grass.
- Grass thrives in soil that has a pH between 6 and 7.5. If the soil pH level is below 6, add a small amount of agricultural lime to increase the pH. If the soil pH is more than 7.5, add peat moss to lower the level.
- If you don't have much time, buy a soil test kit that will give you the results right away. This kit allows you to mix water, soil and test capsules to determine phosphorus, nitrogen or pH levels. However, understand that the reliability of these home test kits is often questioned.
Step 2. Prune shrubs and trees in the yard
To allow the lawn to get more sunlight, cut or trim large trees. If you still want to plant trees in your lawn, choose trees that grow upright with a canopy that is easy to control.
Step 3. Remove existing grass slabs
You can lift it with a shovel, but this will take a long time with an uneven finish. Instead, you can rent a lawn mower at a hardware store. Run this tool on the lawn to mow and roll existing grass slabs.
Some people prefer to kill the lawn using a nonselective herbicide. This method can degrade soil quality and make you have to wait a long time for the chemicals to wear off before you can plant
Step 4. Loosen the top layer of soil
Compacted soil can cause grass seeds to die and not grow. Use a plow, hoe, or pointed shovel to loosen the soil and remove rocks and debris. Continue to loosen the soil until all the soil in the top layer (a few centimeters thick) is split into marble-sized or smaller pieces.
If you use manual tools, buy tools with fiberglass handles because they are stronger and less prone to breakage than wood
Step 5. Level the soil
If the soil contains a lot of clay, add about 3 cm of sand over the entire planting area. Sand is useful for improving drainage and making the soil dry faster. You can also add 3 cm of compost. Use a plow or hoe to mix all the ingredients. Run the rake all over the surface of the soil to fill in any holes until the soil is level. This is to prevent water from pooling in one area of the land.
This is also a good time to improve soil conditions, for example by adding peat moss, agricultural lime, sulfur, or basic fertilizer to the area
Part 3 of 4: Planting Grass Seeds
Step 1. Plant grass seeds when the temperature is moderate
The best time to plant grass for survival is at the end of the dry season or the beginning of the rainy season. Do not plant grass when the weather is very cold or very hot. Temperatures of 21-25 degrees Celsius are perfect for growing winter-resistant grasses. Grass that live in hot weather should be planted when the temperature reaches 26-32 degrees Celsius.
- Winter grass is best planted in mid-August to October.
- Summer grass is best planted from March to September.
Step 2. Use a drop speeder or rotary spreader (both are seed spreaders) to plant grass seeds
Put the seeds in the spreader and run the tool across the page. Use a drop spreader for small pages, and a rotary spreader for large areas. All you have to do is place about 15-25 seeds in every square inch (depending on the type of grass). When finished, take a rake and push the seeds into the soil to a depth of 6 cm.
Sow the seeds in the amount as needed. Excessive sowing of seeds in an area can make the grass thin because it has to compete for nutrients
Step 3. Water the soil sufficiently
Use a fan or oscillating sprinkler to spread the water throughout the lawn. Water the lawn for about 10 minutes or so. The goal is just to moisten the soil, not get it soaking wet. Repeat this watering method 2 or 3 times per day for the first 8-10 days until the grass seeds sprout.
Step 4. Protect the newly planted lawn
Grass seeds and shoots are very fragile during the first few weeks of growth, and don't grow well if people or pets step on them. Put up warning signs or flags, surround the yard with rope, or place a temporary fence to protect the lawn.
You can also cover the yard with straw, seed starter mat (seedling paper), or seed blanket (seedling sheet) so that the seeds don't get blown away by the wind. It is also useful for preventing weed growth or soil loss
Part 4 of 4: Taking Care of the Grass
Step 1. Water the lawn with plenty of water, but not too often
When the grass has reached a height of more than 3 cm, you can water it once a day. Try to water it in the morning to reduce evaporation. Watering plants at night increases the risk of mold growing on the lawn. Also adjust the watering schedule to weather conditions. Do not water the grass immediately after a storm.
Step 2. Make the pruning with a sharp lawn mower
When the grass has reached a height of 10 cm, it is time to do the first pruning. Adjust the mower blade so that the engine only cuts grass at a height of 3 cm. Check the sharpness of the cutting blade. If the blade is blunt, it can tear the grass up by pulling the roots, not trimming it.
- Leave the weeds where they are. Don't pick it up and throw it away. The grass clippings will serve as natural mulch and make the grass grow better.
- Do not mow the grass more than a third of its height. Grass leaves are needed for photosynthesis. If you trim it too short, it can weaken the grass or die.
Step 3. Get rid of weeds
You can spray a weed repellent on the problem area. However, you should just dig up any existing weeds. Take a shovel and dig 5-8 cm of soil around the weed. Remove soil and weeds in one large lump. Wait for the grass to grow and fill the area.
Step 4. Apply fertilizer 6 weeks after the grass grows
This is a general rule, unless the temperature in your area is very high or low. If this happens, fertilize the following season. Use a basic fertilizer with a high nitrogen content. Fertilize the grass 1 to 4 times a year, according to the directions on the package.
Step 5. Take immediate action if pests or diseases are present
Keep an eye on the grass and watch for insects. Some pesticides (such as caterpillar repellent) can be used to control pest infestations if applied carefully and at the right time. Also pay attention to whether the color or texture of the grass changes. Random brown or white spots can be a sign of fungus, while browning of the leaves is usually due to a lack of water in the grass.
