Rai grass is often grown in cold climates because of its ability to withstand low temperatures. This grass is usually planted when other, more permanent types of grass die. Unlike other grasses that turn dormant after being exposed to cold weather, rai grass can still grow thick and green during the winter. Planning the planting area properly and carefully, preparing the soil conditions, and planting rai grass seeds can help you grow a fertile grassy area.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Preparing the Planting Area
Step 1. Choose the right time
It is very important to plant rai grass in the right season for the seeds to thrive. The air temperature should reach 16 °C to 25 °C during the day. It's best to plant this grass when the temperature is at that point and it should drop in the next few weeks (planting raisin seeds before the weather turns hot will kill them).
Step 2. Choose a type of rai grass
Rai grass is available in two versions – seasonal grass and permanent grass. Seasonal grass seeds don't germinate as well as permanent grass, so you'll need to use more seeds to get the green look typical of permanent grass. You can also use lawn slabs, which are ready-made grass sheets that you can buy from grass seed sales centers to place on the prepared area.
Step 3. Add soil as needed
When planting weeds or installing ready-made grass slabs, you will need to increase the soil in the planting area so that the depth is suitable for the weeds – about 9 to 12 cm. You can also add humus to fill in areas that are not deep enough, but the composition of the clay should not be more than 20% and should not contain herbicides.
Step 4. Mix the fertilizer into the soil
This will give the soil the nutrients it needs for the rai grass to thrive. Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are the best options to use when growing rye grass.
Method 2 of 4: Planting Rai Grass Seeds
Step 1. Plow the soil to encourage new growth
If you are planting rai grass in new soil, you must first plow it. This method will drain oxygen into the soil. The plowing will also break up the clod of soil so that the leek seeds can grow. Plow the soil evenly to ensure the raisin seeds grow well.
Step 2. Trim any remaining grass if necessary
This is especially important if you are growing raisins in a permanently planted area – an area where grass or other plants grow at any other time. Trimming any remaining grass as short as possible will give the leek seeds more room to grow in the soil.
Step 3. Use more seasonal grass seeds
If you are using the seasonal raisin seed variety, you will need to use more seed than the permanent variety. You usually need about 7 to 9 kilograms of seed for an area of 90 square meters when using seasonal rye grass seeds.
- Permanent seed is usually sown as much as 5 kg per 90 square meters.
- The amount used remains the same when planting seeds in areas that have been overgrown (overseeding) or when planting in bare soil.
Step 4. Divide the seed in half
You must divide the number of seeds used into two parts. Spread half of it on one side and spread the rest in a straight line in the direction of the first planting. This will ensure that the seeds are evenly distributed.
Depending on the size of the planting area, you may need to use a push spreader or a hand spreader to spread the grass seed. Hand spreaders are usually used in small areas that have a lot of detail, while push spreaders are more suitable for larger areas or new ground in large open areas
Step 5. Plant the seedlings into the soil with a rake
Use a metal rake to dip the seeds into the soil so that the seeds really go into the soil and don't just spread over the surface. Use the harrow slowly – you don't want to move the seeds too much and damage the soil.
If you are planting seeds in an area that is already overgrown with grass, planting seeds with a rake may be difficult. If you can't do it, that's okay. Seeds that have been planted – even if they are shallow – will still protect them from being disturbed
Step 6. Water the planted area as soon as possible
After you've sown the seeds, water the planting area until it's damp. This will soften the soil and make it easier for the seeds to germinate. Rai grass seeds will also go deeper into the ground.
Method 3 of 4: Installing Rai Grass Slabs
Step 1. Buy a fresh slab of grass
The slab of grass used should not be cut more than 24 hours before planting. If you can't plant it right away, store it in a cool, dark place so it doesn't dry out.
Step 2. Moisten the soil
The soil used to plant slabs of rai grass should feel slightly moist. This will help the grass to take root, as well as ensure it doesn't dry out.
Step 3. Submerge the grass slab into the ground
Roots on grass slabs will thrive more if they are buried in the ground. This means that the edges of the slab should not be perfectly straight. Install one row of slabs, then place the second row so that the edges of the slabs in the first row touch the center of the slabs in the second row.
You may need to trim the lawn to make sure it fits in tight areas or is positioned properly. Use pruning shears to trim the lawn as needed. They don't have to be the same size as you'll be filling the rest of the space with soil, but make sure they don't differ that much
Step 4. Insert a peg into the slab installed in the descending area
If you are installing a new slab of grass in a downhill area, the installation method is the same as for installing on a flat area. Pierce the soil slab with garden pegs to keep the soil slab from moving until the roots grow.
Step 5. Fill in the gaps between the soil slabs with new soil
This prevents the edges of the soil from drying out, as well as helps the roots grow uniformly without gaps for a neater appearance of the growing grass.
Step 6. Use a roller to water the lawn
After installing the grass slab and filling in the gaps, water the lawn with a garden roller that is one third filled. This method also helps smooth out the grass slab and soil, and makes overgrown grass look neater.
Method 4 of 4: Taking Care of Rai Grass
Step 1. Water the grass regularly
Until the grass roots sprout – about three days for slabs and two weeks for grass seeds – water the planting area two to three times a week. The grass should feel damp, but not soggy. When a puddle appears after watering the soil, you can stop your regular watering and only do it when needed.
Step 2. Add a high nitrogen fertilizer
Providing a high-nitrogen fertilizer can help the growth of rai grass. This fertilizer is also suitable for overseeding purposes if the planting area is overgrown with grass and will later be used to grow vegetables.
Step 3. Mow the grass regularly
Rai grass grows so fast that you will need to trim it several times a week. You must use the high setting on the lawn mower you are using.
Tips
- Rai grass is not permanent so it must be replanted every year.
- Rai grass will reach the end of its growth period around the end of May. At this point, don't water the grass for a few days. This method will make the rai grass dormant so that permanent summer grass will grow.
- As with any grass, you should trim the raisin at least once a week during its growing season. Trimming the grass at the highest setting on a lawn mower will give the best results on this type of grass.
- Plant rai grass near the vegetable garden to keep pests away from the area.
Warning
- Rai grass thrives in areas that don't need frequent weeding or in areas where other plants grow in a short amount of time. Do not plant it in an area where flowers grow.
- Since hemp grass often grows in thin clusters, trimming it too short will make the grass look uneven. Experiment with different lawn mower settings to get the best look.
