Planting Grass
Planting Sod Grass
Lawns can be grown by planting sod grass. If planting a lawn or renovating an existing one, it is important to prepare the area properly before planting grass. This will help the grass lawn become established quicker. Grass planting done correctly will give a good foundation, for grass lawn to establish a root system that will take hold. Maintaining a newly planted lawn after placement is needed for it to grow properly and stay healthy.
Preparation For Planting Grass
When planting sod grass, grading is beneficial for proper level surface. This is helpful in making sure new sod will grow to it’s full potential, giving you the results you want to see. Proper grading also assures good drainage after lawn is established, to avoid any flooding that can occur during heavy rainfall.
Before planting grass remove all debris such as rocks, dead grass and weeds. If it is a new home then make sure all construction debris is removed before you begin to install your new lawn.
For existing homes that need small renovation, a shovel and rake is all you need to remove the area needed to be done. For larger area’s a machine such as a “Sod Remover” can be helpful in clearing and preparing for a new lawn. Remember, these machines can be heavy and need to be transported from the rental center to your home and back. I recommend using a pickup truck. Always have someone help with the lifting, to be safe.
Another way to prepare before planting grass is to use a” Grass Killer”. This chemical will eliminate all existing grass and weeds. You will still have remove rocks and dead grass and weeds, but will save you a lot of digging. Just rake out the dead material and rocks and your done and ready to go! Remember, All grass and weed killers are mostly a” Non-Selective Herbicide”. This means they will kill everything. Avoid any Over Spraying and always follow the directions on the label.
Proper Care After Planting Sod Grass
After planting sod grass make sure it is watered right away for the root system to start to take hold. Water regularly during the first 30 days, Then you can continue to water on your scheduled watering days . Since water restrictions need to be followed, it is recommended to contact your local county extension service for regulations on newly planted turf.
Fertilize newly planted sod one week after installation. It is recommended to apply a slow release granular fertilizer to avoid any damage to turf. Follow directions on label. Water in fertilizer as soon as possible. Mow new turf after it takes hold and is growing, reaching the maximum height required. Mow lawn at a higher level to avoid damage. Do Not apply Weed Control until 30 days after planting grass.
A healthy beautiful lawn always starts with a good foundation. This will ensure your grass will be grown to it’s full potential. Planting grass correctly will help in having a lush green and healthy lawn you can be proud of.
Keep on Growing!
Kurt Kmetz
February Florida St. Augustine Grass Lawn Care
During winter many areas in Florida can most likely experience extreme cold weather, and possibly freezing temperatures. I’m sure a lot of people will receive frost on their St. Augustine lawns. Cold weather and wind together can cause stress on St. Augustine grass. February Florida St. Augustine grass lawn care can be done, to start preparing for a healthy and vigorous lawn for spring and summer.
The first signs that you have had frost or cold weather stress on your St. Augustine lawn, is you will see the blades turn purple to black, and will most likely eventually become brown. This Does Not mean the roots are dead and you will loose your lawn. Your lawn should bounce back when warm weather returns. New green growth will replace any discolored blades of grass.
Areas that have crabgrass will surely turn brown but unfortunately the crabgrass has not died off, leaving just the St. Augustine grass by itself. When summer returns crabgrass will be back healthy as can be. If those areas are mostly crabgrass, you might consider replacing it with new sod or grass plugs in the spring. Before laying down sod or planting grass plugs, treat those areas with “Weed Grass Killer” such as “Round-Up” to kill the crabgrass. Remember to watch for over-spraying for the chemical is “Non-Selective “, meaning it will kill everything! Always follow directions on the label. If these areas are large, it can be expensive if you have to replace half your lawn. If the areas are small and in spots, this is a good time to get rid of unwanted grass. Also, the thicker your lawn is the better chance it has to choke out crabgrass, if it starts to invade your lawn again.
February Florida St. Augustine Grass Lawn Care For Thatch Removal
The month of February is the time to do thatch removal. Recommended for thatch removal is to use a ”Vertical Mower” for “Verti-Cutting”, which is the best method for thatch removal in St. Augustine lawns . A”Vertical Mower” has evenly spaced knife-like blades, which revolve perpendicularly to the turf grass. The blades slice into the thatch and lift it up. I recommend to hire a professional company to do February Florida St. Augustine grass lawn care for thatch removal, to be done correctly. Plus it is strenuous and the machine is very heavy for transporting it from the rental place, and you will have a truck load of thatch to be hauled away.
Time To Do Aeration For St. Augustine Lawns.
This is also the time to have aeration done for February Florida St. Augustine grass lawn care. This process creates small holes in the soil to give your lawn a better chance to receive, water, fertilizer, and air, to help the root system. The ground can become hard and compact over a long period of time, thus needing to be aerated. Once again, I would have a professional to do this. The machine is extremely heavy and not easy to work with. A company that has experience doing aeration will do the best job. Aeration will give a good foundation for a lawn in the spring and summer.
Now Is The Time To Fertilize
The End of February is a good time to begin fertilizing your lawn. I recommend using a “Slow-Release Granular Fertilizer”, to begin growing a green healthy turf with a good foundation for the spring and summer. You can apply a Weed ‘n’ Feed for February Florida St. Augustine grass lawn care at this time to get a jump start on those ugly weeds. But there is a window on when to stop using it. Do Not wait until it is too late, when the temperature is above 80 degrees. Applying a weed ‘n’ feed when it is too hot for it to be done is not recommended, for the chemicals can burn or kill your lawn. Always follow directions on the label, as with any type of fertilizer you use. If you don’t have a lot of weeds, use a “Selective Liquid Weed Killer” for St. Augustine grass to treat the weeds by doing spot weeding. Once again read the label, on proper rate of spraying, and instructions for it’s usage.
Follow these helpful tips on February Florida St. Augustine grass lawn care to start your lawn growing with a good foundation. Spring is just around the corner so begin now on having a healthy, lush green lawn you want to have . Plus it will help keep your St. Augustine lawn looking great during the summer months.
Kurt Kmetz
