Planting Your Florida Lawn
If you ‘re starting from chicken feed, there are basically two ways to establish a modern lawn : with seeds, or with existing grass ( in the form of plugs or superoxide dismutase ). While starting with seed is importantly less expensive, it can besides be more difficult ( specially if you ‘re the impatient type ). Laying turf, big “ sheets ” of supergrass, can give you an blink of an eye lawn, but it can be expensive. Your method will besides depend on the type of turfgrass you choose, as some types can merely be laid as seed, and others only as sodomite or plugs .
Preparing the Site
Preparing the landscape advance will make the process go more smoothly. If you ’ re moving into a new house, remove all construction debris, roots, and rocks from the locate. If you ’ re replacing an existing lawn, you ’ ll need to treat the area with an herbicide first gear and remove the dead vegetation .
It ’ second crucial to have your dirt tested, so that you ’ ll know the ph and nutrient levels. Your county Extension function can provide you with instructions and the materials to get you started. If necessary, you can add dirty amendments and till them in. Finally, be sure the dirt is evenly graded and slopes away from the house .
Starting a Lawn with Seed
Seeding is the easiest and cheapest way to establish a new lawn. The best time to seed warm-season eatage in most parts of Florida is between April and July, permitting a fully grow season before cold weather. Seeding your lawn can be a lot more monetary value effective than planting turf, but it depends on which turfgrass you select. Bahiagrass and Bermudagrass are the best choices if you want to start a lawn from source.
For best results, the locate needs to be prepared by rights before planting. Make sure you choose eminent quality source of a variety allow for your area and the locate. Remove weeds and vegetation and loosen and horizontal surface the soil. Work the seed into the dirt and cover with backbone or another product, such as hay. Seeding rates vary with most species and cultivars of grass. Keep newly seeded areas damp, and apply fertilizer only after the seed begins to grow .
Planting a Lawn with Plugs
Planting a lawn with plugs can be a less expensive alternative to sod, though it does n’t give the “ clamant lawn ” that sod offers .
You can make your own plugs by cutting sod into two to four edge pieces. You can besides buy separate chew trays of certain turfgrass varieties. These commercial plugs normally have well-developed root systems, and they ‘re often planted with a particular punch tool.
Plant the plugs into fix dirty on six- to twelve-inch centers, taking care to bury the roots. The far apart your plugs are, the long they will take to fill in .
Keep plugs watered on a regular footing and do n’t mow until hard rooted. This may take two weeks to a calendar month or more in winter. Do n’t fertilize new plugs until they ‘ve grown together .
Planting a Lawn with Sod
Sodding can give you an “ instantaneous lawn, ” though it ‘s costlier than seeding or plugging.
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start by clearing any debris from the locate and leveling the soil. When your turf is delivered, check to see that it ‘s healthy and problem release. Lay your superoxide dismutase within twenty-four hours of delivery, and thinly irrigate the dirt merely before you begin. Fit the squares tightly against one another in a stagger fashion, cutting them if needed .
Proper water is substantive for your fresh lawn ‘s survival. Provide light but frequent waterings for the first two to three weeks, so that the dirty stays damp but not excessively wet. Once the superoxide dismutase is hard rooted, you can taper off on water .
Wait three to four weeks before you mow, and thirty to sixty days before you fertilize .
