I and A Mag Sep19

Gardening
With the ground still warm from the summer
sun and moisture levels in the soil increasing,
September is the perfect time to create a new lawn.
Using grass seed is far cheaper than using reasonable quality
turf, plus you can choose a suitable grass mixture for the site and
it is easy to shape the lawn without having to cut pieces of turf.
So how do you ensure a great green surface with your newly
sown lawn? Examine the site first and calculate the total area to
be seeded, then study the grass seed packs in your local garden
centre. Many different types are available, but broadly speaking
you will find yourself choosing from various grades of utility lawn
(which usually contains a fair amount of rye grass to provide
toughness), finer lawns that look more elegant but need more
care, and mixtures suitable for lawns in partial shade.
It will be about three weeks before the seedlings emerge and
then about ten weeks before the lawn can be cut, so bear this in
mind when choosing your time to start.
Clear the area you wish to sow by removing all weeds (including
their roots), any old grass and any debris. Dig out or kill off any
perennial weeds before you sow the lawn, either by hand or with
a suitable weedkiller. One containing glyphosate will be carried
down to the plant’s roots or rhizomes but will be deactivated on
contact with the soil, meaning grass seed can be sown straight
away.
Dig the area over completely and consider the texture. Ideally
you want a light, free-draining loam that does not become too
dry in summer, nor waterlogged or compacted in winter. Improve
drainage in heavy soil by adding horticultural sand and some
bulky organic matter, whereas light soil will retain moisture
better if plenty of well-rotted organic matter is dug in.
Next, rake over the soil repeatedly to achieve a good level surface
that is free from large stones, any plant remains and other debris.
Gauging the level by eye is normally adequate, but if necessary
use a system of pegs and a spirit level.
Incorporate some granular general fertilizer, raking it in or
spreading it evenly over the prepared area. To prevent pockets
of subsidence forming, firm the area by treading it over evenly in
flat-soled shoes or boots, keeping your feet level as they hit the
soil, paying particular attention to the edges.
GOING GREEN
If you think the site is not level, drive in pegs along each side of
the patch. Mark each peg at the same distance from the top and
tap them in to the same height, using the mark as your guide.
Use a spirit level and (if necessary) string attached between the
pegs to check the levels, then re-rake the soil using the markers
on the pegs as a guide.
For lawn seed to germinate quickly you need warm, moist
conditions so avoid hot, dry weather and wait until just before
rain is forecast.
Using the directions on the pack, weigh out the quantity of grass
seed needed for one square metre. Use four upturned flowerpots
to mark the corners of a one metre square plot and distribute the
seed evenly over the plot, thus showing you how the lawn seed
should look when sown correctly. Obviously there is no need to
mark out each square metre, but with this as a guide you should
do perfectly well.
Never sow too thinly as this encourages weeds to invade and
makes a thin and moth-eaten looking lawn initially. You should
also avoid sowing too thickly as this will create poor-quality
seedlings that are more inclined to die off because of the damp,
muggy and overcrowded conditions.
If you have a large lawn it may be worth considering borrowing
or hiring a machine to sow the seed, but for most gardens hand
sowing is perfect. Sow the entire area with the lawn seed and
then lightly rake a thin layer of soil over the seed, so that much of
it is at least partially incorporated into the soil.
Water the surface regularly with a fine sprinkler or watering can
so that the seed can germinate and the young grass seedlings
start to grow. If birds are likely to be a problem, use a system
of twigs or canes with taut cotton tied between them to keep
the birds off the area. Alternatively, use garden netting but make
sure whatever you use is taut, or birds may get tangled up in it.
Visit Pippa’s website www.pippagreenwood.com and you’ll find Pippa’s Septemberdispatch
vegetable plant collection along with other gardening items: Nemaslug,
atylish cloches, practical and pretty plant supports, the fantastic SpeedHoe,
gardening tools, planters, Grower Frames, signed books and more! Or why not
book Pippa for a gardening talk?
by Pippa Greenwood
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