Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, August 26, 1993 TAG: 9308250081
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-5 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: JOE HUNNINGS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Renovate that outdated basement rec room with the lava lamp in the corner? Why not?
Renovate your lawn? Huh?
If your lawn looks less than satisfactory but is in fair shape, it's possible to renovate it without rebuilding it from scratch.
Advantages of renovation include less expense and mess, because renovating requires only minimal soil tilling. Also, your lawn will be able to take light traffic during renovation.
However, some conditions can reduce your chances of success. If a lawn is extremely compacted, has a soil pH below 5.2, has very low soil phosphorus availability, or the grade is very uneven, it might be better to start over with plowing or disking.
Now through mid-September is the ideal time to establish cool-season grasses, such as fescue and bluegrass.
Here are some steps to a successful lawn renovation:
\ Determine the cause of poor quality: Lawns usually require renovation because of one or more of the following reasons: poor fertilization, inadequate drainage, excessive traffic, poor selection of grass variety, weed invasion, compaction, drought, insect or disease damage or too much shade.
Be sure to identify the reason or reasons for your lawn's decline and properly address these factors before renovation.
\ Have the soil tested: In many cases, improper maintenance of pH and fertility needs of the turf is the cause for soil decline. Soil analysis will determine lime and fertilizer needs.
Have the soil tested several weeks before starting your lawn renovation job.
\ Control the weeds and undesirable grasses: If possible, control perennial grass weeds such as tall fescue (in a bluegrass lawn), bermudagrass, nimblewell and quackgrass prior to soil preparation.
Glyphosate, applied in accordance with label directions, will control most perennial, grassy weeds.
Begin treatment with glyphosate two to three weeks before renovation so you can retreat the lawn if any if regrowth occurs.
Perennial broadleaf weeds can be controlled after the new seed has grown and been mowed twice.
\ Dethatch if necessary: Use a vertical mower or dethatching machine to cut grooves in the soil so that seed can make good soil contact.
Seed planted atop the thatch layer is largely wasted, because thatch is a hydrophobic layer of undecomposed organic matter. Because of its high cellulose content, grass thatch is slow to decay and forms a semi-waterproof mat between the soil and grass leaves.
Also: If there are low spots in the lawn, fill and level them with good topsoil.
\ Apply lime and fertilizer: Consult the soil-test recommendations.
\ Sow the seed: Renovated lawns can be drill-seeded, broadcast-seeded or both.
Drill seeding provides the best seed-soil contact and the highest germination rate. However, drill seeding alone generally leaves a "row effect," which can be masked by also broadcast seeding.
The best method involves drill seeding in two perpendicular directions and then broadcast seeding. Lightly rake or drag the area after seeding.
Drill seeding requires specialized equipment which is available at rental stores or through professional lawn care businesses.
\ Water frequently: Water lightly and frequently every day until the seed has germinated. Then, water less frequently but more deeply, to keep the soil moist.
\ Maintaining the new lawn: Begin mowing the new lawn when the height of grass is one-third greater than the intended mowing height.
Be sure that the lawn mower is sharp. A dull mower tends to pull grass seedlings out of the ground.
Try to minimize traffic on the new lawn until it is mature.
Broadleaf weed control may be necessary. Do not apply broadleaf weed control to new lawns until they have been mowed at least twice.
Begin a good, comprehensive fertilization program based on the recommendations provided in the soil-test report or through consultation with your local Virginia Cooperative Extension Service agent or a lawn-care professional.
Joe Hunnings is the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service agent for agriculture in Christiansburg. If you have questions call the Montgomery County extension office at 382-5790.
by CNB