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How to Protect Lawns From Cars
Whether you are driving on a grass area or simply parking a vehicle, over time your lawn will become damaged. Grass protection mesh does a great job at protecting the root zone of the lawn by spreading out the downward pressure applied by car tires. By doing so your lawn is protected from ruts and allowed to grow without taking on constant damage.
View our grass protection mesh product details and pricing >
Standard grade mesh is well suited for overflow parking areas where occasional passenger vehicular traffic will take place.
Medium grade mesh is perfect for situations where semi regular parking will take place. This mesh is reinforced with additional osculated plastic strands and provides a certain degree of slip protection over standard grade.
Heavy-grade mesh is ideal for areas which will see daily parking and also for puplic facing installations where slip protection is important. This mesh meets ADA standards and is ultra reinforced to provide an extended functional lifespan.
Create A Magnificent Lawn With Grass Seed
Many homeowners have taken a really close look at their lawns and realized how pathetic they look. Brown, balding spots here and there, spikes of weeds, and in general it just looks awful. Worry not! Understanding how to prepare your soil and the critical steps required, you can turn your lawn around with grass seed. You can expand the size of your lawn, get rid of unsightly areas that leave your lawn in sad shape or even repair it once you know how to work with grass seed for the best results.
Before jumping on the bandwagon, you need to start by prepping your lawn first.
First off, make sure it's the right tine of year for seeding. If you live in a harsh climate you should wait until the harsh temperatures have passed to get great results. Depending on your region and the kind of grass, in most cases seeding is best performed in the spring or fall.
Installing Grass Sod
To simplify, it if you live in the northern area of the country, the best time to plant seeds is in the fall between September and November. If you live in the southern region or middle of the country, you should plant in the spring or early summer between March and June. You could plant in off-seasons but there's a chance the new grass will not survive. You should choose the right kind of grass that works best in your region.
For cooler northern regions the best grasses include:
Kentucky Blue Grass, Perennial Ryegrass, and Fescue
Transition zone or middle regions include:
Fescue Zoysia, Bluegrass, Bluegrass blends, and Perennial Ryegrass blends.
Warmer regions include:
Bermuda grass, Bahia grass, Zoysia, and Centipede grass.
You will need to stock up on needed supplies including the grass seed. We recommend you visit Amazon, Home Depot, or Lowes for the best selections to get you going. Home Depot can probably give you more information if you feel you are still in the dark regarding which seed is best for your region and how much you should get.
Fertilizer or Grass Feeder
Fertilizer or grass feeder must be added and applied directly after planting the seeds. Once the seeds are planted, they need to start growing very quickly before weeds start to grow and kill off the seeds.
Lawn Soil
You need lawn soil that is rich in nutrients like Scotts Turf Builder, to protect the seeds from blowing away, burned by the sun, or eaten by birds. Bury the seeds under a layer of the soil. Lawn soil is available at a local nursery, Hone Depot, and Lowes. Just make sure you explain what you will be using it for so you don't end up with a soil with weed seed.
Follow these simple steps to plant grass seed:
One - Prepare The Soil
It doesn't matter if you are growing grass seed from scratch or want to improve your existing lawn, you must start off with a good solid foundation. Remove rocks, sticks, weeds, and other stuff from your lawn.
Look around for any uneven sections that need to be leveled out before laying down the seed. This will prevent water from accumulating and pooling causing the seeds to rot.
New Grass Seed Growth
Two – Loosen Up The Soil
If the soil seems compacted, you have to loosen it up at least 4 inches from the top using a tiller or a rake. It will allow air to flow and create active growth. During this step, you can spread a thin layer topsoil over the lawn. As it's freshly laid topsoil it will not be compacted.
Applying a topsoil will help to level out your lawn and avoid puddles when you are watering. If you discover holes it's a good time to fill them to prevent any issues when the grass starts growing.
Finished Backyard Lawn
Three – Improve The Soil With Nutrients
Nutrients will help grass seeds grow. On the other hand, if you need to replant seeds because your lawn is in bad shape and balding from little to no growth, you might have other issues. You should grab your pH tester or have someone test it for you. Most grass types are between 6.0 to 7.0. If the soil's pH is below 6.0, it's too acidic, it will need nutrients such as phosphorous, nitrogen, calcium, and potassium. Adding lime or limestone can increase the soil's pH and make nutrients more accessible.
If the pH is over 7.0, add compost, peat, or fertilizer to bring the level down.
Four – Lay Down & Feed The Grass Seed
You will have to lay down a heavy cover for a new lawn but try and apply an even level over the entire area to ensure everything is covered. If you are overseeding an existing lawn, you should apply a lighter coverage. You should add grass seed in balding areas to promote growth. You can use your hands for smaller spaces or a spreader for larger areas. Cover the seeds or work them into the soil.
If the seeds are only placed on the surface of the ground, it will dry out pretty quickly and will not germinate. Also, the seeds could be washed away by wind or rain. You will need to apply another layer of soil to bury the seeds.
If you don't have enough soil to put on top of the seeds, you need to work them into the soil approximately 1/3 to 1/2 inches deep. After sowing the seeds, use a rake to work them into the soil and then smooth out the surface. This will prevent water from evaporating too quickly by keeping the soil damp while protecting seeds from wildlife. Once the seeds are worked into the soil, add the fertilizer to promote growth. To maintain your lawn after seeding, water every day!
Five – The Last Step
The last step is critical. You must keep the lawn moist at all times. Again, if the seeds dry out, they will die. After sowing they need constant and frequent watering not “water deep” or “less frequent” that applies to older mature grass. For a healthy lawn, frequent and constant watering will help the seeds germinate and develop their root systems. Overwatering will harm germination so use just enough water to keep the soil moist at seed depth So make sure the soil is moist but not soggy. You must be willing to water the new or overseeded lawn at least two or three times each day to keep the top inch of soil constantly moist. Germination can take from 5 to 30 days and longer in cooler climates.
Continue Checking Moisture Levels
Once the seedbed starts to establish itself and sprouts are popping up, be sure to check the ground's moisture on a regular basis. If you notice it's drying out, add water. Keep in mind, new grass seedlings have very short roots and need frequent watering for them to spread.
Now that you have seeded a new lawn or filled in bare spots, you need to think about mowing after 8 weeks or when the grass has reached a mowing height. Do not cut it too short and do not cut more than one-third of its height as that will stress out the grass.
Touching Grass in Yard
Car Parking
If you are looking to utilize your new lawn as a parking area for an extra car or two consider installing a heavy-duty grass protection mesh. This mesh helps to reinforce the grass surface and reduce the chance of rutting and damage from car tires.
FAQs
What is the growing period for seeds?
It takes approximately 7 to 30 days for grass seed germination to start.
Can I just sprinkle grass seed on top of my existing lawn?
It's possible but taking the time to prepare your lawn beforehand will increase the chances of germination and improve the end results.
When you throw down grass seed will it grow?
The chances are not good. Some seeds on the surface of the soil will sprout but the germination rate will suffer leaving the end results poor.
On top of the soil, can grass seeds germinate?
That depends on how loose the soil is. Seeds are not able to grow through soil. They should be on top of loose soil. The germination process will suffer from too much soil on top of the seedlings.
Backyard Landscaping
In Conclusion
If you are looking forward to placing down a new lawn or your existing lawn is in really bad shape and must be replaced, it's important to know what should be done before having the lawn of your dreams. You have to prepare the soil for grass seeds and understand how young new seedlings grow and prosper. We hope our article has given you advice for creating a new lawn or overseeding your current lawn. You must have patience, it will take a little work on your part but the end results will be worth it.. If you are willing to walk a mile and cover all the steps needed for a healthy lawn, in the end, you could have an amazing lawn you will be proud of.