How to grow grass quickly?
All nature lovers dream of having a flower garden with a beautiful green lawn to enjoy the hot summer days. The good news is that getting a healthy lawn isn't a very complex gardening job, it just takes willpower, a little patience and good planning.
Are you planning to sow a new lawn? If so, you came to the right place. In this article, we explain the different steps to follow in order to make your lawn grow faster and we share some useful tips to facilitate its maintenance.
Steps to make your lawn grow faster
1. Choice of grass and season
Start by choosing the type of grass that best suits the climate in your area. Grass is divided into two categories:
- Cool-season turf grasses are resistant to freezing temperatures as well as drought.
- Warm-season turf grasses are resistant to very high temperatures like those in tropical regions.
Best grasses to plant in Quebec
Once you have chosen the type of grass, you also need to decide when is the best time to plant your lawn. No matter where you live, there are a few basic rules to follow in order to determine when to plant your grass:
- It is recommended to sow once there is no risk of frost at night. The soil temperature should be at least 8 degrees.
- Lawn seeds prefer cooler temperatures as they accelerate its growth by providing a daily supply of water (it's best not to sow your lawn in mid-summer!)
- It is best to sow after your spring scraping
In general, the ideal times for sowing grass are spring (mid-May to mid-June) and late summer (mid-August to mid-September). In Quebec, these periods may vary depending on the region where you live. You can consult our guide to determine the best time to plant your grass based on your region.
2. Soil preparation
This step is arguably the most important for healthy growth, but it is also the most complex. The preparation of the soil is divided into two parts:
Level the ground
If you choose sod, it is recommended that you level your land with a rake before laying the sod. Be sure to pull out rooted and broadleaf plants. Then, level the ground with a shovel or garden hook to level the mounds and fill the holes. Also make sure to remove any rocks or roots. This step is also important if you choose to sow grass seeds.
Take your time to work the soil well before sowing your lawn or laying the sod. This step promotes the rapid growth of the grass.
Compact the soil
If you want to grow your sod quickly, be sure to compact and stabilize the soil with a sod roller to prepare a seedbed. Roll on in dry weather until your feet are very lightly stamped on the ground. Once you've compacted the soil, don't wait too long before you plant the seeds or lay the sod. If it rains, your efforts could go to waste!
3. Eliminate weeds
Eliminating weeds is a constant struggle. It is advisable to remove weeds in late fall, this way they will not grow in the spring. There are several methods of weeding, but the correct method depends on the type of weed. That’s why it’s best to contact a lawn care specialist.
How to identify weeds on your lawn?
4. Sow the grass
To sow the lawn, it is important to distribute the seeds evenly over the surface. You can use a spreader to do this. Set it to the right setting and then fill it with half the seeds. Do a cross-sowing, that is, first go one way and cover the entire area and then go perpendicular using the rest of the seeds. Another practical method is broadcast sowing.
Once the grass is sown, it is important to fertilize your soil. Then pass the rake to bury the seeds well under 1 cm of soil and water frequently (see below).
5. Protect the seeds
The best way to protect the seeds is to cover the surface with a thin layer of potting soil. This is a more expensive solution, so it is better suited for smaller areas.
If you are worried that birds will feast on your lawn, consider covering the seeded area with protective netting and branches. You can also use a non-woven veil to achieve a uniform and lush lawn. The veil protects the seeds from rain, wind, cold temperatures, and intruders like insects and birds.
6. Regular watering
It is important that the soil stays cool and that you water regularly in order to provide the moisture level necessary for seed growth.
For 8-10 days after sowing, water your seeds 2-3 times a day for 5-10 minutes to achieve the best results. Regular watering during these days is essential because your seeds need to stay moist. Make sure your jet is not too strong to avoid displacing or drowning the seeds.
In the case of sod, it is important to water abundantly every day for the first two weeks. The turf and soil under the lawn must be completely soaked with water to ensure the survival of the sod.
It is best to water at the end of the afternoon. At this time of day, there is less evaporation and water penetrates better into the soil.
7. Lawn maintenance
Allow about three weeks for the first blades of grass to appear, and try to avoid stepping on your freshly sown grass. When the grass reaches a height of about 10 cm, you can mow the grass for the first time. You should not mow more than a third of the height of the lawn.
In general, the lawn should be mowed about once a week in the spring and fall. In summer, the frequency of mowing decreases slightly so that the lawn is more resistant to hot temperatures. Regular watering is an essential cultural practice for your lawn to grow healthy.
Tips to keep your grass healthy and green
Regular maintenance is necessary in order to keep your lawn healthy. Here are some tips to follow in order to grow your lawn faster and healthier:
Rain
If it is raining very hard after sowing, you may lose some seeds so it is best to check the weather before sowing your grass. If it rains, be sure to level the soil when it is dry and add some seeds.
Grass plates
If you choose sod, buy it the same day that you are planning on laying it. Grass patches tend to wither quickly when not immediately installed.
Fertilization
Fertilization is an essential step in promoting the good growth of your lawn. It is advisable to fertilize the lawn in two stages:
- A first fertilization that will give your lawn a green color, in March.
- A second fertilization in the fall will allow the roots of your lawn to develop better.
How to fertilize your lawn to get best results?
Soil aeration
It is important to aerate the soil at least once a year (in the spring) to decompress it and promote oxygen supply to the roots.
Weeds
To prevent the appearance of weeds in your lawn, we recommend the following two methods:
- Monitor your lawn regularly to act as quickly as possible when new weeds appear.
- Promote tillering of the turf in order to accelerate the growth of your lawn and the development of the roots. This technique involves flattening the tufts of grasses so that they grow horizontally rather than vertically. This improves the plant cover.
Lawn Foam
Moss usually thrives on very moist soils that retain water well. Poorly aerated soils can also cause moss to develop. In order to remove the moss, scarify the area to get rid of the unwanted plants that form the felting.
If you have any questions regarding the maintenance of your lawn, do not hesitate to contact Vertdure. We will be happy to answer all of your questions.