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Planting New
Lawn
Prepare the Seed bed, Grade,
smooth and level the lawn, remove debris such as stones twigs
etc. Lightly tilling the first several inches of soil will
also help loosen and provide a good foundation for your grass
seed. Work in a good
starter
fertilizer. Fertilizers such as a 28-24-6 would be ideal. You need
a fertilizer that has a generous amount of nitrogen (28)
and a higher rate of phosphorous then usual. (24) the phosphorous
will encourage vigorous root growth in your new lawn helping
it to establish itself into a dense turf.
Spread the Centipede seed at the rate of 1-2 # (hulled) per
1000 square feet or 2-3# (coated) per 1000 square feet, rake
the seed in to a depth of
½” and if needed, use straw
as a light mulch to prevent erosion. Water daily for 30 days
to give all of the seed a good chance to germinate.
Over Seeding Existing Lawn
Cut the
existing lawn as close as possible without scalping it. Rake
or scratch the soil and apply the seed over it at the rate of
½-1# (hulled) or 1-1½# (coated) per 1000 Square. Mow lawn as
close as possible without scalping, scratch the soil with a
rake and follow mulching and watering instructions as listed
above.
Sprigging and Plugging
Bermuda can also be
planted by Sprigging and Plugging. This is generally more time
consuming. rhizomes can be planted every 8 to 12 inches. Each
of the rhizomes (or stolons) should have at least 2 nodes
(joints) and should be planted 1 to 2 inches deep. Sprigs can
also be broadcast over the area to be planted and covered with
a thin layer of soil. When plugging, sod should be cut into
sections of 2 to 4 inches and planted 6 to 12 inches of center
from each other.
Whether
sprigging or plugging it is worth noting that the closer the
plugs or sprigs are set the quicker the new lawn will be to
establish itself. Keep the area moist (but not soggy) and do
not now until new growth is seen. Do not mow if the soil is
wet as you run the risk of pulling the centipede out of the
soil if the roots have not established themselves yet.
WARNING, Do not use any weed and
feed fertilizers or weed preventative applications when
seeding a lawn
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