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Planting Instructions

Planting Your New Water Saver Lawn


Step 4


Step 5


Step 7

Step 8
  1. Start with taking a soil sample to see what the condition of the soil is. You can send the sample to the local cooperative extension agent. They can also give you advice about improving the soil. Use a starter fertilizer to give the small plants a good start.
  2. Clear all trash and debris from planting area. Till your soil to a depth of 4 to 6 inches, adding a balanced lawn fertilizer at the recommended rate. Level the ground.
  3. Grade to drain water away from buildings. Roll lightly.
  4. Rake lightly to form small furrows.
  5. Mix seed thoroughly at 5-10 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. Sow by hand or with a seeder. Rake lightly at right angles to your furrow to thinly cover seed.
  6. Cover your prepared seed bed with a thin cover (no more than 1/4") of peat moss or weed-free humus. Roll.
  7. Water three to four times daily to keep soil moist at all times. Use a fine spray and don’t let water puddle. After your new Water Saver lawn is established, follow normal watering procedures.
  8. Mow when new plants are approximately 3" tall. Set mower on high setting, until new lawn is established.

Overseeding an existing lawn
  1. Start with taking a soil sample to see what the condition of the soil is. You can send the sample to the local cooperative extension agent. They can also give you advice about improving the soil.
  2. If you have problems with other weeds (dandelions, broadleaf plantain, curly dock, etc.) pull them out or use a weedkiller.
  3. Mow your lawn very short (1/2 - 3/4 inch). Collect the clippings and detach the lawn or open the soil with a rake.
  4. For large lawns, use a fertilizer spreader to spread the seed, smaller lawns can be done by hand. If your lawn is thinner than it originally was, you can overseed the entire lawn to get a stronger, thicker lawn.
  5. If necessary, use a starter fertilizer to speed up the establishment.
  6. After planting the seed, try to get the best contact between the soil and the seed by raking the seed thoroughly into the soil.
  7. Cover the seeds with a thin layer (1/4”) of topsoil. If there is no chance to cover the seeds with topsoil you will have to water the new seedlings more often.
  8. Water is a very important factor for the germination of the seeds. Keep the first 1/4-1/2” of the soil wet to achieve good germination.
  9. Within 7-12 days you will see the first small leaves of the new plants, if planting procedures have been followed and completed to instruction.
  10. When there is a need for mowing, mow the lawn at normal mowing height. By collecting the clippings in the first month it will give the new plants more space to grow.