Home › Lawns and Garden Paths › Lawns and Garden Paths (Surface before harrowing)

Lawns and Garden Paths (Surface before harrowing)

the surface before harrowing or raking will counteract any soil acidity. In soils that are excessively heavy it will be well to modify their texture by hauling large quantities of sand over the surface and distributing it evenly, before plowing, to a depth of from 3 to 6 inches. This is, however, not often necessary as unless the clay is unusually impervious, tile draining and manure will improve its texture sufficiently.

Harrow or rake the soil as often as is necessary to secure a well-prepared, finely pulverized seed bed. Seeding may be done in the North in April and May and again during the months of September and October. In the South most fall sowing is done during November and again from February to May depending upon the location. Choose a calm day for seeding keeping the hand low and broadcast the seed using 4 or 5 bushels per acre. It requires experience to sow grass seed uniformly, and even with experience, it is impossible to secure an even distribution if the work is done on a windy day.

Thick sowing is advised so that the weeds will have less chance to take hold of the soil and the crowding of the grass plants produces foliage of a finer texture. Cover the seeds lightly by either raking or harrowing no deeper than half an inch. Rolling must then follow, to prevent washing and to insure a better stand of [219] grass by bringing the seeds into intimate contact with the soil particles. In small areas this firming may be done by means of a sod tamper or the back of a spade. It is scarcely necessary to add that only the best quality of seed purchased from a reliable source should be used. Many large seed firms offer seed mixtures suitable for use in various locations, this does away with the necessity of making one's own mixture and in many cases the results obtained are very satisfactory.