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If your existing lawn suffers from bad soil compaction, or perhaps rampant weed problems, a heavy thatch, or even nutrient and organic matter deficiencies, then you may consider removing your existing lawn turf and replanting your lawn . Planting a lawn is a big job, however your new lawn will last a long time so it is important that do it right from the outset.
Planting a lawn can be done in four main ways to: by applying seed, planting sprigs or perhaps plugs, or by laying sod.
Sprigs are usually planted by machine over large lawns; but in small areas you can plant them by hand. Lawn sprigs are made up of cut-up lengths of underground or aboveground runners that are called rhizomes or stolons. On these rhizomes there are typically 2 to 4 joints, or nodes where the new grass blades will emerge. The sprigs can be broadcast and then just pressed into the soil or perhaps planted in shallow furrows.
Plugs - round or square pieces of sod that usually measure about 2 inches across--are generally planted in holes that are evenly spaced throughout the lawn. The grass plants from the plugs spread and fill in the gaps over several months.
Sod is available in carpetlike rolls that are generally about 3/4-inch thick, 1-1/2 feet wide, and roughly 6 feet long. These sod pieces should be laid perpendicular to any slope that is being laid on and laid in a staggered pattern, similar to how you would lay bricks. |