Site conditions: Choose the right grass for your region, a variety that will survive through the winter and summer months. A few extra inches will be added to your garden, as the grass pieces carry about one to two inches of soil along with the blades of the grass. When buying your lawn, check to see if the pieces of grass will have trouble growing in your existing soil.
Soil amendments: You may need to apply soil amendments to your garden before laying the lawn. The best pH for laying grass is between 6.0 and 7.0. Fertilizers and soil amendments, such as limestone, must be properly mixed with the first six inches of soil. Top soil should also be added to a depth of six inches, as soils tend to settle around five inches.
Classification and drainage: You don’t want standing water in the garden area where you are laying grass. The floor must be properly leveled to allow sufficient filtration. Slopes must be properly leveled to divert any water flow from sidewalks, the foundation of the house, and lower areas of your yard. The final level surface must be smoothed and rolled, creating an even surface for proper installation.
Lawn installation: Your yard should be weed before any new lawn installation. Take care to remove all weeds, especially those with seeds, after laying the lawn. The best time of year to install lawns includes late summer through early fall. Try not to install grass during the heat of the summer; otherwise, check the grass pieces for wilted or burned leaves. Make sure the grass pieces are vibrant and healthy. If you cannot install grass after delivery, unroll the batteries in a partially shaded location and make sure they stay moist during warm temperatures. Ideally, the grass should be delivered and installed within a twenty-four hour period. The prepared floor must be flat and moderately moist prior to final installation. Lawn rows can be laid edge-to-edge and staggered from each seam line, similar to laying a brick pattern. After installation, the lawn should be watered and allowed to dry. Once the grass is dry, the grass pieces should be compressed to ensure that the roots adhere well to the soil.
Maintenance: New grass can be watered one inch deep, every two to three days. If the grass appears and feels soggy after two to three days, postpone watering until the soil has absorbed all the moisture. The fertilizer can be applied four to six weeks after installation. You may want to set your own fertilizer schedule based on the variety of grass chosen and the strength of the grass. Typically, applying a consistent 2-1-1 ratio to one pound of nitrogen per 1000 square feet will adequately feed your lawn.