Lawn grass with small flowers. Best time to seed your lawn

Imagine with what pleasure you can wake up early in the morning, go outside, walk on the grass that is still soaked in dew. Or, how pleasant it is in the summer, at the height of the heat, to lie down on the soft grass under the shade of trees. And just look at the beautifully trimmed lawn, which is located next to your house. This pleasure is called a lawn. However, if you think that it is easy to sow, then you are deeply mistaken.

The lawn, in fact, is a complex infrastructure. Therefore, before planting grass for the lawn, it is necessary to properly prepare for this procedure. This means the following steps:

• arrangement of drainage,
• ground development,
• surface leveling,
• installation of irrigation systems.

Lawn grass is very different from regular weed. This is primarily due to the thick cover, which strongly retains moisture. The grass needs a little water to feed, the rest goes into the ground. If drainage is not done, the roots will begin to rot, and bald spots in the lawn will appear on the surface.

To avoid this, you need to make at least a basic drainage system. The easiest way is to pour crushed stone over the area of ​​the planned lawn. The thickness of the coating is at least 2 cm. For expensive decorative lawns (not intended for walking), the drainage should be much better and consist of 3 layers:

• sandy,
• stone,
• clay.

Sand easily allows water to pass through, but gets wet on its own. The moisture from it nourishes the soil until the next watering and allows you to maintain a uniform microclimate of the root system. A layer of crushed stone under the sand quickly eliminates excess water, and clay soil evenly redirects water into the soil, avoiding shrinkage.

After installation drainage system it is necessary to cover it with high-quality black soil. It is mined either at the bottom of lakes or from the surface of the earth. Lake black soil is cheaper, but has a significant drawback - the seeds of watery plants. They will begin to sprout within a couple of weeks, and to completely get rid of weeds it will take at least one year (or more, depending on the size of the area).

The rarer surface black soil allows seeds to be planted immediately. At the same time, it is important to provide them with recharge and to fertilize the soil well. The best fertilizer is manure, but chemical analogues are also suitable. The only caution concerns nitrates, since, although they accelerate the growth of grass, they make it poisonous.

The surface under the lawn must be perfectly flat; it may have a slope, but always remains flat. This is necessary so that after cutting the grass has the same height without bumps or differences. Otherwise, the lawn will look like a forest clearing.

Irrigation systems are:

• manual,
• automatic.

By hand we mean watering with a regular hose with a spray nozzle. It is advisable to install automatic ones immediately so as not to trample the soil and hide the water supply underground.

Only if these points are observed will the lawn sprout and begin to please you. Now let’s look at what types of “cultivated” herbs exist.

Varieties of herbs and their main advantages

Despite the fact that garden stores offer a huge selection of different grasses and distribute them into various categories, for example, “shade”, “cottage”, etc., in practice, only some grass seeds for lawns take root in our climate. These include:

• red fescue,
• thin bentgrass,
• meadow bluegrass,
• angustifolia bluegrass,
• bluegrass flattened,
• common bluegrass,
• dog bentgrass,
• shoot-forming bentgrass,
• white bentgrass.

The first three varieties are universal and suitable for any climate, the rest are only for the western and central parts of Russia. In northern latitudes, the most durable is the meadow bluegrass. Let's start with it.

Meadow bluegrass, like other lawn grasses, belongs to the grass family. In nature, it is found in temperate climates and is perfectly adapted to it. The main advantage is early germination and high vitality (grows on any soil).

The root system consists of branched thin shoots that intertwine with the roots of other plants, forming a very high-quality turf. Such a lawn cannot be trampled or damaged. A damaged area measuring 10x10 cm will be restored within two weeks.

Externally, the plant has narrow stems with a length of 30 to 90 cm. The color is rich green. Meadow bluegrass has one of the shortest flowering cycles in nature. Therefore, you need to trim your lawn at least once a week. Otherwise, thick and ugly stems with seeds will begin to appear. Simply cutting off the stem is not enough, as the grass around it will become hard and turn into a tussock. It must be removed and the area sown with new seeds (or the grass should be allowed to recover on its own).

In order to ensure high-quality seedlings, it is recommended to sow at least 10 grams. seeds per 1 sq. m. There is no need to pickle them (like any other grass seeds); in water they will rot instead of opening (but it is better to wrap them in a wet rag overnight before sowing).

The thin bentgrass is one of the most widespread in the world. meadow grass. It takes root on absolutely any soil and is completely easy to care for. The leaves of the plant are an elongated cone with a width at the base of about 8 mm. The grass reaches a height of 20 to 70 cm.

Creeping root system creates a fairly loose turf. Unlike the previous plant, bentgrass is not able to regenerate on its own, so if bald spots appear, it is necessary to plant new seeds. For a thick, beautiful lawn, it is recommended to sow at least 10 g per 1 square meter. m. The lawn needs to be mowed at least once every two weeks.

Red fescue is a classic meadow grass that has an extremely weak root system. However, the plant forms a very durable turf, suitable for creating grass carpets. They are not trampled and have increased regeneration.

The sheet width is from 10 to 30 mm, while it has a very soft, pleasant to the touch, velvety structure. Like most meadow grasses, red fescue is not very tall, from 25 to 50 cm. The disadvantage of the plant is that it grows very quickly. You will have to mow the lawn 2 times a week, otherwise bumps will begin to form.

If this does happen, then you need to let the grass rise 10 cm, and then cut it at this level. There is no need to dig up hummocks, since fescue has a genetic memory and compaction will appear in this place again (even if new seeds are sown).

The plant does not like moisture; it needs to be watered no more than once a week. In addition, the lawn should be located in the sunny part of the site. Even a slight shade will lead to slower growth or complete death of the plant.

Lawn mixtures

It is not always enough to buy one type of grass for your lawn. This is primarily due to the aesthetic factor. IN pure form meadow plants, although they look quite beautiful, are still much inferior decorative varieties. To solve this problem, special mixtures are used.

They are sold both ready-made and created experimentally. Ready-made options are usually divided into special groups adapted to specific operating conditions. Unfortunately, the quality of such mixtures does not always meet expectations. Therefore, it is better to make your own product.

It’s not difficult to do this, just know the basics:

• the mixture must consist of at least 5 herbs,
• the main crop (at least 30%) should be red fescue/fine bentgrass/meadow bluegrass,
• 25% of herbs should be root-forming,
• 5-35% of herbs are shade tolerant (depending on conditions),
• the rest are ornamental plants.

The best grass for a lawn, according to many experts, is red fescue, as it has the most beautiful leaves. It is usually used as the basis of any mixtures.

Root-forming grasses include all types of bluegrass. Unlike fescue, they take root on any soil and, intertwined with the root system of the main crop, feed it.

Poa grove is resistant to shade, but we should not forget that any grass needs at least 4 hours a day in the sun, otherwise it will begin to deteriorate.

Ornamental grasses mean selected varieties of lawns that have a magnificent appearance, but are very difficult to care for.

Perennial ryegrass and other imported varieties of grasses are almost completely unsuitable for the Russian climate, so it is better not to add them to mixtures. In addition, there are other plants that you should be wary of:

• annual bluegrass,
• sheep fescue,
• welsh fescue,
• cocksfoot,
• timothy grass,
• creeping wheatgrass,
• a boneless fire,
• pig's finger.

All these plants are weeds. Their seeds are sold everywhere and are included in mixtures from unscrupulous manufacturers. Despite the fact that in nature they look beautiful and demonstrate high survivability, at home they will not live up to expectations at all.

If you still do not want to experiment and prefer to buy a ready-made mixture, then it is better to choose from trusted manufacturers.

Ready-made lawn mixtures

Among the companies selling ready-made mixtures, the most popular are:

• Green Meadow
• "Liliput"
• "Green Square"
• Powerseed
• Terragrün.

Green Meadow is an American brand that is known not only in the USA, but throughout Europe. The assortment includes quite a lot of different types of lawns, from purely decorative to play.

The only drawback is that perennial ryegrass is used as the basis for the mixture. This means that the grass is suitable only for residents of the European part of Russia. Ryegrass is extremely cold-resistant. Despite the fact that manufacturers assure that the grass is frost-resistant, it dies at an air temperature of -15 0 C.

"Lilliput" (one of the Terragrün brands) and "Green Square" are domestic producers. They offer a variety of mixtures, including ones without ryegrass. If we talk about grass for the lawn, the price of which is more reasonable, then you should pay attention to the products of Green Square.

Firstly, the choice of various lawn modifications is better than that of Lilliput; secondly, the cost is somewhat lower, the quality is approximately the same. By and large, the issue of saving becomes relevant only when we are talking about a lawn with an area of ​​50 square meters or more. m, for smaller lawns the price difference is not significant.

A separate area of ​​the Green Square is sports lawns. These are mixtures that allow you to create a uniform, low-growing grass cover that is very pleasant to play football or other games on.

Powerseed is another American manufacturer. The lawn has been adapted to the North American climate of the western and central United States. In the climatic conditions of Russia, the lawn will take root only in the European part (with the exception of the northern region).

Among European producers, German breeders from Terragrün should be highlighted. The company offers unique mixtures consisting of natural and cultivated herbs. Distinctive feature– 95% seed germination (one of the highest rates).

The product range is quite wide. There are mixtures that are well suited for all regions of Russia, including:

• Universal,
• Canada green,
• Golf Master.

Despite the name, golf master is not only suitable for practicing this sport. In fact, it is the most sustainable and high-quality turf in the entire Terragrün range. The only drawback is that it dies when the soil freezes to a depth of more than 5 cm (compensated for by a competent drainage system).

The quality of the seeds and the correct composition of the mixture do not guarantee that the lawn will take root. Therefore, when sowing, you should use simple rules:

• let the seeds rest wrapped in a damp cloth for 24 hours,
• Sort through the seeds and discard any that are not soggy,
• dig the soil to a depth of 5-7 cm,
• break the breasts
• level the ground
• sow the seeds
• water (lightly; under no circumstances should the area be flooded with water; the soil should be moist, but not wet).

If you use this procedure, the lawn will grow completely, without bald spots, and will be uniform. It needs to be trimmed, regardless of the type of grass, at least once a week. This will prevent stems from appearing.

The green lawn near the house has magnetism; it makes the area well-groomed and indicates that the owners love order. If you decide to do the landscaping yourself, study what grass should be like for a lawn, when to plant it, what are the pros and cons different varieties, and also what is the difference between annual and perennial plants. Despite many nuances, the use of seeds correct composition – The best decision, because it is very difficult to obtain an even thick coating from ordinary herbs.

One crop or grass mixture: which is better?

Grass lawns come in different varieties and seeds are selected depending on their type. Let's figure out which grass mixtures and monocultures are suitable for lawns in personal plots.

A well-groomed lawn is a decoration for the yard

Main types of lawns

All lawns can be divided into two groups - decorative and special use. Special lawns are football fields, sports grounds, golf courses, roadside areas and airfield lawns. Such coatings must withstand the intense load associated with active movement on the grass. The second, decorative, group includes:

• standard lawn;
• ground floor;
• Mauritanian;
• English;
• meadow

Moorish meadow

Since the purpose of sports and ornamental grasses is radically different, the choice of seeds for them also has significant differences. The grass on a football field, like on a golf course, must be of high quality, have a strong root system and special leaves that do not turn into mush the first time it gets under your shoes. Monoculture is more suitable for this purpose rather than a mixed lawn of different seeds.

Features and differences between monocultures and grass mixtures

Pure crops, consisting of one variety of plants, are most often used for lawns on sports grounds, football fields and other special surfaces. To organize home lawns, they are too demanding in terms of lighting, watering, and soil type. Not every summer resident will be able to satisfy these whims, especially if it is not possible to provide regular watering and care. In addition, such seeds have a high price.

For personal plots and garden lawns, a perennial lawn made from a mixture of seeds will be very beneficial - it stays green longer and does not require annual planting. Unlike perennial herbs annual plants They quickly fade after the seeds ripen, and even watering cannot help preserve the greenery - you can’t go against nature. Perennial herbs will bloom and bear fruit again if they are given proper care.

The stores provide enough big choice grass mixtures of several varieties. If you want to get a smooth lawn covering that can adapt well to the climate and be resistant to diseases, definitely choose mixed formulations. The components in the prefabricated planting material are selected so that they do not compete, but complement each other.

Perennial herb mixtures

What can busy gardeners do who don’t want or can’t devote time to the hassle of sowing a lawn? There is for them great option– a ready-made clover lawn with small leaves. Such “carpets” are sold in rolls, which should be spread on prepared soil no later than 1-2 days after cutting. The first two weeks the lawn needs to be watered abundantly so that the plants take root.

Choosing grass for the lawn: basic nuances

Bright green, soft grass for the lawn is the dream of private home owners. To obtain exactly this result, it is recommended to use perennial grasses with a rhizomatous-bush growth pattern.

Garden landscape

Required qualities of grass for a lawn

Grass for the lawn should be selected based on its purpose. You also need to take into account the quality of the seed and the type of soil so that the plants can grow evenly and beautifully on it. There are other criteria for selecting seeds that relate to the site:

• height of groundwater;
• terms of Use;
• purpose of the lawn (for sports games, site decorations or other);
• climate;
• solar Activity;
• frequency of site maintenance.

Moorish flowering lawn

If you want to create a real oasis on your site, you will need grass for the lawn with flowers. It is beautiful and also useful for the garden - flowering plants attract bees and other insects involved in pollination. A mixture of cereals, herbs and wildflowers is suitable for these purposes. It is preferable that they bloom at different times, then the lawn will please the house with its appearance for as long as possible - right up to autumn.

When creating Moorish meadows, it is important to combine plants with stems of the same height so that they do not crowd each other. The herbs that landscape designers use in their work are a mixture of cornflowers, flax, calendula, daisies, nemesia, forget-me-nots, primroses, red clover, saxifrage and popovnik. Grains such as thin bentgrass, bluegrass and fescue are perfect for them. Choose your grass mixture based on these composition recommendations.

Rules for choosing grass for different lawns

Grass mixtures for the site can be selected according to certain characteristics:

• sunny - suitable for growing in open areas, tolerates warm climates;
• shady - consist of herbs that are quite adapted to grow in shaded places;
• universal - with the properties of the solar and shadow groups;
• quick – to restore damaged areas of the lawn in short term due to rapid germination.

Mixture of slow-growing species

Next, we consider the features of choosing grass cover for different sites, taking into account all the above requirements. Preference is given to mixtures of several plants. Each type of cereal crop has its own pros and cons, which is why it is recommended to use a grass mixture. The plants that are part of it will compensate for each other's weaknesses as they grow, creating an excellent result.

Lawn covering on the playground

A grass carpet on which children will play is quite reasonably required to be wear-resistant and soft at the same time. The best choice for this purpose - to plant a lawn from white clover with the addition of cereals, which will ensure the density of the coating.

You can also use red, white creeping, pink and other varieties of clover - they will all give the desired softness. Blooming clover will add coziness courtyard kindergarten.

The time for sowing is a long period from the second ten days of May to mid-September. To obtain dense, beautiful vegetation, 40 g of seeds should be sown per meter of area. If necessary, the lawn can be “repaired” by sowing seeds in places with bald spots. As for the composition of the grass mixture for the playground, it may include the following plants:

• cocksfoot;
• red and meadow fescue;
• ryegrass;
• timothy grass.

Traditional turf on the playground

Features of choosing a mixture for special-purpose lawns

We are talking about green areas and alleys on the territory of resorts, airfields, and on slopes road surface and other areas where the grass cover should purify the air and absorb noise. The decorative purpose fades into the background. The main thing is that the grass in such areas can withstand gas pollution and the heat of the sun's rays. Suitable for these purposes:

• rump;
• ryegrass;
• bluegrass;
• shoot-forming bentgrass.

The same herbs can be used for sowing along the fence if the area is close to a railroad or highway.

Selection and sowing of grass for a sports field

Optimal types grasses for sports lawns are varieties that can withstand intense loads, soil breaks, trampling and other mechanical damage at any time of the year. Such grounds are organized for golf, football and other sports games, as well as for holding active events on the territory of schools and kindergartens.

Seeds should be sown in early November or late October at a rate of 40-50 g per 1 square meter. m. In places with the highest load, the norm doubles. An area of ​​high load, for example, is the area near the football goal. Grass mixtures for sports fields often consist of the following cereals:

• English or perennial ryegrass;
• meadow bluegrass;
• meadow or red fescue.

The grass on the golf course must be immaculate.

If the climate in your area is cold, choose the time to sow lawn grass based on the average daily air temperature. Outside the window it should be no lower than 6-8 degrees Celsius, otherwise the sprouted sprouts will not have time to get stronger and get used to weather conditions before the real winter arrives. If everything is done correctly, in the spring you will be pleased with uniform, dense shoots.

Selection and sowing of grasses for ornamental lawns

As you know, decorative coverings include garden and park, parterre, meadow, Moorish and English lawns. The load on such clearings is minimal; their main function is to decorate the site. The main criteria when choosing a grass mixture are the aesthetics of the green carpet and the brightness of the color. And for a Moorish lawn, it is also important to have a variety of color accents among flowering plants.

For a parterre lawn you only need a couple of varieties of grass, while for other types of ornamental lawns you will need more seeds. Landscape designers recommend the best varieties of grass for the lawn:

• bentgrass is shoot-forming and giant;
• ryegrass (annual and perennial varieties are suitable);
• meadow and sheep fescue;
• meadow bluegrass;
• awnless rump;
• all types of clover (preference for pink hybrid, meadow, white creeping).

Decorative lawns go well with flower beds

For sowing you need 20-40 g of seeds per 1 square meter. m, which is quite economical. If there is a lot of clover in the grass mixture, which has a highly branched stem, you can use 20 g of seeds; if there is more of other herbs, it is better to sow 40 g. The optimal time for this is cool autumn or spring. The summer months are suitable for patching up bald spots in the lawn grass. As for the height of plants, it is not recommended to mow them below 5-7 cm.

Types and varieties of lawn grasses: a brief description

Low-growing clover remains a popular lawn plant, because it decorates the area and smells great during flowering. There are other grasses that are most often used in lawn mixtures.

Traditional choice - meadow bluegrass

It is heat and frost resistant perennial, which at good care It turns green quickly, but also quickly loses its beauty with insufficient watering and weeding. Yes, in the first year of growing a bluegrass lawn you will have to actively remove weeds, but after a year you will get an even and dense layer through which it will be difficult for weeds to break through. It is not as beautiful as a decorative clover lawn, but it is very practical.

If your site is in the shade, choose forest or squat bluegrass, because its meadow counterpart will suffer from powdery mildew. Perhaps this is the first of the significant disadvantages of using this plant as a monoculture.

The second is the requirement for care. Plus meadow bluegrass in long term life and early appearance of greenery. Your area will begin to turn green immediately after the snow melts!

Meadow bluegrass during flowering

Perennial ryegrass – “fast” lawn

Ryegrass is a plant that has unique viability in warm climates. That is why it is also used for sowing pastures (by the way, another name for the variety is pasture). If this grass predominates in your grass mixture, the area will be green until the end of November, right up to frost. All care for ryegrass consists of moderate watering and cutting, after which it quickly recovers.

The advantages of ryegrass are resistance to diseases, trampling, excellent germination rate and a lifespan of up to 7 years. The disadvantage of the cereal is a fairly high percentage of freezing of the sown area. About 60% of this lawn grass will overwinter. For comparison, bluegrass practically does not freeze even in the harshest winter (losses are less than 3%). Therefore, in cold regions, ryegrass will have to be reseeded.

What does perennial ryegrass look like?

Red fescue - grass without whims

The main advantage of this variety of lawn grass is its unpretentiousness to conditions. Even without proper care, the lawn will have a beautiful appearance, and the grass on it will be silky and soft. In terms of characteristics, fescue has drought resistance and shade tolerance in first place. If you want a grain that will stay green even if you're away for a week, go for red fescue.

Fescue seeds

You can combine it with bluegrass to keep your lawn green for as long as possible. During dry periods, unpretentious fescue will please the eye, and in the cold autumn period, right up to severe frosts, the frost resistance of bluegrass grass will come in handy. As for overwintering, perennial fescue germinates 90-95% in the spring. There is practically no need to finish it.

Fescue is an unpretentious plant

Clover and its varieties

Clover, or shamrock, is a godsend for lawn areas large area. This perennial herb is distinguished by a beautiful carpet and the presence of many patterned leaves of emerald color. In botany, there are more than 300 types of clover, but no more than 20 are used to decorate the landscape. White, meadow and red clover for the lawn are considered one of the most popular, as well as several decorative species bred specifically for decorating areas.

Clover goes well with other plants

Before sowing grass, it is necessary to destroy weeds so that they do not choke the young plants. A clover carpet can cope with this task on its own from the second year of its life. You may even have to keep it confined to one area or it will spread throughout your yard. Since shamrock is still a wild plant, most of its species do not require special care.

Clover loves fertilizer and responds well to fertilizing with manure, which can be applied in the fall. Once every two months, fertilizing with potassium-phosphorus preparations is also allowed. If the site is located on podzolic soil, you will have to spray the plantings with boron fertilizers when the first signs of flowering appear. There is no need to use any other means of feeding.

Unusual clover will decorate the area

If you plan to grow grass not only for ornamental purposes, but also for feeding rabbits, you can combine alfalfa and clover lawn, since alfalfa is high in fiber and protein. You can also add some sainfoin seeds, which is also an unpretentious crop. Please note that alfalfa ages faster than trefoil, so the percentage of its seeds in the mixture should be lower.

Choosing grass for a beautiful lawn is a responsible matter, because it will not be possible to correct mistakes right away. If you are unsure whether an herb mixture or monoculture is suitable for your soil, watering conditions and climate, consult an expert. He will help create green carpet, which will decorate the yard for several years and will create a wonderful mood.

Lawn grass that destroys weeds: photos, how to choose and plant. Lawn grass that destroys weeds. Experienced owners know that there is lawn grass that destroys weeds. It is an excellent assistant in the fight against weeds on your personal plot. In addition, lawns serve as excellent decorative decoration any landscape, including personal summer cottages.

Lawn grass sown on the site

Lawn grass that kills weeds

Weeds are the strongest plants, able to survive in any, even the most extreme conditions. No one can get rid of them once and for all. However, there are methods that can significantly simplify the fight. One such method is to grow lawn grass, which kills weeds. You won't be able to completely get rid of them, but with proper care you can reduce their number to a minimum.

Smooth grass carpet without weeds

Lawn grass is a mixture of perennial herbaceous plants, forming a continuous grass cover. Lawns have different purposes: sports, decorative and shade-tolerant. For all of them, their own herbs have been selected, having necessary qualities. For a sports lawn – resistance to trampling, for a decorative lawn – beauty, for a shade-tolerant lawn – resistance to lack of light.

There are several species lawn grass that destroy weeds better than others:

• bentgrass. This grass constantly requires watering and is afraid of heat. At the same time, it kills weeds very well. It has good decorative properties;

Bentgrass

• red fescue. This plant is frost resistant;

Red fescue

• meadow bluegrass is a plant that is not afraid even of frost. Its seeds can easily overwinter on the surface of the earth;

Meadow bluegrass

• microclover is not susceptible to heat and drought. It does not need frequent watering and fertilizing. Where it is, weeds are very uncomfortable.

Microclover

Sowing a lawn by itself will not solve the weed problem, so it is necessary to take a set of additional measures to achieve the goal:

1. High quality pre-sowing treatment Digging the soil and applying herbicides will destroy most weeds.
2. Applying fertilizers to autumn-spring period. In spring - nitrogen, in autumn - potassium and phosphorus.
3. Periodic lawn mowing. Weeds do not like constant pruning and die over time.

Lawn grass cutting

Helpful advice! Lawn grasses that destroy weeds require special attention in the first year after sowing. They need to be weeded, trimmed, thoroughly watered and fed. In the future, their root system will become stronger, and the grass will not need such care. Gradually, the lawn will crowd out weeds.

If you decide to sow a lawn and come to the store to buy seeds, you will be surprised at the amount various types mixtures.

to get the greatest effect? When to sow lawn grass? You need to get the answer to these questions before going to the store.

Lawn grass in a suburban area

Lawn mowing The main procedure on which the beauty of the lawn depends is regular mowing. Depending on its size, you can use different lawn mowers. Suitable for small lawns electric lawn mowers , for larger ones - diesel. For people who have little time but money, self-propelled lawn mowers powered by solar panels

or batteries.

To keep your lawn looking neat, you need to use edging and trimming blades (manual and cordless) to cut stems in places that lawn mowers cannot reach, such as under bushes, perennials, or near tree trunks.

How to choose lawn grass that kills weeds

The properties of the lawn depend on the percentage of seeds. If bluegrass predominates, the lawn will be dark in color. A large amount of ryegrass produces good turf, which allows you to overseed it in trampled areas of the lawn.

Before as choose lawn grass that kills weeds, you need to carefully read the description that is on the packaging of any mixture. In this case, it is necessary to take into account not only the decorative component, but also the requirements for the soil, climatic conditions of the area, illumination of the site, as well as the purpose of the lawn.

Lawn grass seeds

The information on the grass mixture packaging must contain the following information:

1. Species composition of cereals.
2. The year in which the seeds were produced.
3. Sowing rate, that is, the amount of mixture per 1 m2 of area.
4. Country and address of the manufacturer.

Even knowing how to choose lawn grass destroying weeds, you need to check the packaging itself. There should be no holes or tears in it. The seeds themselves must have international and national product quality certificates and be fully adapted to the climate of the region in which you live.

Packages with seeds

After the choice is made, you need to wait for sowing time and begin to form the lawn. To do this, you need to familiarize yourself with how to plant lawn grass. This also has its own nuances and wisdom.

Helpful advice! When purchasing seeds not in a ready-made grass mixture, but separately, it is necessary to take into account all the properties of certain cereals. If two or three cereals are mixed, then you need to select seeds from same shade and growth rate.

Various types of lawn grass

How to plant lawn grass

Before planting weed-killing lawn grass, it is necessary to prepare the area for planting. To do this, it is marked and cleared of weed roots. It is better to do this a couple of times with an interval of 2 weeks. After this, the marked area is leveled so that it is horizontal. If it is necessary to divide the territory into flower beds with straight boundaries, then use twine with pegs, along which marking lines are drawn.

Then they are treated with herbicides. When purchasing them, you should pay attention to what weeds they are intended for. Spring weed seedlings are much more amenable to treatment than autumn ones, since the latter are able to shed seeds that will still germinate in the spring. In an area treated with herbicides, the grass will quickly turn yellow and die. After this, you need to collect it all and pull out small bushes, if any. Processing is carried out at 2-week intervals.

Weeding in a prepared area

Helpful advice! To completely get rid of weeds, it is recommended to cover the area with a geotextile cloth. This measure will not only kill the remaining weed roots, but will also prevent their seeds from germinating.

The second stage of work includes preparing the soil itself. To do this you need:

• determine the chemical composition of the soil. Find out its moisture content and structural features. Add chalk or lime to acidic soil. Heavy clay soil must be diluted with humus or vermicompost;
• Apply mineral fertilizers according to the recommendations from the grass mixture packaging. It should be taken into account that in the spring nitrogen compounds are added, which stimulate plant growth, and in the fall, potassium and phosphorus are added, which allow them to safely overwinter;
• loosen the fertilized soil, level it and moderately moisten it;
• after that, take a heavy roller, up to 100 kg, and carefully roll the entire area with it. If flaws are found, smooth them out and additionally roll the area;
• after completion, you need to wait a week for the soil to shrink and remove any weeds that may still appear during this time.

The soil is compacted before and after planting seeds.

The duration of the second stage is 1 week. Only after this can you begin to plant lawn grass. How to do this correctly will be discussed further.

First, you need to mentally divide the entire area into several equal parts. Divide all the seeds in equal quantities for each part. In this case, the flow will be uniform.

Secondly, the soil is watered with a hose equipped with a shower head to prevent uneven areas from appearing. This should only be done when it is dry.

Thirdly, the seeds are scattered crosswise over the site in calm weather. This will ensure an even fit.

Sowing lawn grass

Fourthly, the soil is loosened with a rake and rolled with the same heavy roller so that the seeds are underground.

Fifthly, the entire area is watered moderately with a hose with a nozzle, being careful not to damage the soil surface.

Helpful advice! Don't skimp on seeds. Bald spots on the lawn will very quickly be overgrown with weeds and everything will have to be repeated again.

Watering the lawn

Another important question - when to sow lawn grass that kills weeds? The answer to this requires detailed description principles of plant vegetation. However, some general rules can be identified.

When to sow lawn grass

Sowing of any lawn is carried out during the growing season of plants, that is, from May to September. The best time is spring or autumn. The main thing is that the seedlings appear before the first frost. The full cycle from sowing to strengthening the seedlings is 4–6 weeks. This is what we need to proceed from in order to make it before the frosts.

Mowing with a lawnmower

Knowing when to sow lawn grass and basic agricultural techniques, you can create a beautiful lawn on your site that will for a long time pleasing to the eyes and will save you from overgrowing with weeds.

Video: how to sow lawn grass

Similar materials

In addition to good germination, they have a relatively uniform color, they are frost-resistant and are not too demanding on the nutritional value of the soil. It is not surprising that all of these grains are present in varying degrees in any grass mixture for lawns.

Depending on the purpose of the lawn, the specifics of the area and personal preferences, various compositions of grasses are selected, which are commonly called grass mixtures for lawns. Whether it is a site that does not require mowing, or turf that is resistant to trampling, the composition of the grass mixture for lawns will vary in each case.

Landscape lawn: composition of grasses

Caring for a garden or regular lawn does not require constant intervention. The grass cover is dense and hides the occasional presence of wild grasses, in particular creeping wheatgrass. Therefore, no special lawn grass is required - broad-leaved grasses with the addition of fescue and bentgrass are suitable.

What grass to sow for a garden lawn?

Bluegrass (Poa nemoralis)

Perennial lawn grass that forms loose, soft turf. It grows in height about 30–100 cm. The width of the leaf blades is 1.5–2 mm. Flowering occurs in May–June, panicle size is 10 cm.

This grass is usually included in lawn grass mixtures, broken at the foot of the trees, does not require good lighting. Moist, acidic soil is suitable. But frequent cuttings of the Bluegrass lead to its loss and depletion.

Meadow bluegrass (Poa pratensis)

Ornamental grass for lawns, perennial, grows up to 100 cm. Loose turf consists of narrow leaves. June–July is the flowering period. The plant prefers meadows, fields, steppes, illuminated edges, and is not afraid of trampling.
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Ordinary lawns, especially on light rocky soils and shady areas, almost always contain. Please note that this lawn grass is not suitable for planting on chalky and overly moist soils. In addition, frequent low haircuts are contraindicated for her.

Among the varieties of meadow bluegrass, the most suitable herbs for lawn:

• 'Andante' - squat plants, characterized by increased resistance to diseases such as leaf spot.
• 'Connie' - low-growing turfs, colored in rich green color. They grow thickly. The variety is resistant to many diseases and trampling.
• 'Compact' - representatives of this variety with narrow leaves are also resistant to mechanical stress, are characterized by rapid growth, and tolerate dry periods well.
• 'Balin' - increased endurance, resistance to diseases, fast growth- the main characteristics of this variety.
• ‘Sobra’ - a rather attractive and very resistant variety to external influences.

Annual bluegrass (Poa annua)

Usually an annual, but occasionally a perennial herb. The sods are from 5 to 35 cm tall, the panicles are small - no more than 1 cm. The plant prefers to settle near the road, hides in ditches, and quickly fills trampled places. If ordinary lawns only benefit from the presence of Poa annua, then in ground lawns it is considered a weed.

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The species grows in any soil and is great for low cutting. At high temperatures leaves turn yellow and lawn grass may fall out.

Common bluegrass (Poa triviales)

Forms sods with short creeping rhizomes. The stem size is 20–120 cm. The width of the smooth leaves is up to 6 mm, the color is bright green. The species is distinguished by its ability to quickly take root, prefers heavy and calcareous soils, and likes to settle in damp areas. However, the plant is not particularly frost-resistant. In addition, the common bluegrass loses its attractive appearance with prolonged trampling and is not resistant to drought.

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Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)

A distinctive feature of this species is the pink tint at the base of young leaves. The leaf blades themselves are light green, 4 mm thick. Some varieties are characterized by even narrower leaves, slow growth and good tolerance to low haircuts.

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The plant is a common component of grass mixtures for garden lawns. It tolerates heavy soils well, is resistant to trampling, and can grow quickly. Popular varieties of perennial ryegrass:

• 'Figaro' - multi-purpose use, increased resistance to trampling, dense cover and immunity to many diseases - the main differences of the perennial Ryegrass variety ‘Figaro’.
• 'Taya' - used to create a multi-purpose lawn, providing a thick and healthy looking surface. The main characteristics are resistance to drought, endurance, increased resistance to trampling.
• 'Sakini' - plants of this variety are characterized by slow growth, but quickly take root. Wear-resistant.
• 'Juventus' - this variety was bred specifically as an ornamental grass for lawns, creating a thick cover of green, medium-thick leaves. Plants are distinguished by increased resistance to stress, in particular - elevated temperatures, fungi that cause leaf rust.
• 'Skor' - representatives of this variety quickly take root, forming wear-resistant, dense, high turf.
• 'Danilo' - grasses suitable for forming beautiful lawns, with narrow green or dark green leaf blades. They grow densely and are resistant to wear.

Meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis)

Another perennial grass for lawns arranged in moderately moist areas. When flooded melt water can grow for about a month without harming its health. In height it is meadow plant can reach 140 cm, but usually much lower (30–100 cm). The leaves are narrow and flat. Meadow fescue blooms in June, panicle size up to 18 mm. Resistant to trampling.

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Timothy grass (Phleum pratense)

The plants form loose bushes, the height of the stems, swollen at the base, is from 15 to 120 cm, the width of the green/gray-green leaves is up to 10 mm. Added to grass mixtures for gardening and meadow lawns.

Meadow Timothy grass turfs are not afraid of trampling; they prefer moist, heavy soils. Low cutting is contraindicated, as is planting in sandy soil.

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Common comb (Cynosurus cristatus)

The stem height of this perennial is from 20 to 75 cm, the leaf blades are very narrow. Flowering occurs in June–July, and dense spike-shaped panicles are formed.

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It grows well on light soils; in nature, its usual habitat is meadows and clearings. Resistant to trampling.

How to choose grass mixtures for parterre lawns?

The emerald green of the parterre lawn is distinguished by its uniform color and perfectly flat surface. This effect can be achieved by the presence of Polevitsa in the grass mixture for lawns. various types, Fescue. But perennial ryegrass and cereals with wide leaf blades are contraindicated for entry there. On the territory of Russia, meadow bluegrass is usually used to create a parterre lawn. And of course, such an area requires regular low haircuts.

The best grass mixtures for the ground floor (or as it is also called the “English lawn”) include the following types of cereals:

Sheep fescue (Festuca ovina)

A perennial lawn grass that forms dense turf or tussocks. The height of the stems is from 20 to 40 cm, the leaf blades are very narrow - no more than 0.7 mm. Meadows, sands, forests, clearings, clearings - the plant is widespread throughout Russia. It is well tolerated by regular mowing, drought-resistant and wear-resistant.

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In addition to lawns, they are used to create rocky gardens and mixed borders.

The best varieties:

• 'Discovery' - hair-like leaves dark green, form dense grass. Compared to other varieties of Sheep Fescue ‘Discovery’ is the most resistant to drought and best tolerates soil salinity.
• 'Triana' And ‘Ridu’ - a distinctive feature of these varieties is increased drought resistance and the ability to quickly adapt.

Red fescue (Festuca rubra)

The rhizomes of this perennial form loose turf. The base of the flat leaves is colored red with a brown tint, the width of the leaf blades is up to 2.5 mm, the maximum height of the stem is about 80 cm. Flowering occurs in June–August, the spike-shaped panicle is up to 10 cm in size. In nature, it prefers clearings, meadows, sandy soils . It is frost-resistant, tolerates trampling well, and is not afraid of shaded places. This species is included in almost all popular grass mixtures for lawns.

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Red fescue subspecies red (Festuca rubra subsp.rubra)

Rhizomatous grass. The leaves are very narrow and grow in bunches. The plant is drought- and frost-resistant and thrives in light soils. It grows quite slowly, so it can mix with other slow-growing fescue species. It is found in both ground floor and sports lawns.

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• 'Pernille' - valued for its narrow, very durable leaves, thick cover and increased resistance to diseases.
• 'Diego' - glossy soft green leaves delight the eye throughout the growing season.
• 'Laxton' - this variety is distinguished by thick cover and increased resistance to rust. Due to its glossy leaves, it looks good on home lawns.
• 'Rapid' , 'Rubina' , 'Echo' - the most famous varieties, are popular as drought-resistant and reliable in growing grass.

Variable red fescue (Festuca rubra commutata)

Parterre lawns cannot do without this species. It gets along without problems with other grass-like grasses, the most aggressive of which can displace variable red fescue. The plant quickly takes root, forming dense turf without shoots. It tolerates low haircuts, withstands drought well, and prefers light soils.

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Dog bentgrass (Agrostis canina)

The height of this perennial grass is no more than 30 cm. The rhizomes are thin, short, the shoots take root on the surface, forming an elastic, dense turf of rich green shades. The plant likes to settle on waterlogged peat soils, but it also masters other types of soil well. It is frost-resistant and tolerates lack of lighting well.

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The first year grows at a slow pace, formation occurs in the second, and more often in the third year.

Slender bentgrass (Agrostis capillaris)

The short rhizomes of this perennial form into a loose turf covering. The height of the stem is 10–60 cm, the width of the delicate bright green leaves is up to 4 mm.

Prefers glades, sandy soils, and low-growing meadows. The grass is characterized by slow growth; regular cutting allows you to form a neat grassy canvas with a dense structure. resistant to frequent pruning, but does not tolerate trampling.

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White bentgrass (Agrostis alba)

A distinctive feature of this lawn grass is the ability to form numerous shoots, as well as a branched root system that holds the soil together well. In this case, a strong elastic turf is formed. Dark green leaves reach a width of 2 mm.

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The grass grows slowly in the year of planting, loves light soils, but tolerates sandy loam and loam well. Resistant to trampling and frequent pruning. Decorative with proper care up to 10 years of age. It is used in lawns for various purposes.

Bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera)

Perennial loose-turf grass with creeping shoots up to 40 cm long. Flat short leaf blades are colored light green color, reach no more than 5 cm in length and up to 2 mm in width. As the name implies, it is capable of producing long lateral shoots, which easily (and most importantly, independently) take root in the event of damage to the mother plant. This property is often attractive inexperienced gardeners and often leads to uncontrolled growth of the cereal, taking over any more or less free space.

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The plant prefers loamy, sandy loam and sandy soils, but it is also not afraid of saline and acidic areas. Frost-resistant, resistant to spring damping. However, in the fall it requires cutting as low as possible, otherwise the grass will be withered in the spring.

Varieties of bentgrass:

• ‘Prominent’ - high density of grass stand, narrow dark green leaves make it possible to use this grass, in particular, for arranging golf courses. The variety is distinguished by increased resistance to pink spot.
• 'Kromi' - forms magnificent lawns, suitable for forming the cover of a golf course. Provides dense grass and is resistant to low mowing. Differs in winter hardiness.

Grasses suitable for meadow lawns

A meadow is an area with herbaceous plants whose stems are relatively rigid. Heavy trampling of such a lawn is contraindicated. Just like frequent haircuts, which is enough once a month.

Composition of grass mixture for meadow lawn should include flora characteristic of the local natural area. In particular this could be:

Soddy pike (Deschampsia cespitosa)

Leaves are light green in color and up to 3 mm wide. and stems from 30 to 100 cm long form turf hummocks. A very ornamental grass, it prefers swampy meadows and the banks of water bodies, and is characterized by the ability to form entire thickets. Well suited for mixborders.

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Pussinellia distans

Perennial turf grass with stems from 15 to 50 cm long and dark green leaves about 55 mm. width. In nature, grass can be found on the banks of water bodies, along dirt roads, and saline soils. Not observed in culture.

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Soft brome (Bromus mollis)

An annual, rather ornamental grass, not picky about the type of soil. Long flowering - May–September. Reacts well to mowing.

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Bromopsis inermis (Bromopsis inermis)

A perennial herb, it has a cord-like rhizome with root shoots. The stem grows up to 100 cm, the dark green leaves are quite wide - from 4 to 10 mm. The habitat of the cereal is sparse forests, meadows, and riverine sands. The awnless brome is distinguished by its unpretentiousness, resistance to mowing and trampling, and is not afraid of shaded and waterlogged areas. Reacts well to the application of nitrogen fertilizers.

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Hedgehog (Dactylis glomerata)

A shade-tolerant perennial herb, it grows 35–120 cm in height. The leaves, reaching from 5 to 20 mm in width, have a light green color. Prefers meadows, can settle along roads. Hedgehog grows well on fertile soils, but with sufficient aeration it does well on heavy loamy and moderately acidic soils.

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Foxtail (Alopecurus geniculatus)

Annual or biennial up to 40 cm high with green leaves. Due to the purple-colored anthers, the flowering Foxtail is especially decorative. The banks of reservoirs, wet, swampy soils - this is where representatives of this species can usually be found.

Meadow foxtail (Alopecurus pratensis)

Perennial lawn grass that forms loose turf. The height of the stems is from 50 to 120 cm, the width of the juicy green leaves is from 4 to 6 mm. The anthers of the cylindrical inflorescence are white and pink; the flowering period occurs in June - at this time the plant has its most decorative appearance.

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Meadow foxtail prefers sandy, poor soils, is not afraid of prolonged flooding by rain and melt water, and tolerates mowing well.

Creeping wheatgrass (Elymus repens)

The perennial has very long branched rhizomes and stems from 50 to 120 cm long. Leaf blades are up to 10 mm wide. Prefers glades, meadows, coastal sandy soils. The plant is not suitable for parterre and garden lawns; there it is considered a weed. Component of grass mixture for lawns special purpose, a component of lawns.

The grass is polymorphic, comes in bluish and green shades, is hairy and bare. Any soil is suitable for its cultivation.

The correct composition of grass mixture for lawns: we prepare it ourselves

Typically, manufacturers sell ready-made grass seed mixtures for lawns with a balanced ratio of different types. But, having the necessary planting material, you can mix the seeds yourself. Here are examples of the most common grass mixtures for various classes of lawns.

Gardening:

• Thin bentgrass - 1 part;
• Red fescue - 2 parts;
• Variable red fescue - 3 parts;
• Meadow bluegrass - 4 parts.

Parterre:

• Red fescue - 2 parts;
• Thin bentgrass - 8 parts.

Lugovoy:

• Meadow fescue 1 part
• Red fescue 3 parts
• Perennial ryegrass 6 parts.

IN landscape design It is customary to classify lawns according to their purpose. Accordingly, the types of herbs that are included in the mixture for sowing are selected. You can arrange any of them yourself, adhering to the basic rules and recommendations of experts.

If you decide to decorate part of the garden with a lawn, you can choose from the following types:

• ground lawn. The most expensive to arrange and maintain, but also the most decorative. Very resistant to trampling, quickly recovers after mowing. As a rule, the grasses included in its composition quickly form turf and grow well.
• sports lawn. It is characterized by increased resistance to trampling, but requires constant feeding, care, and haircuts.
• Moorish lawn. One of the most unpretentious grasses. The grass mixture for it includes simple plants, which can often be found in natural meadows. Due to their violent bright flowering an amazing coating is formed that delights with colors almost the entire season. If you prefer such a lawn, the reviews about it are predominantly positive, since with a minimum of effort and investment you will get a luxuriously decorated area.

Other types, such as garden and meadow, are very rarely used for country gardening.

If you can’t choose between ground lawn and sports lawn, you want your lawn to be at the same time very beautiful, stable and durable, but at the same time undemanding to soil and care, it’s worth purchasing special mixture. It combines selected varieties of herbs.

Lilliputian lawn grass looks surprisingly decorative and has the qualities of sporting and parterre at the same time. At the same time, she is rightly called “lazy.” To give the grass mixture all the necessary characteristics, breeding scientists worked on it for a long time, using the experience of Asian and European specialists.

Why is Lilliputian lawn grass so attractive to gardeners?

• it perfectly tolerates difficult growing conditions, withstands sudden cold snaps, frosts, and drought;
• resistant to mechanical damage, loads, and trampling, which makes it universal and suitable even for small areas;
• develops well in the shade, while the cover retains its thickness and richness of color;
• herbs have soft leaves, making them pleasant and silky to the touch;
• maintenance is minimal; it only needs to be cut in the second year after sowing.

This type also has disadvantages. The main one is the high cost of planting, since Lilliputian grass seeds small size, which means that to ensure high-quality cover over a large area, more sprouts are needed. Accordingly, sowing rates increase compared to conventional seeds.

Lilliputian lawn composition

With proper care, your lawn will look beautiful. First of all, this effect is ensured by the composition. This includes the best lawn grass, reviews of which can be found on our website.

Meadow bluegrass SOBRA/EVORA

Usually its amount is 1/5 of the total composition of the grass mixture. The shoots have a rich color. Bluegrass forms a dense, even turf, displacing weeds from the sowing area. Can be stored for up to three years.

Red fescue SERGEI

This component ranks first in the number of seeds in the mixture - 25%. The plant tolerates drought and sudden temperature changes well, and forms a bright green cover.

Red fescue CHANCELLOR

Hybrid view grass, which was bred specifically for a “lazy” lawn. The composition includes 20%, and it should also contain other types of fescue. It grows quickly and forms turf, thanks to a large number aboveground shoots.

Red fescue CAROUSEL (10%)

Thanks to the inclusion of this plant in the grass mixture, excellent lawn density is achieved. In addition, it tolerates dry weather well and is resistant to frost.

Fine bentgrass HIGHLAND (10%)

Ornamental grass, which is able to maintain its bright color even during frosts, is unpretentious and resistant to trampling.

Bentgrass KROMI

The remaining 5% of the grass mixture is given to these seeds. Included in the composition due to the rapid formation of turf and growth. It is known that one plant can occupy up to 1 square meter of area. It tolerates harsh winters well, is drought-resistant and unpretentious, has a soft, dense grass stand.

All seeds have passed international certification and have increased resistance to various weather conditions. This lawn grass, which has the most positive reviews from experts, is certainly a leader among “lazy” crops.

Features of sowing and caring for a lazy lawn

Before you start sowing the Lilliput mixture, you need to carefully dig up the area that you have chosen for it. Remove debris, glass, large roots of trees and shrubs, after which the soil must be compacted a little and left in this condition for at least a week. During this time, the weed seeds that are in the soil will germinate, and you can easily remove them so that in the future they do not interfere with the formation of the lawn.

Sowing

You should sow to a depth of 1-3 cm, and try to do it evenly, leveling it with a rake. After completing the work, it is recommended to water the soil abundantly. It is highly advisable to cover the area with covering material, which will protect the seeds from being pecked by birds or from rain, which can wash them away beyond the lawn area.

Watering

If the first shoots do not appear for a long time, pay attention to the condition of the soil. Perhaps it has dried out, or a crust has formed on its surface, which does not allow sprouts to break through. In this case, you need to carefully aerate it and moisten it well.

In the future, the optimal regime for watering the lawn is 2 times a week until the onset of a hot period (irrigating the lawn during hot weather is not recommended, as this can cause burns to the plants).

Mowing

Seeds selected in the Lilliput mixture grow very slowly, so mowing the lawn will not be a problem. The first time the procedure is carried out in the second year after sowing, when the sprouts have reached 8-10 cm.

The height of the remaining grass cover should not exceed 3 cm. Next, you will only need to mow the lawn a few times per season.

Top dressing

Despite its unpretentiousness, a green lawn still requires fertilizer. The first application should be at the stage of preparatory work, before sowing. Then a complex preparation containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in proportions 6:2:4 is added.

Further fertilization occurs along with watering after mowing. Such fertilizing will make the lawn more decorative and disease resistant.

Soil aeration

Sometimes the grass cover loses its attractiveness, becomes dull, and quickly turns yellow. This may be due to the fact that it accumulates a layer of “organic debris” - moss, dead or mown grass. It does not allow the lawn to “breathe”, natural aeration is disrupted, and the flow of moisture is limited and nutrients to the roots of plants. To avoid this, periodically pierce the entire perimeter of the turf using mechanical or automatic aerators. After this procedure, the lawn needs to be watered well.

According to gardeners who have long equipped a sports lawn, reviews about it can be made no earlier than the second year after sowing, when its quality is already visible, and the costs of its maintenance have been calculated. This also applies to the Lilliput coating.

Therefore, our specialists conducted quality testing, which showed high decorative characteristics coatings, along with durability and elasticity. They noted that according to appearance Lilliput looks like a sports lawn grass, reviews of which are only positive.

Bottom line

If you are still wondering which lawn is best to plant in your dacha, reviews of Lilliput grass should convince you that this is the best solution for garden plot. With a minimum of effort, you will get a beautiful decorative coating that will be an excellent addition to your landscape design.