The equipment of garden beds with vegetables and greenhouses in summer cottages is a thing of the past. Now preference is given to family vacations in nature, where the view of the green cover causes exceptionally pleasant emotions. One of the methods of arrangement is the laying of rolled grass. At the same time, it is important to know how to properly prepare the site, form the soil, lay the lawn itself and what fertilizers to apply so that the cover retains its decorative effect for a long time.
What soil is needed for a rolled lawn
The use of lawn rolls has a significant advantage over sowing grass. It consists in the fact that the arrangement of the territory can be carried out as soon as possible. It is important that weed grass does not grow here, lawn care is not complicated, and it will last several decades. Today, there are three main types of artificial grass: universal, shade-tolerant and sporty. Moreover, the latter is particularly resistant to trampling.
The main condition for laying any kind of rolls with grass is the proper preparation of the soil base. High-quality soil will guarantee a good survival rate of green spaces in a new place and the duration of their decorative effect. The soil is formed from garden soil, peat and sand.
Keep in mind that peat provides high acidity, so its presence should be minimal. Quarry (river) sand, in turn, will significantly improve the water-physical properties of the soil. The optimal soil composition should include 50% of garden land, 30% of river sand and 20% of peat.
Site preparation
The technology for laying a lawn roll consists of several stages. Preparatory work should be carried out before the material is purchased.
Important! The rolled lawn should be laid immediately after purchase. If, for some reason, the process needs to be postponed, the bays should be unwound and moistened abundantly.
Cleaning and leveling
First of all, the site must be properly cleaned: eliminate garden debris, uproot existing hemp and shrubs. To extract long roots use a special device in the form of a strong metal hook with a long handle. Rolled grass should be laid on a completely horizontal territory, so if there are bumps or pits, the territory should be leveled. These works can be carried out already when laying a new soil.
Digging
The earth needs to be dug up, and it is necessary to remove the roots of perennial weeds. Take this process responsibly, since the root system of perennials is characterized by a powerful survival rate - the same leek can break through the grass over time, and it will be quite difficult to remove it later with the root.
Soil formation and drainage
The lawn does not like waterlogged soil - even if you prepared the most favorable soil for it, it’s better not to risk it and equip the drainage. To do this, with the help of a shovel, cut off the top layer of the earth to a depth of 40 cm - it is useful for the formation of a new, fertilized soil composition. A layer of crushed stone with a thickness of about 10 cm is laid in the pit and leveled.
Did you know? Landscaping originated in the ancient era - just remember the legendary gardens of Babylon. But lawn grass as an element of landscape design began to be used only from the 15th century AD.
A layer of sand or geotextile (also about 10 cm) is applied on top of it. It must be carefully rammed using wide boards or a special mini-skating rink. After that, you can lay the prepared soil. So that in the end the site was completely flat, you can navigate by stretched twine. So you will better see where you need to pour a little soil, and where to clean.
Fertilizer application
Before spreading the rolls, the soil needs to be well moistened. At the same time fertilizers are applied. If you carry out work in the spring, it is recommended to add nitrogen-containing products, and in the autumn, potassium-phosphorus top dressing will be the best option. An excellent alternative to mineral and organic fertilizers will be the composition of “Soil Improver Super Lawn Reasil”. This remedy abundantly fills the soil with substances responsible for its fertility.
Seal
Watering with fertilizer is the final stage of preparation. Now it remains only to compact the soil again, and you can go to buy grass. Compaction can be carried out using a board 2 meters long, since there should not be traces of shoes on the soil.
Savvy owners tie 50-centimeter scraps of thin boards to old boots and trample the site.
The main thing is that these “skis” should not be too heavy and not fall off the soles. To the final site was completely flat, you can navigate the stretched twine. So you will better see where you need to pour a little soil, and where to clean.
Did you know? According to psychologists, the appearance of a green grass cover relieves stress, gives rest, and the benefits of walking on it barefoot have been proved by manual therapists.
How to lay a lawn
Laying a rolled lawn begins with measuring the area of the site in order to determine how many bays are needed. The calculation is quite simple: you need to multiply the area by a factor of 1.67 - this will be the purchase volume in rolls.
Next is the site preparation process:
- Digging out old soil.
- Bookmark drainage and sand cushions.
- Laying the soil mixture.
- Fertilizer application.
- Base seal.
Important! During laying, do not bend or twist the lawn.
The soil must be well compacted. Take a walk around the playground - if the legs do not fall into the soil, then everything is done correctly. Particular attention should be paid to the laying of the first strip, since all the others will be aligned on it. Make sure that the joints of the rolls coincide, but do not overlap. Cut off excess fragments with a sharp knife.
It is advisable to use inconspicuous pegs for fixing, and sprinkle the edges between the rolls with soil - so they will not dry out and the grass will take root better. After the coating has spread out, tamp it lightly. It is better to move around wooden shields, as walking on fresh grass is not recommended.
If you notice a dent under your feet, lift the coating and add soil to it., the smallest tubercles need to be straightened right away. The first two weeks after laying the lawn requires regular irrigation with a flow rate of 10-15 liters of water per 1 m². During this period, it is advisable not to walk on the grass, so that the root system successfully adapts to new soil.
Rolled grass will be an excellent alternative to sowing grass. After conducting simple preparatory work and laying grass canvases, you can enjoy the beauty of the site in the shortest possible time. Do not forget to moisten the soil in time and periodically cut the grass - then the landscape design of the territory for many years will delight with its decorative effect.
