Keys to a healthy lush lawn:

A beautiful hardy green lawn requires plenty of water and nutrients. Grass gets its nutrients from fertilizer and we reccomend that you feed your lawn at least three (3) times per year. These feedings should take place in the spring, summer and fall. The best time to fertilize is right before or during a rain, as this will breakdown the fertilizer and send it into the soil for the roots of the grass to feed on. More applications of fertilizers provide a hardier lawn and they should be spread out, with approximately 6 weeks between applications. The other key component to a healthy lawn is regular cuttings. Grasses are tolerant to regular cuttings which strengthen the blades and help with weed control as they are not as tolerant.

Grass are a natural plant that use Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and generate Oxygen (O2) through photosynthesis. This is an important product to our environment and the healthier your lawn is the more you are contributing to a healthier environment.

Installation tips for sodding and seeding:

Soil Preperation

Before installing sod, the ground on which you will be installing the sod should be prepared accordingly for best results. There should be a minimum of 4" (inches) of good soil in the area before sodding. Old grass should be removed or turned to ensure proper growth of new sod. Soil should be rota-tilled or new soil spread. The area should then be rolled to pack the soil and to level out the ground. All rocks, roots, sticks, or clumps of soil should be removed and the top two inches of soil should then be loosened in order for the roots of the new sod to establish in the ground.

Sod should be installed within 24 hours of delivery or purchase.

Installation should begin along the longest and straightest edge of the area. Sod should be laid in a brick-like fashion, staggering the joints (seams) avoiding any gaps or overlapping. A sharp knife may be used to trim the overlapped edges. To cut the sod and avoid overlapping edges you can use a sharp knife or an exacto-knife. The new sod should be rolled after installation to remove any air pockets.Watering should commence immediately and should continue everyday until the sod has rooted into the ground when waterings can be gradually decreased. When watering, ensure that all the new grass recieves a good amount of water. To measure this lift up a corner of a roll and ensure that the water has gone through the grass and has penetrated into the ground at least an inch. The hotter the weather the more water the grass will need. The best time to water is in the morning or in the evening.

New grass should not be walked on very much for the first 2 weeks as the grassroots are establishing in the new soil. The first cutting of the newly laid sod should come 10 to 14 days after installation, when the sod has established roots and growth is apparent. The first cutting should be with the highest level on your mower, and following cuttings should gradually bring the height of cut to the desired level.

There should be a minimum of 4" (12cm) of good topsoil in the area before seeding. Make sure that there are no large clumps of soil, rocks, sticks, etc., left after the area has been levelled and that it slopes slightly away from any buildings. This allows for proper drainage. Prepare the seed bed by raking and rolling lightly until you have a fine smooth surface.

Divide your seed into two equal parts, then apply evenly in two opposite directions. An example of this would be applying the first half in a north - south direction and then applying the second half in an east - west direction. Next lightly rake area to cover some of the seeds with soil followed by rolling it with an empty roller.

Fertilizer should be applied at the same time as seeding for seed germination and grass growth. The fertilizer that should be applied is one for root growht, we recomend a 7-24-28 (NITROGEN-PHOSPHORUS-POTASSIUM)

The area should be watered lightly immediately and kept moist, and watering should continue frequently until the seeds have rooted and grass plants are established. At this point watering may become less frequent and allowed to penetrate deeper into the soil as the roots are growing deeper into the soil. Traffic should be kept to a minimum on the new seeding.

First mowings of new seeding should take place after grass is well established and there is evidence of consitent growth. Begin cutting at the highest level on the mower and gradually work your way down to your desired length of grass.

Seeding will take anywhere from two to three years to reach the maturity level and look of sodding or existing lawns. We recommend seeding in the spring between the beginning of may and the middle of June (dependent upon the weather) or in the fall between the middle of august to the end of september. It is possible to seed other times of the year but more maintenance and care is required.