When planting a new lawn in the country, the first step is to remove the previous one. This process can be carried out by various methods, including solarization, cultivator with a hoe and herbicides. When choosing a method, consider the characteristics of the lawn and climatic conditions, as some methods may be better suited to a particular situation than others. Read more about how to get rid of the old lawn in the material below.

How to remove an old lawn

Starting to replace the old lawn, first of all, you need to cut off the remains of the previous one. You can choose different methods for this. Some are designed for quick results, but may require significant effort. After using others, you need to wait a long time before you can start planting a new one. Below are a few basic ones.

Each of them has its pros and cons, but they all make you one step closer to the lawn of your dreams.

Mechanical way

If the plot is very small, then a shovel and garden hoe will be the best way to dig out the grass layer. Water the cultivated area a few days before removing the old turf so that the soil can be treated. If the lawn is medium - use a mower to evenly cut grass, and a cultivator to cultivate the soil, and then remove the garbage with a rake.

Important! An old lawn is always removed along with a layer of soil. If this is not done, then it will leave the seeds of old herbs and fungi that can infect young plants that will be sown.

Method Application:

1. Cut the turf into parallel strips 30 cm wide.
2. Use a shovel with a pointed edge to undermine the edge of the strip and garden rake to remove small debris.
3. If the old lawn does not roll, then remove it with pieces.
4. Take the garbage out of the yard using a garden cart.
5. Once the turf is removed, locate and destroy potential pests, such as the Maybug larvae.

One of the disadvantages of this method of changing the lawn is a significant loss of organic material. And this does not heal your site at all.

As for the filmed material, some use it to make compost. It is put in a compost pile, watered with special biological products, and then used as fertilizer.

• Advantages of the mechanical method:
• Speed ​​- you can plant a new lawn on the same day.
• Chemicals harmful to plants are not used.

• The disadvantages of the method:
• ore-intensive work as a result of which muscles are overloaded.
• Useful fertile soil is removed.

To minimize the load on the muscles - sharpen the tools before using them. Also use only shovels that are suitable in weight and size.

Biological product processing (solarization)

Biological preparations are based on fungi and bacteria. In the course of their activities, they transform one substance into another. In relation to the lawn, we are talking about the possibility of processing grass on the spot in organic fertilizer.

For this:

1. The old lawn with the tip of a shovel is cut into squares.
2. Pry off and take off each square, and then turn it over with grass down.
3. Then they watered the surface with a biological product and moisturized. For this purpose, the drug "Baikal EM" is suitable.
4. The surface of the plot is covered with black plastic film. Under the influence of sunlight, the temperature of the soil under it will increase - as a result, grass, seeds and pests in the soil die. Processing time - 2 months.

The method is used in warm sunny weather. It is very important to securely fasten the film. But do not try to apply the method in too shaded areas where the bright sun does not fall - in this way you will simply contribute to the development of soil fungi.

• Advantages of Solarization:
• Requires minimal physical effort.
• Does not violate the structure of the soil.

• Disadvantages:
• Planting a new lawn will be delayed for several months.
• Not only harmful, but also beneficial soil microorganisms are destroyed.

Herbicides

To kill grass and weeds to the roots, select a herbicide that decomposes quickly, such as glyphosate (Roundup). It is usually used to suppress annual and perennial weeds and is recommended for use on all types of fields, including private courtyards.

Its effect begins to appear 2-3 days after use.

First, the tops are discolored, and then the grass begins to fade. Lawn grasses are especially sensitive to it - bluegrass, woodland, sow thistle, foxtail, mouse peas, hedgehog, fescue, timothy grass, campfireless fire, white gauze, field mushroom.

Mandatory Precautions:

1. Do not use herbicides if it is expected to rain, otherwise they will be washed off the grass into the soil and will not work.
2. Avoid use on windy days, otherwise when sprayed, the substances will drift to the side and the lawn will remain poorly processed.
3. Wear protective clothing such as gloves, a long-sleeved jacket, long trousers, and a mask when using herbicides.

Important! Treat plants on a sunny, calm day when the air temperature is above +16°WITH.

Method Application:

1. Prepare the spray solution in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
2. Irrigate all grass and weeds in the area completely.
3. If the grass does not die completely after 4 weeks, reapply the herbicide. Then wait 1 week before proceeding.

The advantage of the method is the simplicity of its application, but it has much more shortcomings. Firstly, if it rains, the herbicide will not work effectively. Secondly, you can unknowingly use the drug, after which nothing will grow on the site for a very long time. In addition, the herbicides from the soil are perfectly transferred to other areas using water, and this can adversely affect the beneficial properties of your vegetables and fruits.

Video: Dismantling the lawn

How to remove a rolled lawn layer

Rolled lawn should be removed quite quickly. To do this, you need to make cuts along to get the contour of the removed tapes. Then pry the edge of one of them with a sharp shovel and, while continuing to pry, just roll the rising layer into a roll. Where the roots sprouted into the ground, they are cut with the tip of a shovel.

Did you know? On one square meter of lawn is placed up to 150 thousand blades of grass.

How to plant a new lawn grass

Level the cleared soil using a rake. If it turns out to be too uneven, dig up the ground to level the ground horizontally. Do not forget to fertilize it with compost or other organic fertilizers - it can be rotted manure or bird droppings. Spread them evenly so that the soil is equally fertilized. The depth of soil treatment should be at least 5 cm.

Now you are ready to lay the new lawn:

1. Start stacking the roll from the edge. Be sure to press the contours tightly.
2. Having laid the first tape and begin to place the second right next to it. The laying direction of each strip should be the same. It is as if you were gluing wallpaper, trying to firmly press all the seams.
3. Water the turf three times a day until it takes root. Frequent watering is considered more effective than deep watering.

Did you know? At the University of Pennsylvania (USA), you can get a lawn care degree.

If you decide to sow grass, and not use rolls, then after processing the soil on the site, the algorithm will look like this:

1. Level and level the soil with a rake. Seeds need a smooth and even platform for instant germination.
2. Fertilize. It can be any organics. If these are store fertilizers, then follow the instructions on the packaging to select the correct application rate.
3. Put all the seeds in a plastic bucket and mix if the mixture is composed of different herbs.
4. Add filler to make it easier to spread the seeds. It can be sand in a ratio of 4: 1.
5. Make rakes small furrows. Throw seeds over the surface of the soil.
6. Then compact the soil with a sod roller to ensure close contact between the seeds and the soil.
7. Cover the plot with mulch and pour by spraying water over the lawn. The sprayer must be installed in the corners of the lawn and, covering part of the sector, then go to the second.
8. Water regularly while seeds germinate.
9. Gradually reduce watering over 6 weeks until you switch to the standard lawn irrigation mode.

Dismantling the old lawn may take some time, but it needs to be done. After all, otherwise you will not only save phytopathogens accumulated there in the ground, but also give the new lawn a sloppy appearance due to the fact that under it an uneven layer of soil will lie. To argue the work, do it with well-sharpened tools.