Initial Lawn Planning

Planning for Success!

So you want to plant a new sod lawn—or lawn from seed. Great! Will it meet your expectations? Will you be happy with it in the long run? You really should consider a few questions at the outset.

What do you want from your lawn?

Do you want a lawn that looks gorgeous all the time?
Most people do, but are you willing to go through the necessary steps meet this goal—not just once either, but continually? Maintaining a lush green lawn takes constant upkeep.

Are your needs more modest? Is prime appearance at all times not so important?
If you just want a pleasant lawn but don’t really care about top notch appearance, you might consider easy care alternatives. These will prove to be more sustainable at a reduced cost over time. For more information see Selecting the Turfgrass.

Do you have an existing lawn? If so, why do you want to replace it?

• If you have an existing lawn, what is wrong with it? If it has suffered neglect, a new lawn won’t solve that problem.
• Are there weed grasses in the old lawn. If so, they may come back. This should be considered carefully. Weed seeds in the seed bank have a way of finding the light of day and germinating!
• What are some good reasons to replace an existing lawn?
  • Fix bad grading
  • Fix drainage problems and replace the lawn at the same time
  • Landscape changes require it
  • Generally just get a fresh start

How do you intend to care for the new lawn?

• If you plan to mow it yourself, how often will you do so? Frequent, systematic lawn mowing is the most critical maintenance requirement for a nice lawn.
• Will the lawn receive adequate fertilizing? Your turfgrass selection will dictate the fertility needs.
• Will the lawn receive adequate water? If not, consider not planting a new lawn at all. It will look bad, deteriorate and
  become an eye sore. Possibly a lawn alternative would be a better choice.