The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

Small Home Landscaping

Making The Lawn

The first-rate lawn is not dependent on quantities of seed and fertilizer but is, rather, the result of prudent preparation and wise selection.

OFTEN considered as merely an adjunct of the home, the lawn is seldom thought of for its very practical value in cooling the air on a hot day or evening. An area of grass does not absorb heat; besides, grass constantly gives off moisture from its leaves which has a cooling effect on the air around it. The difference in temperature between a grass lawn and just bare ground ranges from 5 to 10 degrees. But between grass and a hard surface like concrete or asphalt, the difference can be as much as 25 degrees.

Here is one of the most important reasons for making a first rate lawn. Such a lawn, however, must be built then given the necessary attention to maintain it. Merely scattering seed of doubtful value on an unprepared soil and raking it in will never produce a lawn. Grass lives in a crowded community. In every square foot of sod there are over 400 grass plants each competing for food and moisture.

The basis for a good lawn is thorough soil preparation. This is the only stage in the life of the lawn when you can get the soil into the condition needed by the roots of grass to penetrate deeply to form a lasting sod.

Lawn making must be based upon the existing soil. If you are making the lawn following building operations, all stones and other debris must be removed. The contractor sometimes does this. Grading is sometimes done and some topsoil spread around, but hardly ever is it sufficient to carry a good sod. Generally the topsoil is spread thinly over excavated subsoil that was graded off after construction ended. Subsoil is always poor as to plant food materials and poor in condition.