Whether you are planting a new lawn or replanting an old ME
 one, certain practices have to be followed in preparingthe site for
 planting. Remove all debris, brush, rocks and weeds before
 grading the site. Especially in hard clay soils, plowing or spading
 followed by disking and hand raking are the best methods of
 preparing the soil. Hand raking is necessary to level the soil and
 to prevent the formation of depressions and hollows where
 water might accumulate. The site should be gently sloped away /
 from the home so that water will drain away. Degree of slope
 should be slight, because steep slopes make grass difficult to
 establish and mow. Other ground cover can be planted if the
 slope is too steep for grass.
 Based on your soil test results, a complete fertilizer
 should be applied to the soil and raked lightly into it just prior to ,
 planting. In general, use about ten to 20 pounds of a 10-10-10 or
 an equivalent fertilizer per 1,000 square feet unless a test has St Augustine Grass
 shown that the soil needs a larger or smaller amount Mix the
 fertilizer thoroughly into the top three to five inches of the soil
 where the roots will feed.
 Some soils require additional treatment. Ifthe soil is gravelly or mostly heavy clay, you may need
to incorporate soil additives to improve its organic-matter content or texture. Amendments such
as peat, composts, manures and untreated wood shavings are most commonly available. All such
materials are useful, so choose the one most available and least expensive. All are relatively easy to mix
with the soil and should be free of weed seed. On heavy clays, an amendment such as gutter or builder's
sand can also beadded. Add abouttwocubic yards forever 1,000squarefeet of lawn area. It is essential
that any soil amendment be well incorporated into the soil, preferably with a mechanical device like a
Rototiller. Mix to a depth of at least six inches.
 The last step before planting is the final grading. The site should be as level and smooth as
possible. The planting area can be raked or dragged with a steel mat until smooth or leveled by grading
equipment. Remember, the more level the site, the more attractive the lawn and the easierthe mowing.


PLANTING YOUR LAWN

 There are two methods of establishing a lawn: seeding and vegetative propagation. The latter
refers to planting material that are multiplied asexually (sods, plugs or sprigs). Seeding is usually the most
economical method of planting a lawn, but this method requires a longer period of time for
establishment; and not all lawn grasses can be grown from seed.

Seeding
 Seeding is the easiest method of planting a lawn, but success will depend on several factors:
quality of seed proper seeding time, rate and method of seeding.
 Before you purchase your seed, examine the analysis tag on the container to be sure you are
getting a good quality seed. Federal laws require that tags give the percentage of each grass seed in the
container, the purity and germination, and the date of test.