A lush, healthy lawn requires proper fertilizer, water and sunlight. It also benefits from aeration, allowing the best mix of air, water and nutrients to reach grass roots.

A contractor mix includes fine to medium textured grasses and perennial rye. It’s good for overseeding bare areas and establishing new lawns in spring or fall.

Grass Seeds

A lush and healthy lawn starts with high-quality grass seeds. Grass seed marketed as contractor mix generally contains many species of grasses. By planting only one variety in a single row, you can achieve your desired results without having to plant multiple types in multiple rows. You can achieve your desired results by planting only one variety in a single row without producing numerous varieties in various rows. This option is great for filling bare patches or establishing a new lawn.

A good contractors choice grass seed Southern California mixture will include a combination of grass species to accommodate different climates and garden conditions, with bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, centipede grass, and St. Augustine grass being popular choices for a sunny yard. Make sure to choose a shade-tolerant mix for areas with low sun exposure.

Before planting, prepare the soil by removing any stones or debris and amending it with peat moss, sulfur, and lime. Test the soil’s PH, and if necessary, add a liming product or fertilizer to provide your growing area with a boost of nutrients.

Fertilization

Grass seed is a premium sun and shade lawn seed mix with growth enhancers for rapid grass growth. It’s ideal for starting a new lawn, filling bare spots and controlling erosion. It is also a good option for overseeding existing properties in the spring or fall.

Preparing the planting site before spreading grass seed is important to ensure optimal germination. This includes rototilling the soil to loosen it and removing any weeds. It’s also important to ensure the soil is well-draining and rich in organic matter.

In addition, it’s best to apply a starter fertilizer, such as Milorganite, that will provide a slow-release source of nitrogen for optimal germination and top growth. Water the site daily to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Finally, rake the seed lightly and roll it to help settle it. Keeping these steps in mind will help you achieve your desired results.

Irrigation

A lush lawn adds beauty to the property and provides a comfortable place to walk and play. It also improves the environment by stabilizing soil and reducing air pollution, noise, dust, heat, and glare. Proper lawn care requires site and soil preparation, fertilization, mowing, aerating, and adequate irrigation. Unwanted guests, such as grubs and webworms, must also be controlled.

Proper preparation is essential to success, whether starting a new lawn or overseeding a patchy one. This includes raking the soil to loosen it and removing debris, applying a light topping of seed-starting fertilizer (preferably with a spreader, not by merely tossing handfuls of grass seed), and gently raking the seeds into the soil.

Then, water regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy until the grass is at least two inches high. Apply a pre-emergent weed killer in the spring to prevent weeds from germinating, and pull any existing weeds by hand or with a post-emergent herbicide as needed.

Mowing

Mowing with the right technique can help thicken your lawn and promote a lush appearance. During the spring, mowing should be done every other day for 20-30 minutes so the grass gets deeply watered. A deep watering schedule helps the grass to grow roots, which can sustain it through summer drought conditions.

Contractors mix is a fast-growing, economical solution for soil stabilization and temporary lawn seeding. It contains a high percentage of annual rye, which germinates quickly and provides quick green coverage. Home builders or new homeowners often use it to establish a lawn quickly. However, it does not provide permanent lawn coverage and may result in a multi-colored and patchy lawn.

Overseeding your lawn can be a great way to fill in bare spots, but choosing a grass species well-suited to your local climate is important. It is also critical to fertilize the lawn in the spring and to keep up with regular mowing.