The nearest thing, by way of comparison, to a lawn is a bed of plants
that you set out in your garden every spring. When you think it is
planting time you go to this bed with spade or fork and turn the earth
up from the deep bottom, putting in plenty of well-rotted manure, thus
ministering to the soil according to its needs. Then you set out the
plants, and if weeds grow up you dig them out, after which you water the
spot intelligently. For this labor your reward comes to you in the shape
of an abundance of bloom and foliage.
Just as truly is a lawn a bed of plants needing an equal amount of
treatment. Grass is nothing but a collection of thousands of little
plants crowded together, which must have nourishment, and from which the
weeds must be taken. Likewise the soil must be given water as it is
needed and the earth must be made mellow for the roots, to a good depth.
It makes no difference how much you pay for your grass seed, how good or
bad it is, or what kind of fertilizers you use, if the bed is not
properly prepared in the first place. Without this fundamental
preparation, grass plants will not grow, or if they do, will not thrive.
It is quite a trick to sow grass seed evenly so that it will germinate
without giving the plot a spotty effect. It should be spread at the rate
of about three bushels to the acre, and this sowing can be successfully
done only on a quiet day. Even a very light wind is liable to pile up
your seed on your neighbor's lot or on your own in places not wanted.
Keep the seed in a pail while sowing, and, after taking a handful, bend
close to the soil and let the seed feed through the fingers as the arm
swings back and forth in a semicircle. This is very much easier to say
than to do, but a little experience will make one quite proficient. To
help still more, sow the seed two ways, one at right angles to the
other. After sowing, rake lightly and then finish the work by putting a
heavy roller over it.
While thick sowing has the advantage of discouraging a growth of weeds,
there is a limit that cannot be safely passed. Seed too thickly sown
will mat and damp out, leaving great patches on the lawn. Do not exceed
the quantity suggested above.
Spring sowing should be done just as soon as the frost is out of the
ground. This early sowing gives the young grass a chance to establish
itself before the severe summer heat comes on. Careful watering is
necessary, with a fine spray, and if regularly done will induce rapid
germination. In watering do not wash out the seed by too heavy a
stream.