September In The Rain?

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 226, 24 September 1938, Page 18 (Supplement)

September In The Rain?

rE young grass on autumnsown lawns will grow quickly during the moist period of September. Early in the month attention should be given to weeding as, however well the site was cleaned before sowing, a large quantity of weeds is sure to make its appearance in the young turf.

Mark off the lawn into strips one yard in width; hand weed one strip at a time. An old chisel is useful for removing deep-rooted weeds. Everv care should be taken during weeding not to disturb the soil any more than necessary.

When weeding is completed, a light roller should be used to firm down disturbed soil. A day when the surface soil is fairly dry should be selected for rolling. Use of a heavy roller on wet turf can be detrimental to the growth of young grass.

Never allow your grass to become too long before mowing. As a rule, young lawns should be cut when the grass has attained 2in in height. Early mowing causes development of young leaves from the centre of the plants and has the effect of producing a close turf at an early stage.

Spring-sown lawns will require weeding m the grass germinates and grows. The same procedure—of marking off the lawn into strips—as for autumnsown lawn* is advocated.

Damage might be done by walking on the seed bed befoie the surface be-

conies firm; in weeding spring-sown lawns it is advisable to use short boards for standing on. If the site for sowing has been carefully prepared use of artificial manures as a spring stimulant should not be necessary on newly-sown lawns.

Established lawns should receive a spring dreeing of suitable artificials or a lawn fertiliser if the grass appears to need it. Most lawns will benefit from a dressing. There are many excellent fertilisers on the market, which should be used to the maker's directions.

If it is desired to mix one's own artificials the following mixture will prove satisfactory and inexpensive for lawns where clover is not objected to: —

Sulphate of ammonia. 41b: superphosphate. 21b: sulphate of potash. lib: calcined sulphate of iron. 607.: drv sand for spreading, 401b.

Apply at the rate of lib per square yard during September.

For sports lawns, tennis courts, bowl ing greens, etc., where clover is unde sirable:—

Sulphate of ammonia. 41b: sulphate of potash. lib: calcined sulphate of iron ooz; drv sand tor spreading. 40]b

Apply at the rate of lib per square yard.

In applying mixtures containing sulphate of ammonia it is important not to tread on the places where the manure Js supplied before it is washed in by rain or by watering.