How to Plant
How to Water
How to Control Insects
How to Fertilize
How to Control Weeds
How to Test Your Master Turf Soil

How To Plant
New Lawn

   New Lawn
   New Bermudagrass Lawn
   Overseeding or Reseeding
   Overseeding or Reseeding Bermuda Lawn

• Test the Soil: Use a simple pH soil test kit found in your local Garden Center to check if your soil is acid or alkaline and to ensure your lawn has the proper pH to get started.
• Prepare the Soil: Till, disk or plow the area to be planted 4" to 6" deep. This is necessary to create an ideal seed bed for your new lawn.
• Smooth and Level the Soil: After working the soil, rake the area smooth to remove any debris, rocks, roots, and large dirt clods. Check your finished grade to ensure that you do not have any low areas that will retain water and the slope of your lawn is going down and out from your house.
• Spread Grass Seed, Fertilizer and Lime: Apply lime if needed to acquire the correct pH. Apply Pennington Lawn Starter Fertilizer* after reading and following the instructions on the package. Following the coverage rates listed on the package, apply your grass seed using a broadcast (recommended) or drop spreader. To help avoid missing spots it is recommended using a checker board pattern applying 1/2 the recommended amount of seed in each direction.
  
  (NOTE: Never apply Crabgrass Preventer, Weed & Feed or Lawn Weed Killers to a newly seeded lawn.)
   
• Cover Seed: This step is necessary to make sure the grass seed has good soil contact and to help work the seed into the soil for protection from the elements. Turn your leaf rake upside down and simply drag it lightly over the seeded area working the seed into the soil no more than 1/4 inch. Mulching the area with wheat straw or a seed starter mat is recommended but not necessary to help maintain a consistent level of moisture. Make sure straw is clean and weed-free.
• Watering your Newly Planted Lawn: This is one of the most important steps to getting your new lawn off to a good start. Keep the area moist. Water often, at least once per day, enough to keep the top inch of soil moist. Watering instructions. Continue watering lightly until seedlings are well established.
• Mowing your New Lawn: Start mowing your new lawn once the seedlings have grown to a height of about 2 inches. Make sure your lawn mower blade is sharp and the grass is dry as to avoid damaging the young plants.
• Long Term Maintenance: Do not apply Crabgrass Preventer, Lawn Weed Killers or Weed & Feed until your plants have matured. This is usually 60-90 days after germination. Always water after application. You can then begin a normal Lawn Care Program.
  
  * You can find these or other comparable products at Wal-Mart Lawn and Garden Centers.