Necessary material
- Grass seed;
- Lawn fertilizer (steps 1, 2 and 3) ;
- Biosol MC forest compost (1 bag and more);
- Viva lawn MC (for damaged surfaces).
In spring
- Aerate the soil: this operation serves to decompact the earth and to better oxygenate it, which improves the assimilation of water and fertilizers. A floor aerator can be rented from a tool rental center.
- Dethatch the soil surface: this step consists of removing all the dead grass accumulated on the ground, thus preventing the spread of harmful insects or fungi. A dethatcher can be rented from a tool rental center or the job can be done using a leaf rake.
- Topdress: spread a thin layer of compost all over the grassy area.
- Spread a thin layer of Viva Pelouse MC on the most damaged surfaces of the ground.
- Broadcast sow everywhere on the land to thicken the grass; water well during the first week.
- Apply Step 1 lawn fertilizer to the entire lawn area.
During summer
- Make sure not to cut the grass too short: a weekly cut of around 5 cm (2 in) will do the trick; a longer cut of about 8 cm (3 in) is more suitable during periods of drought.
- The bed can be watered when it has not rained for more than a week. Water generously: the soil should be moist to about 2.5 cm (1 in) deep.
- Remove as many weeds as possible. Fill the holes with compost or garden soil, then cover with grass seed.
- Apply Step 2 lawn fertilizer to the entire lawn area.
In autumn
- Continue the long cut, approximately 8 cm (3 in).
- Amend the soil by spreading another thin layer of compost all over the land.
- Re-sow more grass on the fly; put a little more on the damaged parts of the ground.
- Apply Lawn Fertilizer Step 3 over the entire grassed area.
Repair of damaged surfaces
- Remove visible rocks and as many weeds as possible.
- Rake the surface to remove dead grass.
- Spread 2.5 cm (1 in) thick of Viva Pelouse TM potting soil on the damaged surface.
- Broadcast the seeds over the soil.
- Water well and keep moist for the first two weeks.
If you have grub problems, consult the product sheet for Grub B Gone , a bio-insecticide that can eliminate them.
Calculation of surface area per bag of potting soil:
Viva lawn by Fafard MC
1 42 l bag covers:
- 2 m 2 (20 ft 2 ), at a thickness of 2.5 cm (1 in)
- 14 m 2 (150 ft 2 ), at a thickness of 0.3 cm (1/8 in.)
Compost
- 1 35 l bag covers 2.5 m 2 (30 ft 2 ), at a thickness of 1 cm (1/2 in)
Grass seed
1 bag of 750 g covers:
- 40 m2 (425 ft2 ) of sparse surface area
- 25 m 2 (275 ft 2 ) of bare surface
1 bag of 1.5 kg covers:
- 80 m2 (850 ft2 ) of sparse surface area
- 50 m 2 (550 ft 2 ) of bare surface
1 bag of 3.5 kg covers:
- 200 m 2 (2200 ft 2 ) of sparse surface area
- 120 m 2 (1300 ft 2 ) of bare surface