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This article throws light upon the five main ways for the management of lawn. The ways are: 1. Mowing and Rolling 2. Irrigation 3. Weeding 4. Fertilization 5. Scraping of Lawn.
Way # 1. Mowing and Rolling:
Newly planted lawn is not mowed till it has established well. In the beginning the grass should be trimmed with the help of scythe. Light rolling should be done on dry ground to suppress the upright growth to anchor the grass firmly in the soil and to keep the level of ground.
Interval of mowing of an established lawn depends upon season. The height of lawn can be maintained by adjusting the height of shears of lawn mower but it should not be more than 5-6 cm. In rainy and winter season mowing is required at an interval of 7-10 days.
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During spring season mowing is required at the Interval of 15 days whereas during summer it is done at monthly intervals. Different types of mower like hand driven, bullock driven or tractor driven are available and, can be selected depending upon the size of lawn.
Way # 2. Irrigation:
Water requirement of lawn depends upon season, type of soil and the grass used. Grasses are surface feeder and, hence adequate watering should be done frequently. During autumn and winter months, watering is done at an interval of 10 days whereas during spring and summer months it should be done at an interval of 7 days.
Generally flood irrigation is followed but sprinkler system is better and should be used wherever possible. In sandy loam soil, frequent watering is required than in heavy soils. Korean grass needs more frequent watering than Calcutta grass.
Way # 3. Weeding:
Regular mowing controls the population of weeds by removal of upper portion of the weeds and starvation of roots. But still there may be large population of weeds which grows fast and needs removal. Hand weeding is possible in small areas and it is the only solution to check motha (Cyperus rotundus) which is a problematic weed. It perpetuates by nuts (rhizomes) deeply placed underground. Weedicide for dicot weeds can be used e.g. 0.5% solution of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy acetic acid.
Way # 4. Fertilization:
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The regular application of fertilizers keeps the grass to grow luxuriantly and maintains the lush green colour of the lawn. There are many arbitrary recommendations about fertilizer applications. It has been observed that the application of 50-60 g/sq. m of mixture (2 parts Calcium Ammonium Nitrate: 1 part Super Phosphate: 1 part Potassium Sulphate) during rainy season and February-March maintains the growth of grass. Spraying of urea (30 g/10 L of water) is also useful for the growth of grass.
Way # 5. Scraping of Lawn:
It is done to renovate the old lawn when it becomes old and grass becomes compact. After 3-4 years during summer months i.e. during June, lawn should be scraped completely with the help of Khurpa and raking should be done both ways. Before the start of rains top dressing of mixture consisting of garden soil, sand and sieved leaf mould (1:2:1) should be applied to cover the upper 3-5 cm.
Soil for top dressing should be homogeneous, clear, free of pests and seeds of weeds and should be similar in texture to that of the turf soil. It helps in improving the renovation of stolon or rhizomes, fertility level and leveling the ground. Bone meal @ 1 kg/100 sq. m should also be applied with the onset of rains or application of irrigation water. Thus grass will grow luxuriantly and will make a compact and healthy turf.
