TRACE RU PTE cL Pt rie nna ee RRO bak aan eke ak bok eae en ek eer eek

teapot 535 Fi vtas

PEI, rt ae

roll to level gro

Getting out lumps and bumps an important step

SORRY FOR leaving you beached at the end of the fast
column. [ always seem to get stuck in the sand when { start
talking about putting in a new lawn, much to the disap-
pointment of at least one landscape gardener.

Geoff
Yobiasson

She was quite concerned that
the widespread use of sand would
promote the overtaxing of our al-
ready well-taxed water system, as
well as require a heavier
dependence on chemical fertilizers.

I would respond by reiterating
my belief that the use of sand
promotes healthier turf and
healthy turf defends against the
invasion of weeds and moss.

True, the first few years will
require a little more in the way of
water and tiutrients, but it will
also reduce the need for weed and

-moss killers in the future.

Anywho, let’s move on. Now
that: your -yard ‘!ooks like the
world’s biggest sandbox (much to
the appreciation of the neighbor-
hood cats), what’s next?

Remember the nutrients we
spoke of above? Now is the time.

_. Start off with a heavy applica-
‘tion of dolomite lime — grass
‘loves calcium and a slow-
release fertilizer for the lawn.

You shouldn’t have to worry
‘about mixing it into the sand; you
will be doing enough! raking and
levelling to assure sufficient blen-

ae at] EB

OVER THE GARDEN GATE

ding occurs.

The second step is making sure
that the growing surface is as level
as possible.

If you have ever had to suffer
the frustration of having to care
for a fawn that is full of lumps
and bumps, you will recognize the
importance of this process.

CUSTOM MADE QUEEN SIZE:
QUILTED BEDSPREADS

FROM ‘2 18

RUFFLED BEDSKIRTS

rrom °414

DUVET COVERS

rrom° 215

*OVER 3500 DESIGNER FABRICS’
TO CHOOSE FROM

Call today for a free estimate

GOLDEN TOUCH INTERIORS

: Since 1984
1699 Marine Drive, N.Van.

Corner of Lloyd /Marine

985-6112

Of course, we must take into
consideration the realities of
gardening in areas such as the
North Shore. The majority of lots
are sloped if not downright
precipitous.

If this is your circumstance, try
to restrict laying a lawn to areas
where the terrain slopes no more
than one foot in four (30 cm in
1.2m).

I cannot stress enough that you

should avoid trying to fay a lawn
on slopes of more than one foot
in two. Lawns such as these are
not only difficult to maintain, but
they can be very dangerous as
well, .
Our wet climate and_ slippery
grass do not make for a healthy
environment in which to be dragg-
ing a foot-eating machine like a
lawn mower.

The best method to Ievel the
sand is with the use of a turf rake
and a lawn roller, available at
your local rental yard.

The turf rake usually has a
three- to four-foot (90 cm to 1.2
m) head which makes it much eas-
ier to create a smooth, even sur-
face. :

The lawn roller will reveal all
those soft spots and enable you to
fill and grade the area.

Z;

Better to have hollows such as
these appear now rather than

while you are trying to cut the.

grass.

For best results, keep rolling
and raking in opposite directions
until the roller no longer leaves
depressions, .

it helps if you make sure that
the sand is thoroughly wet before
you begin, as the water alone can
achieve the desired compaction.

In the hip lingo of my youth,
“turfing’’ something meant to
throw it out.

As we already covered throwing
out the old, I will try to look at
the less hip interpretation .

describe the process of installing a
lawn with the use of pre-cut rolls
of turfgrass in a manner similar to
the installation of a carpet. ,
The major benefits of turfing as

opposed to starting the lawn from ;

seed are the speed and the security
of achieving good results. _
Starting from seed offers
substantially reduced costs and the
opportunity to customize your
blend of seed to match your par-
ticular needs. :

f

Next: week, | will continue this
saga on scd with a closer look at
these options. : te

GUARANTEED

BEST SELECTION IN TOWN! |
Rweber

: Pe GENESIS 93's now In stoc

Lied

Broil Kiricy
93's Now

ia

‘tan

} PERSONALIZED SERVICE |

FOR 18 YEARS

IN STOCK