I grew up on a ranch located in the southern United States. For as long as I can remember, my father has raised beef cattle. Every summer, he has the arduous task of baling cutting and arranging hay into bales. Because of the hot humid weather in our part of the country, my father particularly dreaded this summer chore when I was young. His hay baler didn’t contain an air conditioner in it. Thankfully, he has recently acquired a hay baler with this convenience. Now, he can cut his hay down without even breaking a sweat. If you’re thinking about getting into the cattle business, consider opting for an air conditioned hay baler immediately. On this blog, you will discover the advantages of buying a new state-of-the-art hay baler with a built-in air conditioning system.
Working in Comfort
Preparing Your Lawn, Garden, Or Farm For New Sod
Luis Harvey
Lush green grass can make any home or property look beautiful. Laying down new sod will help promote even growth. Before you decide to install new sod for your outdoor living or farming space, there are a few things you should do to ensure that your new grass grows in a healthy and consistent way. Here are some things you can do to prepare your property for new sod so it will last and grow.
Prep Steps
Before the sod can be installed, you'll need to remove all excess debris out of the area. This includes large rocks, branches, and of course, any bigger items like outdoor furniture or farming equipment. Make sure the section where the sod is to be laid will be completely cleared so you can till the ground. After everything is moved out of the way, it's recommended that you rough till the ground to a depth of two inches. This helps create a better soil consistency for the new grass to dig its roots into. Check the grade or slope of the area to make sure it's graded correctly.
Add Topsoil
Once you've tilled the ground, add a layer of good quality topsoil. The topsoil will help the new sod develop a strong root structure. The depth of your soil should be anywhere from four to six inches deep and should contain loamy sand, silt, clay or other soil types suited for your area. When in doubt, consult with your local gardening store professional who can help test the soil type found on your property. They can also check the soil's pH level so you can be sure that your soil is at an optimum level. If the pH is too high, add sulfur or gypsum to the soil. If it's too low, lime should be added to correct the pH levels.
Create An Ideal Environment
If you want your new sod to look luscious and healthy, add a starter fertilizer to your topsoil. This fertilizer should be high in phosphorous for the best results. Work the fertilizer deeply into your topsoil, going about three or four inches down. Once you've tilled and added topsoil and fertilizer, you'll need to check the grading again to make sure it's at the correct slope. You may need to re-grade some spots to ensure everything is even. Finally, use a roller to go over your soil for an even compaction and then water it lightly. Doing all of these things will help to ensure that your new sod has the perfect conditions to establish strong roots and produce beautiful, lush grass all year round.
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