Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-08-24
August: New Lawns Month
Humus Acts as Foundation Material
To Keep Soil Loose, Save Moisture
By w. H. Younaman

V0u9Hou
easily. 1t nghtens 1t so that the
grass roots can penetrate readily.
Some of our clay soils are so heavy
that the roots cannot penetrate more
than 2 or 3 inches. Fully as impor-
tant, humus acts as sponge, hold
ing moisture until needed by the
grass roots. A soil well supplied
with humus does not dry out 50
readily, hence will not burn out as
quickly during a prolonged dry Pc
Rod. In sandy soils, this function Is
even more Important than in a
clay soil.
Indirectly, humus performs an
other function-in decaying 1t re-
leases certain amount Of plant
food.
Surely these points illustrate the
Importance Of mixing in generous
quantities of peatmoss, manure or
other forms of humus at the time Of
soil preparation. (Avoid manure
filled with weed seeds) It is pain
fully obvious when we note how well
grass plants grow in our flower beds
as compared to those In lawns.
How to Spread Hurus.
You may well ask how much
humus is needed for the new lawn
built to such a specification. A
minimum would be q Pinch layer,
the optimum is a 4-inch layer. In
other words, cubic yard Of humus
compose, peatmoss, etc.-wiu cover
from to Is square yards, depend
ing upon the depth to which it Is
spread.
With the humus carefully mixed
into the soil to a depth Of 4 to 6
inches, allow settling to take place
for a week or two. In the meantime
it is desirable to rake over the sur
face after each shower to keep 1t
smooth and to encourage weed seeds
to terminate so that they may be
killed. Lacking a few showers dur
ing this period it will pay to soak the
lawn with the sprinkler to hasten
the settling and weed termination.
When satisfied that the ground Is
well settled it may be advisable to
employ a fairly heavy roller to fur
ther insure good job. However,
avoid rolling If the soil is moist
enough to puddle" In other words,
do not roll If the soil is sticky. It
should crumble easily when hand
full Is squeezed.
Rake in the Seed.
The seed may be sown Immediately
after the rolling and then raked into
the soil, although some will prefer
to SOW it first and then roll, raking
as last step to keep the surface
loose and to prevent "crusting." Use
one pound of seed to 200 to $50
square feet of surface. A high-grade,
weed-free seed Of the more desirable
kinds of grasses is preferred. This,
for the Washington area, should be
two thirds Kentucky bluegrass, with
the balance OF Rhode Island Bent,
Chewings Fescue and Red Top.
Following the seeding 1t is neces-
sary to keep the surface moist until
the seed has germinated- two to
three weeks.
As soon as the grass is we'll started
no further attention will be needed
until 1t Is 3 or 4 inches high, when
it should be cut to avoid disease,
especially in partially shaded sit
uations. BY cutting the grass the
blades tend to be firmer and rela-
lively immune to attacks by dis
ease; also the crowns stool" giving
a thicker, spongier turf.
During the winter the lawn will
need little care, except to avoid
fallen leaves piling up and smoth-
ering the new grass. In the spring
start the season with a light rolling
to push the crowns back into the
soil on those plants which have
been pushed out by the alternate
freezing and thawing. Follow with
an application of fertilizer.