If you’re thinking about renovating your yard, now’s the time to answer a host of questions so you can get started on the right foot and successfully reach your final goal. One way to tackle all the information you need to consider is to create a checklist or flowchart, so you can easily scan the major considerations and decisions of your garden project.
St. Augustine grass is the most shade-tolerant of all the warm-season grasses.
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing
Sagina subulata is an evergreen groundcover that forms dense, puffy cushions of brilliant green moss.
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing
Kentucky bluegrass sets the standard as the most widely planted of the cool-season grasses.
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing
Hosta plantaginea may be a good turf alternative for homeowners who prefer plants to lawn. (This plant is hardy to USDA hardiness zones 3-9.)
Photo Credit: ©2000 Dolezal Publishing
The following list of questions specifically deals with the decisions homeowners have to make when they undertake planting or restoring lawns or groundcover areas. Take the time to answer them, then refer to the list before you begin your project – it will save you time, effort and money.
Planning for the Project – Questions about your site:
- Where is your yard located, both geographically and within your environs?
- What is its exposure to light and to shade?
- Are you restoring an existing lawn or planting new turfgrass or groundcovers (or both)?
- How does your scheme fit in with existing pathways, trees and other plantings?
- Depending on your region, can you overseed during winter, or will your lawn go dormant?
- What’s the hardiness zone of the turfgrass or groundcover you’re considering?
Determining Your Objectives – Questions about your goals:
- What purpose do you want your lawn to serve?
- Do you want an activity surface that will withstand children, pets and outdoor parties?
- Do you want an “ornamental” lawn with little anticipated foot traffic?
- Do you want turf pavement that will stand up to automobile traffic?
- How much time will planning and designing require?
- When do you want the project finished?
- How much ongoing care will your new lawn need?
Allocating Time and Scheduling – Questions about the scale of your project:
- Is your space wide and wandering or small?
- Do you want to accentuate the dimensions of your space or diminish them?
- Are you seeking to complement or contrast with the style of your house through your choice of turfgrass or groundcover?
- Are you thinking about changing any other features of your yard at the same time?
- Will your project require special equipment?
- How long will the project take?
- Will you need assistance to complete it?
Preparing to Purchase Turfgrasses or Groundcovers – Questions on plant selection:
- What are the growth habits, care needs and color display features of the turfgrasses or groundcovers you’re considering?
- Does your planned space support those growth habits?
- What kind of sun and shade exposure does your yard receive?
- What type of soil does it have?
- If sowing seed, how large is the available selection, and does it include seed mixes?
- Is the garden center or sod-farm staff knowledgeable and helpful?
- When new sod arrives, does it appear fresh, well-watered, healthy and free of pests?
- Will the supplier stand behind the quality of the sod should it fail?
- What are the retailers’ replacement policies?
Preparing Soil/Gathering Materials and Tools – Questions on lawn preparation:
- What is the quality of your soil?
- Is it loose, or hard, compacted clay?
- Does it drain quickly and stay dry most of the time, or does it drain slowly and stay boggy?
- Do you know your soil’s pH level, or do you need to test it?
- What materials, supplies, tools and amendments will you require?
- What fertilizers will you need for the lawn or groundcover you’re considering?
- Will it require any special type of irrigation system?
- Which pests and diseases are your turfgrass or groundcover of choice prone to?
- What preventive measures can you employ to help eliminate those pest and disease problems?
