Lawn care and maintenance

Required material

• Grass seed;
• Lawn fertilizer (steps 1, 2 and 3);
• Forestry Compost Biosol^MC (1 bag and more);
• Viva Lawn^MC (for damaged surfaces).

In the spring

1. Aerate the soil: this operation serves to decompact the soil and better oxygenate it, which improves the assimilation of water and fertilizers. A soil aerator can be rented at a tool rental centre.
2. Dethatching the soil surface: this step consists of removing all the dead grass accumulated on the ground, thus preventing the spread of pests or fungi. A stubble cultivator can be rented at a tool rental centre or the work can be done with a leaf rake.
3. Topdressing: spread a thin layer of compost throughout the grassy area.
4. Apply a thin layer of Viva LawnTM to the most damaged areas of the field.
5. Broadcast throughout the field to densify the turf; water thoroughly in the first week.
6. Apply lawn fertilizer Step 1 to the entire lawn area.

During the summer

1. Make sure you don't cut the grass too short: a weekly cut of about 5 cm (2 in.) will do the trick; a longer cut of about 8 cm (3 in.) is best during dry periods.
2. The lawn can be watered when it hasn't rained for more than a week. Water generously: the soil should be moist to a depth of about 2.5 cm (1 in.).
3. Remove as many weeds as possible. Fill the holes with compost or garden soil, then cover with lawn seed.
4. Apply lawn fertilizer Step 2 to the entire lawn area.

In the fall

1. Continue the long cut, about 8 cm (3 in).
2. Amend the soil by spreading another thin layer of compost throughout the field.
3. Reseed more grass on the fly; put a little more on the damaged areas of the field.
4. Apply Step 3 lawn fertilizer to the entire lawn area.

Repair of damaged surfaces

1. Remove visible rocks and as many weeds as possible.
2. Rake the surface to remove dead grass.
3. Spread 2.5 cm (1 in.) of Viva LawnTM Topsoil over the damaged area.
4. Broadcast the seed over the soil.
5. Water well and keep moist for the first two weeks.

If you have a grub problem, check out the Grub B Gone product sheet, a bio-insecticide that can eliminate them.

Calculation of area per bag of soil :

Fafard's Viva LawnTM

1 bag of 42 l covers :

• 2^m2 (20 ft2), at a thickness of 2.5 cm (1 in)
• 14^m2 (150 ft2), at a thickness of 0.3 cm (1/8 in)

Compost

• 1 x 35 l bag covers 2.5^m2 (30 ft2) at 1 cm (1/2 in) thickness

Lawn seed

1 bag of 750 g covers :

• 40^m2 (425 ft2) of sparse area
• 25^m2 (275 ft2) of bare surface

1 bag of 1.5 kg covers :

• 80^m2 (850 ft2) of sparse area
• 50^m2 (550 ft2) of bare surface

1 bag of 3.5 kg covers :

• 200^m2 (2200 ft2) of sparse area
• 120^m2 (1300 ft2) of bare surface