Lawn care

Necessary material

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

In spring

1. Aerate the soil: this operation serves to decompact the earth and to better oxygenate it, which improves the assimilation of water and fertilizers. A floor aerator can be rented from a tool rental center.
2. Dethatch the soil surface: this step consists of removing all the dead grass accumulated on the ground, thus preventing the spread of harmful insects or fungi. A dethatcher can be rented from a tool rental center or the job can be done using a leaf rake.
3. Topdress: spread a thin layer of compost all over the grassy area.
4. Spread a thin layer of Viva Pelouse MC on the most damaged surfaces of the ground.
5. Broadcast sow everywhere on the land to thicken the grass; water well during the first week.
6. Apply Step 1 lawn fertilizer to the entire lawn area.

During summer

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

In autumn

1. Continue the long cut, approximately 8 cm (3 in).
2. Amend the soil by spreading another thin layer of compost all over the land.
3. Re-sow more grass on the fly; put a little more on the damaged parts of the ground.
4. Apply Lawn Fertilizer Step 3 over the entire grassed 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) thick of Viva Pelouse ^TM potting soil on the damaged surface.
4. Broadcast the seeds over the soil.
5. Water well and keep moist for the first two weeks.

If you have grub problems, consult the product sheet for Grub B Gone, a bio-insecticide that can eliminate them.

Calculation of surface area per bag of potting soil:

Viva lawn by Fafard ^MC

1 42 l bag covers:

• 2 m ² (20 ft ² ), at a thickness of 2.5 cm (1 in)
• 14 m ² (150 ft ² ), at a thickness of 0.3 cm (1/8 in.)

Compost

• 1 35 l bag covers 2.5 m ² (30 ft ² ), at a thickness of 1 cm (1/2 in)

Grass seed

1 bag of 750 g covers:

• 40 ^m2 (425 ^ft2 ) of sparse surface area
• 25 m ² (275 ft ² ) of bare surface

1 bag of 1.5 kg covers:

• 80 ^m2 (850 ^ft2 ) of sparse surface area
• 50 m ² (550 ft ² ) of bare surface

1 bag of 3.5 kg covers:

• 200 m ² (2200 ft ² ) of sparse surface area
• 120 m ² (1300 ft ² ) of bare surface