Bulgaria

Hello
I am new to the site and actually new to gardening but very eager to learn.I live in a flat in the uk with no garden but I also have an house in Bulgaria with 3500sq mtrs of garden on it.This yr after taming the jungle that was there it is now weed free(well for now)and quite flat.The soil is very good so I have been told.My plan is to go back over next April and seed a lawn.I am not looking for anything special just a basic lawn.The temp is around 10 degrees with around 4 days of rain for April.I will be there for 2 weeks and was hoping for some advice for the best way to go about it.Also I wont be back to the house until July/aug so is it ok to just let the grass grow and tame it when I go back.Appreciate any advice,Thank you

 

Welcome to Gardeners Corner Jason. Pictures of the area in question would be good if possible please.

With the temperature around 10 degrees there in April it is a little bit low for good germination, another two to three degrees would be better. Young grass will become very leggy and show gaps if it is not mown regularly. By cutting or walking on it - it helps it to produce side shots and thicken up. There's also the issue of watering, when the seed is first sown and the grass is young it really needs to be watered every day until the roots are well established.

You could lay turf instead and that would cope with the lower temperatures as long as it's frost free, but you would still be in the same situation regarding keeping it watered until it's established and the roots have bedded in. Sorry, this is probably what you didn't want to hear, but unless you can find someone to look after it while your not there it really isn't a viable idea.

 

Thanks Sheal great info as for pics I have a thread in the new members forum.Interesting what you say about new grass becoming leggy if its not mown.Do you think If I had somone mow it every 4 weeks that would be just enough?As for watering I will be there for about 10 days after seeding do you think if I water every day for the 10 that might just be too?Or if not how often do you thing it will need water taking in mind by July the temp could be 35 plus.

 

I'll have a look at the thread, in fact I probably have done already but my senior brain doesn't retain as much as it used to!

Sorry, ten days for watering will be no where near enough, the grass will only just be showing at that point if at all, it usually appears between 9 and 14 days. Sowing in April, I would probably keep it watered every day for a month at least and a minimum of once a week (rain permitting) right through to autumn with the temperatures you have there. Lawns in their first season need to be looked after, more so than one that is established. It is advisable not to feed it in it's first year either.

It's difficult to say how often it would need mowing, once it gets underway probably a maximum of two weeks between cuts, but climate, soil and temperature will make a difference to how fast it grows. The first few cuts should be done with a higher adjustment on the lawnmower, just enough to take the top off, this allows for it to branch out. A low cut will just scalp it and possibly pull the grass out.

It would probably have been best for you to sow in early autumn, it would have given it time to establish before growth slowed down for the winter months and higher rainfall to keep it watered while you're not there.

 

Cheers Sheal all good info.How about if I went over for a month watered every day.Then had someone to give it a good soaking every 2 weeks and cut once a month do you think I would have a chance with that?Also any advice on how to actually plant and prepare the soil before planting I really am a novice at this but eager to learn.Thanks

 

I took a look at your 'new members introduction' thread but sorry, the pictures aren't very clear.
You might just get away with what you have suggested above but there really isn't any guarantees. You could end up with a lawn that is just grassy patches here and there. You could re-seed those patches later, but the choice is yours.

By the time you get back there next spring you may find you will have to weed again.

Preparation.......Kill or remove any weeds or plants. Most soil will have a certain amount of compaction and it really needs to be dug or rotovated so that the new lawn can establish easier. If the soil is in poor condition perhaps you should think about a few inches of new topsoil. After digging, rake the soil to break down any lumps and then level it. This can be done by dragging a plank or ladder on it's edge across it. The soil should then be firmed down, you seem to have a large area so it won't be easy, I have done mine by a 'shuffle' walk all over it. After firming, rake and fill any lumps or dips and firm down again. Loosen the surface with a rake and then sow the grass seed and rake in gently. Water thoroughly every day from then on, evening is best when the sun won't dry it out. Try to stay off the lawn in the first couple of weeks after the grass appears. From then on it will help it to establish, breaking down the stems will encourage new growth. It's not necessary to do this as mowing will have the same effect. By the way, grass roots only grow to a depth of four to five inches. It's like pruning a plant, cutting back straggly stems encourages the plant to produce new growth and fill out. Mow the lawn when the grass is about four to five inches high and set the blades to a high cut so it just trims the top off it, repeat this for the first few cuts and until the lawn starts to thicken up, then you can gradually lower the mower blades. It's advisable not to use a hover mower as this tends to rip at the grass.

 

Thanks again Sheal great info.

 

Your welcome Jason.