—Lancaster Farming, Saturda
16
From Local A
The article this week was
prepared by Arba Henry,
vocational agriculture teacher at
Solanco High School.
Spring Lawn Care
Every year hundreds of
Lancaster County homeowners
spend many dollars on lawn
products Unfortunately,
however, not all .of this money is
well spent or produces the
desired results Now is the time
to start preparing your lawn for
this summer.
A soil test is probably the most
important thing a homeowner
should be concerned about at this
time Be careful where you take
your soil samples in the yard -
avoiding poorly drained areas,
and getting samples throughout
the yard and not concentrating in
certain areas
Homeowners building a new
lawn or reviving an old one
should keep in mind the
following
1 Remove any rocks and
debris both on and under the soil
surface.
2 Have topsoil that was
removed during construction
spread evenly over the lawn
area Of topsoil is not available,
add four six-cubic-feet bales of
peat moss per 1,000 square feet,
3 Spread pulverized limestone
over the lawn area in the amount
determined by the soil test. If you
>ril 8 1972
Teachers:
Thoughts
in Passing
Arba L. Henry
Teacher of Agriculture
Solanco High School
do not test the soil, apply lime at
the rate of 100 pounds per 1,000
square feet.
4 To provide nutrients needed
for a vigorous new growth, apply
50 pounds of plant food per 1,000
square feet. Several good com
mercial types are available.
5 With a rotary tiller or spade,
mix the peat, lime, and fertilizer
into the top three or four inches of
soil and prepare and even the
seedbed.
6. Sow the lawn seed ap
proximately five pounds per 1,000
square feet Sow one-half the seed
and then apply the balance
working at right angles to the
first application to assure an
even seed distribution. Cover the
seed by raking lightly or better
still with one-fourth inch of fine
soil or peat and firm by rolling
followed by lightly sprinkling.
7. Sprinkle the new lawn gently
but frequently. The first cutting
should be made when grass
heigth reaches 2Vz to 3 inches,
the mower set at two inches. The
heigth of cut should not be
changed until good sod is
established.
For those who already have an
established lawn certain seasonal
care should be maintained.
1. Apply 50 to 75 pounds per
1,000 square feet of fine-ground
limestone every two years of
follow soil test.
2. Fertilize approximately 10 to
12 pounds of 10-10-10,12-4-8, or 12-
6-16 per 1,000 square feet. Usually
an 80-pound bag is adequate for
the average home lawn which is
about 6-8,000 square feet.
3. For the first mowing you
may wish to cut shorter than
normal to remove any thatch,
leaves, or debris which have
accumulated and rake off the
cuttings.
4. Mow the lawn fairly
regularly never taking off more
than one-fourth to one-half inch at
(Continued On Page 17)
SPECIAL!
BE READY FOR SPRING!
Don’t be caught napping when everything is waking up
to new life! Get a better truck now!
stt'Sd *2339.21
Built to last! Priced to go! Right now!
VENTURES CHEVROLET
AT KISSEL HILL LITITZ, PA.
Don’t assume we know about your farm organization’s
meeting. To get your meeting on ourJFarm Calendar, it's
safer to assume we don’t know.
Remind us by calling 394-3047 or 626-2191 or by writing
to Lancaster Farming, 22 E. Main St., Lititz, Pa. 17543.
You’ll be helping us to serve you better.
P.S. If you’re not sure you told us already, we don’t
mind hearing from you again.
APRIL
Help Us Serve You
White Tires, Chrome bumper.
Two tone Paint extra.
Destination Charges, Local tax extra
626-2091