Soil Preparation

The soil should be well cultivated before planting. This preparation includes removing all surface vegetation and debris e.g. remove all large stones and correct all drainage problems. Weeds may be removed by cultivation or the use of appropriate herbicides. Incorporate a good lignitic soil conditioner into the top 100cm of soil.

Fertilization before planting should be based on the results of a soil analysis. If a soil analysis is not possible, then the following general guidelines may be used:

If the soil is highly acidic, lime should be applied at a rate of 30 kg/100 m2. The lime should be well mixed with the soil at least a month before planting the grass. It is always good practice to broadcast the premixed fertilizer 2:3:4 (24), at a rate of 60g/m2, to the soil prior to planting. This supplies the necessary nutrients to the soil for optimum plant growth. (It must be stressed that this is a general recommendation and a soil analysis may indicate that fertilizer requirements for your particular situation may be very different).

A day or two before planting, Superphosphate, at the rate of 1 kg/100m2, should be broadcast over the entire area and mixed into the soil by rotovation or cultivating it. Before planting, irrigate to moisten the top 150mm of the soil.

Future weed growth can be minimised by thoroughly irrigating the area to be planted two weeks prior to planting. This will allow sufficient time for the weed seeds and bulbs to germinate. They may then be eliminated by cultivation or herbicide application.

Alternatively, a treatment of methyl bromide (or other suitable soil sterilizer), at a rate of 0.5 kg/l U 1n2, is suggested prior to planting. Methyl bromide can be injected as cold or hot gas under gas-proof covers and kept in place for 48 hours. Aerate the soil for three - 21 days following this treatment, depending on soil type and temperature. Methyl bromide will control almost all future weeds, diseases and pests.