May 29,1981 PAGE 9
Sod lawns fast and simple Extension
Establishing a lawn by using
sod is a simple wav to avoid the
six-to-eight week struggle of
coaxing a newly-seeded lawn
into existence. Where growing
a lawn from seed would be
e x tre m e ly d if f ic u lt o r
impossible, sodding offers a
good chance of success.
If lawn sod is used, it’s
important to install it correctly.
Proper site preparation and the
choice of a turf grass variety
that is adapted to local
conditions are also imnportant.
A blend of selected fine
f e s c u e s a n d im p r o v e d
Kentucky bluegrass is found in
most of the sods commercially
available in Oregon. Some
blends also include perennial
ryegrass.
The area where the sod is to
be planted should be rototilled,
graded, fertilized, rolled and
raked. The yard should be
sloped so water will drain away
from the house.
Sod won’t thrive if placed
directly on subsoil or worn-out
topsoil. If additional topsoil is
needed, do the grading first,
then add the topsoil and rototill
it lightly into the top inch or
two of the planting site.
If there isn’t time for a soil
analysis, use a fertilizer that
will supply two pounds of
„actual element each of nitrogen
and phosphorus per thousand
square feet.
Remove all trash, rocks and
other debris from the soil
surface before laying the sod.
Do a final light raking and pack
the soil surface lightly with a
ro ller before the sod is
delivered.
For best results, install the
sod immediately after it’s
delivered. Sod doesn’t keep
well in a stack. When ordering
sod, arrange to have it
delivered when the soil is
co m p letely p re p a re d for
planting.
Sod can be installed by do-it-
yourself, but it is usually
installed by the supplier, who
contracts to both furnish and
lay the sod.
When laying the sod, it is
best to establish a straight line
through the length of the area
and lay the sod along it. Before
installing the sod, irrigate the
soil lightly. Dry soil beneath
the sod will pull moisture from
the new grass and increase the
risk of damage.
Fit the pieces of sod together
as tightly as possible. Don’t
stretch or overlap the pieces.
Butt all ends tightly against
each other to prevent air spaces
that will cause the roots to dry
out.
Make sure the sod is in firm
contact with the soil by rolling
it after installation. After
rolling the sod, add a top
dressing of nitrogen fertilizer at
a rate of one pound per
thousand square-feet, and then
water.
Water the sod enough to
moisten it and soil below to a
depth of several inches. Keep
the sod moist until it has
become established.
D uring the spring and
summer this may require two
or three waterings a day.
Wait seven to 10 days or until
the sod is firmly-rooted and
secure in place before mowing.
Set the mower height so no
more than 40 percent of the
grass height is cut with the first
mowing.
For more information about
law n sod see the OSU
E x te n s io n p u b l i c a t i o n ,
“Establish Lawns by Sodding,”
EC 966. It’s available at the
Extension office of the OSU
Extension Service in the old
Administration Building.
Ways to cut calf losses
Calf losses in heifers are
often high and most of these
deaths are a result of dystocia
(calving difficutly) problems,
according to the new Oregon
State University Extension
Service publication, “How to
Handle Calving difficulties.”
The new publication states
that many of these calf losses
can be prevented if the heifers
are closely watched and
the dystocia problems detected
and corrected early.
The E xtension circular
d e s c rib e s so m e r o u tin e
techniques that can help reduce
calf losses. It also recommends
t h a t a n y s e r i o u s and*
com plicated problem s be
handled by a veterinarian.
“How to Handle Calving
Difficulties” explains how
recognize normal calving, the
dangers of interfering during
birth of a calf and when and
how to examine the cow.
Also included are sections on
how to prepare before helping
with the calf birth and forced
extraction of a calf.
The publication stresses that
it is important to know, with
complete confidence, how long
to leave the cow during calf>
birth and when to seek help.
“How to Handle Calving
Difficulties,” EC 1074, is
available free at the Extension
office.
...............
Notes
from Pennle Little
and Clint Jacks
Shrubs may need fertilizers
In most cases, home lawns
and landscape shrubs respond
to spring with a flush of green
growth. Shrubs and lawns that
don’t are usually in need of
some spring fertilization.
A shot of fertilizer can do
w onders fo r w ash ed -o u t
looking shrubs or lawngrass
that has taken on a yellowish
cast.
Many fertilizer formulations
manufactured specially for
grass are available. Weed and
feed combinations will do
double duty by killing early
summer weeds. Directions for
using these fertilizers should be
printed on the package.
Ammonium nitrate contains
33 percent nitrogen; a five-
pound . box will cover 1,000
square feet. Ammonium sulfate
contains 21 percent nitrogen.
W a s h e d -o u t e v e rg re e n
shrubs can use some fertilizer
to green them up again.
A fertilizer high in nitrogen,
such as a 12-4-8 combination,
can put the green back in
evergreen shrubs and will help
eliminate stunted growth. It
can be applied at the rate of one
pound, or two cups per 100
square feet.
4-H Summer Camp
Applications are still being
accepted for 4-H Camp to be
held June 22-26 at Round
Lake. The camp is designed for
all youth completing the 4-6
grades.
4-H cam p is* a well-
s u p e r v is e d e d u c a t i o n a l
outdoor adventure experience
with responsible leadership in
group living from which each
youngster will benefit.
Cost to youth from Warm
Springs is $25. Registration
deadline is June 1. Additional
information and applications
can be picked up at the Warm
Springs Extension office.
“Earth Week” ---------------------------------- *
Simnasho students plant flowers
“Look! I did it!!”
Is this hole deep enough?
For their “Earth Week” project this year, Rich Little’s Simnasho students learned about
germination, where the roots and stems come out of the seeds, and how flowers push up through the
soil. On M ay 8, they planted Dahlias, Marigolds, Zinnias a id a mixed bag o f garden flowers. They
tend the plants everyday and now know what’s weed and what’s flower,
Spifyay Tymoo photo by Rangila