It is common knowledge that the lawn is rolled after sowing. But what to do if there is no roller? You can find out here which alternatives are available and how they work.
In a nutshell
- there are many reasons for rolling the lawn
- especially for reseeding and new planting
- if you don't have a roller at hand there are some alternatives
- from wooden boards to vibrating plates
- all with their own advantages and disadvantages
Why roll the lawn?
Mowing is usually done once before sowing and once after. Rolling is also helpful for existing green areas, for example if there are many voles and/or moles in the lawn and the area is no longer level.
Reasons for rolling
- Consolidate soil (without compacting it)
- Moisture stays better
- Seed is pressed into the ground, better soil connection
- flat surface without holes or hills
- prevents uninvited guests (especially mice and moles)
Alternatives to the lawn roller
Sometimes there is no lawn roller at hand or it is too difficult to handle. There are a few alternatives to level turf without a roller. It is particularly easy for smaller areas in the lawn that need to be repaired. It's enough if they are trampled on with sturdy shoes before and after sowing. It is important that the soil is sufficiently dry so that it does not stick to the soles of the shoes.
boards
An old method is to strap boards under your feet and walk the surface with them.
manual
- Choose boards that are as large as possible but still allow you to walk.
- You also need a few nails or screws and preferably wide rubber bands.
- Fasten the rubber bands to the boards in such a way that you can easily slip your feet in and the boards sit snugly on your feet.
- With the planks on your feet, slowly walk over the entire seeded area.
- Apply even pressure and allow the stepped area to overlap slightly.
benefits
- large contact surface
- works with your own body weight
- special attention can be paid to difficult spots
disadvantage
- has to be built first
- there may be unsightly transitions
Euro pallets
With wooden pallets, the lawn can be leveled over a large area without a roller and an effect similar to that of rollers can be created.
manual
- The pallet should be processed as straight as possible.
- A rope several meters long is also required.
- Turn the pallet over so the plank side is resting on the lawn. The boards lie perpendicular to the direction of pull.
- Attach the rope to both ends of the pallet.
- Hold the rope in the middle and slowly pull it across the surface at an even pace.
- Walk along and across the lawn and let the tracks overlap slightly.
Notice: The pallet can also be strapped to a lawn tractor, which then pulls it behind it. In this case, it is also conceivable to weigh them down additionally.
rake
Smaller areas can be smoothed and leveled with a simple wooden rake without a roller. Since the rake is not heavy, it is particularly suitable for already compacted soils that would only be further compacted by a lawn roller.
manual
- All you need is a normal wooden rake from the garden or hardware store.
- Rake the soil smooth before sowing.
- Then press down the soil with the back of the rake.
- sow seeds.
- Rake the seeds lightly into the soil.
- Then press the earth down well with the back of the.
benefits
- Rakes are not expensive and often already available anyway
- easy handling, no effort required
disadvantage
- Only suitable for smaller areas, otherwise the lawn will become uneven
- Soil is not pressed as hard as with the roller
- time-consuming because of the small contact surface
vibrating plate
While the vibrating plate seems to be a suitable tool for rolling the lawn without a roller, it has one major disadvantage, as it extremely compacts the soil. It should therefore only be used on a lawn if it is growing on very loose soil. Plate compactors are also heavy and cumbersome.
Notice: If a vibrating plate first has to be borrowed, the lawn roller is always the better alternative.
frequently asked Questions
When should the lawn be rolled?Especially for new planting and overseeding. Otherwise best in spring, after scarifying.
Are there reasons not to roll green spaces?In heavy soils that tend to compact, rolling the lawn does more harm than good. It ensures that rainwater no longer sufficiently seeps into the ground, but instead remains on the surface. If it rains for a long time, the grasses can “drown”, so to speak.
Is rolling the lawn absolutely necessary?If you don't want the lawn to be absolutely perfect, rolling it or using an alternative is not absolutely necessary. In any case, it makes sense to rake in and smooth the seed with a rake when planting a new plant.