ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURE (2+1)

Digging

• Rough surface leveling by eye estimation should be done prior to digging. If during rough leveling a lot of shifting and filling of soil is necessitated, the surface soil should first be taken out and kept separately, which should be laid on the top after final leveling.
  


• After rough leveling is completed the digging work should be taken up. Thorough preparation of the ground is most essential in the success of a lawn.
  


• At each stage of digging care should be taken to see that the clods of earth are broken and pulverized thoroughly. During the process of digging, all stones, old masonry, grass roots, etc. should be removed.
  


• Special care should be taken to remove the roots of nut grass (Cyperus rotundus).
  


• In most parts of India, digging is done during the hot months of April and May. After the trenching is completed the soil is left to dry in the scorching sun for a period of 7-15 days to kill the weeds or insects and for sterilizing the soil.
  


• The soil should be turned up subsequently 2-3 times at weekly intervals, each time the clods of earth, if any, are broken and roots of weeds removed.