Get your new lawn off to a good start.
Now that you have your new lawn seeded or sodded, here are a few good tips to help get it off to a healthy start. I little time and patience in the beginning will go a long ways toward providing years of beauty and enjoyment.
Watering
The single most important step in establishing a green healthy lawn is adequate moisture. Keeping the seeds damp with either rainfall or irrigation will help encourage proper seed germination.
The first watering can be done right away. The watering should moisten the soil to a depth of 2 to 3 inches. Be sure not to water the newly seeded area with excessive water. Watering with such force that is will wash away soil and seed is a common occurrence. Water with a gentle spray. This will help keep all the soil and seed in place and allow seed development to occur.
After the initial watering, irrigate the newly seeded area lightly and frequently. Two to three times a day if possible. Continue doing this until grass begins to establish and mature. After the grass starts to mature the watering can be lengthened and the intervals can between watering can be extended. Watering at night is not recommended.
Activity
Try to avoid too much activity on your newly seeded yard. To much traffic can interfere with seed germination. For the next two or three weeks we suggest limiting the amount of activity on your lawn as much as possible.
Traffic from people, pets, bikes, and cars can create ruts and holes that could ruin the terrain and cause drainage problems. Try to pamper your new lawn like you do that vintage sports car for a few weeks. It will pay off in the long run.
Mowing
Your new lawn will be ready to mow when the grass has grown to a point higher than what you plan on maintaining it. For example, if you plan to maintain the lawn at 2 1/2 inches, mow the lawn for the first time when the grass has grown to a height of 3 inches.
Keep in mind that one of the most important requirements of mowing your new lawn is to make sure that your blades on your mower are sharp. Mowing with a dull blade rips and shreds the grass instead of cutting it. Seedlings can actually be ripped from the soil. Mowing with dull blades also make the grass more susceptible to other problems like brown leaf tips and disease infestation.
