How to Establish Your New Lawn
Establishing your new lawn, whether seeded or sodded, takes thought, attention, and the right amount of water, especially during the busy days when you are moving in. This guide provides best practice guidance on establishing a healthy law that can flourish for years.
Watering
- Set your sprinklers. To measure watering, place an empty short can in the middle of the watering area. When there is about a half of an inch of water in the can, the watering is complete and the amount of time it took to fill the fill ½” of water can be programmed into your sprinkler timer.
- First week. Water once a day the first week in the early morning or at night.
- Second week. For the second week, water every other day.
- After the lawn establishes, or the sod knits to the ground.Water as needed. Deep, occasional watering is more important than light watering every day. Doing so will promote deep root growth that will result in healthier grass.
Mowing
- Mowing can begin when the grass reaches 2-1/2 to 3 inches
- Set you mower to a cutting height of 1-1/2 to 2 inches
- A good rule to follow is to never remove more than 1/3 of the blade
Tips and Recommendations
- Keep leaves, people, pets and toys off the lawn for the first 2-3 weeks
- Grass should be fertilized at least twice a year in accordance with the fertilizer manufacturers guidelines.
- Do not use crabgrass pre-emergent or weed control products within 6 weeks of seeding.