Page Outline:
- Seeded Lawn Care and Maintenance
- Sod Lawn Care and Maintenance
The most important
factor in getting a seeded lawn off to a good start is to keep the
surface moist until the grass is one inch high, then water once or
twice a day until the first mowing. Obviously rain and cool weather
may help you avoid some waterings, but sun and wind could dry the
seed very quickly. An established lawn should be watered once or
twice a week with 1" of water per week when it isn't raining. Test
your sprinkler application rate by placing tin cans on the lawn,
turn on the water and note the length of time it takes to fill the
cans with one inch of water. This is the approximate length of time
you should water your established lawn every week during dry
weather.
Mow the grass when it
reaches 2" tall, or most of the grass blades are beginning to curve.
Allow the soil to dry out enough so that the mower tires do not
damage the developing grass. Use a sharp mower set about 1 1/2"
high. It is harmful to remove more than 1/3 the height of the grass
at one cutting. This can produce a "scalped" appearance and stress
the lawn.
Fertilizer was applied
with your lawn, so it won't need fertilizing again until it is
established and has been mowed twice or shows signs of turning
yellow-green. New lawns planted in soil recently mixed with organic
matter will require more frequent fertilizing the first 2 years,
because decomposing matter ties up nitrogen in the soil (then later
releases it). During the growing season, March thru November, it is
beneficial to apply a 12-4-8 fertilizer or one with a 3-1-2 ratio
every 4-5 weeks to an established lawn. Application of fertilizer in
late fall is probably the best time because it stimulates root
growth in the dormant months. Water well after fertilizing your
lawn. "Weed and Feed" type products are not recommended for use on a
new lawn until it is six months to one year old. Be sure to read the
manufacturers directions.
Heavy traffic on your
new seeded lawn should be avoided until it looks lush and green.
Traffic can leave foot prints and depressions in soft wet soil.
Furney's Nursery (21215
Pacific Hwy. So.) carries a complete line of lawn care products that
we have found to be good. They will give helpful advice in selecting
the product that you need to control weeds, disease, insects and
fertilizing.
New sod has a very
shallow root system for several weeks until it can establish roots
down into the soil. Therefore daily watering is critical to keep the
existing roots from drying out and the sod from shrinking. During
hot weather it may be necessary to water twice during the day until
the grass becomes rooted. If seams show gaps or turn yellow-brown it
usually indicates lack of water, more frequent watering will prevent
this. Established lawns require 1" of water per week in one or two
applications. Test your sprinkler application rate by placing tin
cans on the lawn, turn on the water and note the length of time it
takes to fill the cans with one inch of water. This becomes the
length of time you should water your established lawn per week
during dry weather. More frequent on sandy soil, less frequent on
clay soil.
Heavy traffic on your
new sod lawn should be avoided, but just walking across it to set a
sprinkler shouldn't hurt it unless the ground is very damp and soft.
The roots will start holding it down and knitting it together a few
weeks after installation.
Mow the grass when it
reaches about 2" tall, or most of the grass blades are beginning to
curve. Allow the soil to dry out enough so that the mower tires do
not damage the developing grass. Use a sharp mower set about 1 1/2"
high. It is harmful to remove more than 1/3 the height of the grass
at one cutting. This can produce a "scalped" appearance and stress
the lawn.
Fertilizer was applied
with your lawn, so it won't need fertilizing again until it has been
mowed twice or shows signs of turning yellow-green. New lawns
planted in soil recently mixed with organic matter will require more
frequent fertilizing the first 2 years, because decomposing ties up
nitrogen in the soil (then later releases it). During the growing
season, March thru November, it is beneficial to apply a 12-4-8
fertilizer (or one with a 3-1-2 ratio) every 4-5 weeks to an
established lawn. Application of fertilizer in late fall is the most
important time because it stimulates root growth in the dormant
months. Water well after fertilizing your lawn. Also read the
manufacturer directions. Weed and feed type fertilizers are not
recommended for use on a new sod lawn until it is over six months
old, and there is a weed problem. A healthy lawn is your best weed
preventer.
Furney's Nursery (21215
Pacific Hwy. So.) carries a complete line of lawn care products that
we have found to be good. They will give helpful advice in selecting
the product that you need to control weeds, disease, insects and
fertilizing.
Back to Top |
