Care For New Seed Lawns

Your new lawn has been carefully installed and will require continued maintenance to become an established turf. The success and results of a seeding project depend largely upon attentive post-planting care. Therefore, it is critical to the success of your lawn installation or renovation that the following watering and mowing instructions are followed.  

PLEASE NOTE: 

• Keep all non-essential foot traffic to an absolute minimum during the initial establishment period. 
• Properly irrigating during the establishment phase is a critical aspect of any planting project.  
• Adequate moisture is required to initiate seed germination and also to sustain young seedlings before their root systems are fully developed.  
• Too much water can inhibit germination, will promote disease problems, and may cause “wash-out” of seed and soil.  • Keep the planting site evenly moist but not soggy. Gradually scale back irrigation as the turf (specifically the root systems) develop and mature.  
• At first, water frequently to a shallow depth. As seedlings mature, reduce the frequency of irrigation, but increase duration of each irrigation event to water more deeply, eventually recharging the root zone and allowing the top of the soil to dry between irrigation events. 
• Mowing is a key step for turf establishment as mowing stimulates new growth which is the primary driver of turf density. We recommend waiting 2-3 weeks to mow after seed has been applied. 
• You may apply a balanced turf fertilizer after installation. We offer tailored lawn care programs to help protect your investment. • If your lawn is seeded in the Spring, there is a greater chance that weeds will be present. 
• A newly seeded lawn can take 15-45 days to germinate and 2-3 years to reach full maturity and density. This is not the same as sod and may require additional work (ie: more seeding) at a later time. Please have patience. 

➢ 1 Maintenance Practices (0-10 days): 

Water each day for at least 10-15 minutes in each area of lawn (according to how much water your sprinkler emits).  Water the soil to a depth of about ¼”. Watering a second time each day is recommended if the temperatures are over  65° and sunny. You are watering to keep the seed moist. Full sun areas may require more water than shady areas. Germination Vigor: Turfgrass mixes contain many seed varieties. Each seed variety has a different germination speed. Seed mixes will take from 10 to 35 days to germinate all seed varieties. Consistent moisture and evenly distributed watering must be maintained for 35 days to achieve complete germination. Allowing the lawn to dry out will result in partial or even total seed mortality.  

➢ 2 Maintenance Practices (10-28 days): 

The early germinating grasses (rye and fescue types) will develop first, followed by the slower germinating (blue grass) types. Continue to water every day, gradually increasing the duration of the watering each day. Water to a  depth of about ½”. Do not allow the lawn to puddle. Begin mowing as soon as the turf can withstand traffic. The lawn will need to be cut once it reaches about 3-4” in height. Only remove 1/3 of the leaf tissue per cut. In other words,  when seedlings reach a height about ⅓ higher than desired lawn height and can withstand traffic, begin to mow.  Discontinue watering for one day before mowing to let the lawn dry out. A light sprinkling of the lawn is OK to cool it down in hotter, drier weather. Water after mowing the lawn for the first time. 

➢ 3 Maintenance Practices (4 weeks and on): 

Continue to cut the lawn as needed, typically once every five to seven days. Be gentle on the new turf. Collect the clippings initially. Wait until after 3-4 mowings before regular use of the lawn resumes. Remember, blue-type grasses take 21 to 36 days to germinate so continue to water diligently. Water the lawn approximately twice per week, making sure to apply 1” of water each week. If you are applying fertilizer, follow the instructions carefully and use a rotary spreader. Look for a fertilizer that has a nutrient ratio of 3:1:2 which indicates the amount of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK). 

Care for New Seed Lawns