How to Care for a New Lawn

Short-term Care for a New Lawn

Watering

How often you water your lawn will depend on the weather and the type of grass you have planted. In general, a newly laid lawn needs to be watered daily or every other day. If you live in a hot, dry climate, you may need to water your lawn more frequently.

To check whether your lawn turf needs deep watering, simply stick your finger into the soil. If it feels dry several inches down, it's time to water. Overwatering is just as bad as not watering at all, so make sure to check the soil before turning on the sprinklers.

New turf's watering schedule:

• Water once or twice a day for the first two weeks while the new turf is establishing.
  
• If you can't pull the corners of the turf up, you know that the lawn has created a root system. You can now reduce the amount of watering a little bit. Water the yard every other day for the next three weeks.
  
• It will take at least one and a half to two months for the new turf to establish itself. Water it every second to third day during weeks six through eight.
  
• Your regular lawn watering schedule can resume after this. It's good to water your grass once a week, but be sure to monitor its condition and provide additional water if necessary.

Mowing

You should wait until your grass has reached a height of 6 cm before start mowing for the first time. After that, you can mow as often as needed to keep the grass at a comfortable height. Be sure to use a sharp blade on your lawnmower to avoid damaging the grass.

Fertilising

Fertilising your new lawn is important for promoting growth. However, it's best to wait until the grass is well-established before applying fertiliser. Applying fertiliser too early can actually do more harm than good.

Long-term Care for New Lawn

Once you have established lawn, you can start to focus on longer-term care tasks such as aeration and thatch removal. These activities will help to keep your lawn healthy and looking its best for years to come.

Aeration

Aeration is the process of making small holes in the soil to allow air and water to reach the roots of the grass. Aerating your lawn on a yearly basis will help to reduce compaction and improve drainage. It is also beneficial for grass that is growing in heavy clay soils.

Thatch Removal

Thatch is a layer of dead and living grass that can build up on your lawn over time. If the thatch is more than a half inch thick, it can start to impede the growth of new grass. Removing thatch from your lawn on a yearly basis will help to keep a strong and healthy lawn, promoting new growth. There are a few different ways to remove thatch from your lawn. You can use a power rake, a verticutter, or a lawn scarifier.

Pest and Disease Control

Unfortunately, even the best-cared-for lawns are not immune to pests and disease. The good news is that there are many products on the market that can help to control these problems. If you notice any signs of pests or disease in your lawn, be sure to take action right away. The sooner you treat the problem, the easier it will be to get rid of it.

New Lawn Care Tips for In-Season Care

You can make a few other adjustments to your lawn care routine during the growing season. Raking the leaves from your yard before they fall and decompose will prevent them from clogging up your lawn's drainage system, which could cause root rot and other problems. 

Raking also provides an opportunity to remove any weeds that may have sprouted and add a bit of extra compost to the soil. While it may seem like a nice gesture, you should avoid using a lawnmower to clear leaves and other yard debris during the growing season. 

Removing leaves allows you to check your lawn for pests and diseases. If you see any issues, it's best to nip them in the bud and treat them as soon as possible.

Hiring Professionals

Looking for a Wollongong lawn mowing service?  Or perhaps Newcastle lawn mowing service?  While it's certainly possible to take care of your newly laid lawn on your own, you may want to consider hiring professionals to help with the initial establishment and ongoing care. Professional lawn care companies have the knowledge and experience to make sure that your lawn turf is taken care of properly from the start.

They can also advise you on the best products and practises to use for your particular lawn. If you're not sure where to start, a professional lawn care company can be a valuable resource.