General Turf Maintenance Guidelines
Your newly seeded lawn application contains pure grass seed that requires a continuous supply of moisture if it is
to germinate and grow. This moisture must come from rainfall or watering. It is not likely that it will rain
every day for the next week or two, so daily watering will be required. It is usually necessary to water more than
once a day to keep moisture in the soil. DO NOT ALLOW YOUR NEWLY SEEDED LAWN TO DRY OUT FOR INITIAL 14 DAYS AFTER
INSTALLATION.
The heavy clay soils in our area do not absorb water quickly so it is advisable to water slowly and allow the water
to soak in. (example: water 20-40 minutes, wait 30 minutes, repeat). If water begins to puddle or run, stop watering
that area of your seeded lawn immediately!
Initial Watering
During the germination phase (usually two weeks), two or three times-a-day watering is appropriate in cooler weather,
such as early spring or the late fall. In the hot summer days, three or four waterings a day will be required. Avoid
puddling and washing, but water thoroughly. Be aware, that during times when it rains, it may not be necessary to water
for one or two days. When it is windy, more watering will be required.
The second phase of the watering program begins when the grass is about 1 inch tall. Reduce the frequency of watering
to every day or two. Water slowly and deeply; moistening the soil to a depth of 3-6 inches (this promotes deep, healthy
root systems). In very hot summer, daily watering may be appropriate.
The third phase. After five to seven weeks of growing, further reduce the watering to two or three times a week (watering
slowly and to a depth of 6-12 inches) will still be necessary for a deep and healthy root system. Also reduce or discontinue
watering during wet and/or cool periods. Established lawns need approximately 1 inch of water a week to thrive and should
be watered early in the mornings NOT late at night as this increases the chance of lawn diseases.
Mowing
A new lawn should be mowed as soon as the grass blades are 2" to 3" high. Delaying the first cutting may allow long grass
blades to bend over, causing a shabby appearance. Subsequent mowing should be done often and lawn mower blades should always
be kept sharp to prevent bruised and torn grasses which develop unsightly brown spots. Should the grass get too tall before
it is moved, raise the mower. A good rule of thumb is to never mow off more than one-third of the grass leaves during any
one cutting.
Initial Fertilizing Program
The lawn area will need an application of balanced fertilizer after the first mowing and again 30 days later. Apply fertilizer
on the lawn area when it is dry and then water thoroughly. Use a standard balanced fertilizer available at almost any lawn
supply store such as 10-20-20, 10-20-10, 13-13-13 or similar. Read the instructions. Apply at recommended rates. Different
grasses in different areas have different requirements.
DO NOT USE WEED KILLER ON LAWN
Weeds will appear in your new lawn. They come from seeds which have lain dormant in the ground or which have been carried by
wind or birds. These weeds can be best controlled by growing good healthy grass. Grass which is properly watered, mowed, and
fertilized provides too much competition for weed plants to gain any stronghold. Should your lawn ever become damaged or have
bare spots, reseed immediately to prevent competitive weed growth from becoming established. If weeds do appear, consult your
local nurseryman for the proper methods and chemicals to control weeds before they have gained a stronghold in your lawn. It
is important to realize that these weed seeds were already present in your soil. HOME TURF
uses virtually weed free seed mixes. Consult a professional lawn care expert before applying any weed killer product to a
prepared seedbed or your newly established lawn. Usually, any weed problems can be easily remedied the second year of growth.
Pest Control
Pest control generally requires chemical treatment. Your local nursery or garden center has a variety of compounds for use on
new lawns. If a severe problem exists or the pests are unknown, it is best to contact your county agent or state entomologist
for advice.
Lawn Diseases
There are many factors that may influence the existence of disease in the lawn. Geographic region, grass variety, moisture and
soil type are several. Contact your local extension office for information on controlling various lawn diseases.
Maintaining Shaded Areas
Adequate nutrients for turf can be provided by thoroughly fertilizing trees and heavily fertilizing the turf. Leaves should be
raked early in the spring while the tree branches are still bare to allow the maximum amount of sunlight to reach this grass,
which generally is shaded throughout the remainder of the growing season.
Information
We have provided links to various additional resources and information. We encourage you to visit the sites for specific
information.
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