General Maintenance after Installation
It’s a well known fact that producing a successful lawn is often more difficult than any other phase of gardening. We endeavor to use the best materials available for each specific situation. We cannot, however control the weather, soil conditions, or subsequent care which determine the success or failure of lawns after they are planted.
Monitor:
Monitor your lawn on a regular basis: daily for new lawns; weekly for established lawns. It doesn’t take long for a small problem to turn into a large one.
Water:
Water is the most important factor to establishing, and maintaining a lawn!
Watering new sod in sunny areas:
If new sod is wilting, water it.
Give your new lawn at least 3/4 inch of water within 1/2 hour of installation. Repeat watering at regular intervals to keep the new turf moist until rooted (about 2-3 weeks). Then less frequent and deeper watering should begin.
Seasonal weather conditions should be considered, and will dictate the amount and frequency of watering needed.
Do not water if a frost or freeze is predicted.
Watering new sod in shaded areas:
It is difficult to transplant sod that has been grown in a full sun environment and have it survive in a shaded area, especially heavily shaded areas. To prevent fungus problems, water only as needed.
Please call our office for your specific needs.
Mowing:
The importance of a sharp blade on the mower cannot be stressed enough! Cutting the lawn with a dull blade on the mower, not only leaves your grass looking bad, it also stresses, shocks, and damages the turf.
Two to three weeks after installation of your new sod, begin mowing on a regular basis. Mow at least once a week during the growing season, every ten to fourteen days during the off season.
Remember this simple rule, “never cut off more then one third of the leaf surface”
Insects:
If your lawn appears damaged and it has received the proper amount of water, check for insects. Chinch bugs, Sod webworms, Mole crickets, and Grubs are common enemies of turf grasses. Once insects have been identified, immediately apply an appropriate insecticide to stop further damage.
Diseases:
There is always some fungal activity in most turf grass; however it’s when it gets out of control that we have problems.
During our rainy season is usually when we need to pay closer attention to disease activity, especially in new sod. A broad spectrum fungicide should be applied to control disease.
Consider this as general information for most varieties of turf grass, specific water requirements, and cutting heights will vary with each species, and cultivar.
Failure to follow these few simple guide lines could result in a severely damaged or dead lawn.
We will at any length of time after installation be glad to advise you of its proper care.
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