Now that the grass seed or sod has established itself, you might be wondering what the next steps are for proper lawn care.
The most important thing to keep doing is to water the new grass. You want the top inch or two to be moist, but not soggy, to encourage the root base to grow. When there’s too much water, it can trigger root rot. If there’s not enough moisture, the stress can cause yellowing or browning problems.
You can cut back on the watering to about twice per week to a depth of about eight inches after the first or second mowing.
Once you’ve taken care of the watering needs, here are the additional steps to take when caring for your new lawn.
1. Mowing a New Lawn
Hold off on mowing the new lawn until the grass reaches an appropriate height. That indicates the root base has established itself. You’ll want to have a sharp blade for this work, cutting when everything is dry. Don’t remove more than one-third of the height in a single mowing.
If you overseeded your lawn, you could mow when it is needed. Just try to limit the traffic over the targeted area.
2. Feeding a New Lawn
Applying a fertilizer formulated for new grass works better to achieve excellent results. Most lawns will need the product applied two to four weeks after seeding. You’ll also want to consider the specific soil deficiencies that require correction when selecting a product.
If you apply a starter fertilizer while seeding the lawn, you’ll want to apply a standard lawn food about six to eight weeks later for the best results. Continue with regular feeding using that interval to help the grass crowd out weeds and have more resiliency against drought, heat, and everyday use.
3. Weeding a New Lawn
A new lawn typically needs a minimum of four mowings before it is ready to handle today’s best weed-control products. Some items are meant for distribution when sowing seeds, which means you can just follow the instructions on the bag or container.
If you have weeds that need to go before that time, they can always be dug out by hand. Be careful about pulling them as the roots can break off, allowing them to regrow.
4. Handling Pests in a New Lawn
It’s common to see bugs attracted to a new lawn. You’ll want to protect the grass with a control product, but some items are unsuitable for newly planted sod or after immediate seeding. You’ll want to read and follow the directions on the label to ensure you get the results you want.
5. Traffic on a New Lawn
New grass is vulnerable to damage. If you must walk across the lawn to water or care for it, use boards to help spread out your weight. Even then, try to avoid any contact for the first three weeks. Heavy traffic should wait for at least 90 days to ensure the roots are well established.
When you know how to care for a new lawn, you’ll get to enjoy its beauty throughout the season. Don’t forget about the additional services that a professional lawn care provider offers, ranging from aeration to mowing, to achieve the best results!
