Tips & Care for
Seeded Lawns
WATERING
Lack of proper watering and fertilizing are the main reasons why newly installed lawns fail to establish.
- Establish moisture between 1- and 2-inch depth to keep the root zone moist for all seeded and sodded lawns for the first 3-4 weeks.
- New lawns should be watered 2-3 times daily pending rainfall, temperature, and moisture retention.
- Continue to water seeded lawns until the 5th mowing and then as needed with the weather conditions.
- Erosion control straw netting is 45-60-day decomposing biodegradable product. There is no need to remove the netting. You may mow it as it will add the organic fertilizer, (straw).
FERTILIZING
- Seeded lawns may take up to 2 years to fully establish when inconsistent watering and fertilizer applications are not preformed. Grass needs food and water to grow and mature. Apply starter fertilizer/lawn food (10-10-10 Composition) according to the label with a broadcast spreader every 2-3 weeks after the date of installation (a 50-pound bag covers an average of 10,000 square feet) using a broad cast spreader and make sure to overlap to help with consistent coverage. Fertilizer will turn the grass to a dark green from the nitrogen. If the color is a light green or yellow, fertilizer is needed. Fertilizer can be purchased from Pro Green Plus or Reinders Landscape Supply or any feed mill. This will help the grass to grow, thicken up and reduce weed population. Our seed mix is a Premium Wisconsin blend which contains annual, fescue and Kentucky Blue grass mix. The annual and fescue are the first to germinate and then, Kentucky Blue grass begins to germinate 2-3 weeks after the annual. This why it is so important for apply starter fertilizer every 2-3 weeks after the initial installation.
- After the lawn has been mowed on average 7 times, you may begin to apply a weed control and then follow a seasonal program of fertilizer applications. Sod may be fertilized after the 3rd mowing. At this time, you may begin with seasonal fertilizing program.
- Do not apply weed and feed to either seed or sodded lawns until the lawn has been mowed at least 7 times. This can damage the new turf if applied too early.
- After 7-10 days of fertilizer applications, the grass should begin to turn a darker shade of green. If lighter shades are present, this is an indication of inconsistent applications.
MOWING
- Start mowing your new lawn when it grows to 3 inches to prevent seedling damage. Mow with a sharp blade, removing no more than 1 / 3rd of the grass blade to prevent “tearing” of the lawn tips. Cut your new lawn at the 2nd highest setting on your lawn mower to help the grass to thicken and weed seeds from achieving sun light to germinate.
- Sod can be checked by grabbing the sod in different areas of your lawn prior to the first mowing. If it has rooted (approx. 3-4 weeks) it is ready to mow. Make sure the ground is dry to prevent damage.
