5 Musts for Any New Lawn

Quality Soil

Soil is the base of the grass and the organism that the grass draws nutrients from. It is important to have quality soil that is rich in lime and fertilizer. Lime and fertilizer should be applied at least two to four inches into the soil to have full effect and are available at the local gardening store.

Sufficient fertilizer consists of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It is important the soil be prepared before the grass seeds or sad are implanted as lime can take up to eight to twelve weeks to increase the PH level of the soil. Higher PH levels result in less acidic soil creating an alkaline environment for the grass to grow.  

Prior to the lawn being implanted all foreign objects such as rocks, stumps or roots should be removed from the area. Remember, the soil is the foundation of the lawn and it is important have a strong foundation – ensuring the base is flat will create a uniform and appealing lawn.

Water

Water is a vital part to a new lawn. Light frequent watering is going to germinate the seeds and promote the grass to spread and grow across the lawn.

Once the grass begins to grow it is important to water deep into the soil, and at infrequent periods. Hand watering is most recommended. The soil should never become completed drenched, or in a complete drought therefore hand watering is highly important to gauge the amount of water that the lawn is receiving.

The majority of new lawns will require from one to two inches of water per week. It is more effective to water once weekly than to constantly water throughout the week. A rule of thumb is that the soil should be wet to the deepest root.

There are two ideal times periods during the day to water the lawn. These time periods are between four and eight in the morning and eight to twelve in the evening. The majority of water that is used on the lawn during the day is evaporated by the hot sun therefore causing drought to the soil and increasing the risk of disease.

There are exceptions to this rule in the case of newly lain sod. Newly lain sod should be watered three to four times daily and should be moistened without saturating the soil. When the sod begins to grow it is important that the seeds be constantly moist – this will allow the seeds to germinate and implant within the soil. This should occur until the sod has been mowed two to three times, than the practise of deep infrequent watering should be adhered to.

Sunlight

Sunlight is crucial in the germination and growing period of the lawn. On average, new lawns require at least four hours of sunlight per day. This will vary with the type of grass that is being grown as some require less sunlight and will continue to thrive in the shade.

The process of seed germination requires sunlight and warmth. The sun plays a crucial part in the implantation of the new grass. Planting new grass during a period of warmth and sun and applying proper amounts of water will result in a lush and green lawn.

Proper Mowing

As soon as the grass reaches the proper cutting height the lawn should be mowed. Traffic should be avoided on the new lawn until it has had the chance to fill in. Excessive traffic will result in damage a risk of the lawn not becoming completely full.

The first mowing will allow the sun to reach the parts of the lawn that have been covered by stronger blades and have yet to be germinated. Mowing is crucial in the development of a full and healthy lawn.

Following these steps will create a lawn that will flourish and grow for seasons to come. There are three parts to a successful lawn; moisture, sunlight and quality soil. Mowing, fertilizing will assist the homeowner in creating a full and healthy lawn. A new lawn takes effort and patience but will result in success!

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