How to Take Care of Your Lawn After Installing New Turf in Dutchess County, NY
A thick, green lawn is the final step to a beautifully landscaped yard. Not only will a lush lawn make your Dutchess County, NY, yard the envy of the neighborhood, it can also increase your home’s curb appeal. To protect your investment and keep your grass healthy, it’s important to properly care for your new turf. Lehigh Lawns and Landscaping Inc. offers professional lawn care services to ensure that your grass looks its best all season long.
Caring for New Turf
A new turf lawn requires careful installation and specific care after installation. For the first two weeks, your new lawn has not yet taken root, and should not be walked on. Keep foot traffic to a minimum and remain off the turf unless absolutely necessary. Putting weight on your new turf can leave imprints and create an uneven lawn. New turf also requires extra water, but it’s important to water at the right times.
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During weeks three and four, the amount of water your new turf requires begins to change. This is the time to transition to fewer watering cycles and to shift watering times. At the three week mark, mowing can begin. New grass requires more care when mowing and should never be cut too short. After four weeks, your new lawn should be established, but will continue to require ample water for the rest of its first growing season.
Watering New Turf
Watering is the most crucial aspect of new turf care. Proper watering is the key to establishing strong roots. A lack of water will cause wilted grass and dead patches, while too much water can lead to disease and weak root establishment.
There are a variety of factors that can affect how much water your lawn receives. Weather conditions, soil type and location can all impact moisture levels and should be taken into consideration when determining watering schedules.
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Your new lawn will require different amounts of water at different stages in the growing process. A lawn-care expert can assess your soil and other environmental factors to determine the right amount of water for your turf.
The type of irrigation system you use will also make a difference in how your lawn should be watered. Different systems may have varying water output and spray radiuses that will affect how much water your lawn receives.
Mowing New Turf
Knowing when to start mowing your new grass is important. You risk damaging the turf by mowing too soon. The professionals at Lehigh Lawns and Landscaping Inc. are trained to know when your new grass is established enough to withstand the rigors of mowing.
It’s also essential that new grass is cut to the right height. Removing too much of the blade can inhibit photosynthesis and result in weak roots and burnt patches. Your new lawn should be cut with a reliable mower with sharp blades. Dull blades can pull on the grass and uproot new turf that hasn’t had time to establish strong roots.
Fertilizing Your New Lawn
New turf should not be fertilized for at least four to six weeks. Fertilizing too soon can damage your lawn and result in blade growth instead of root growth. In order for new turf to thrive, strong root growth is imperative. Lehigh Lawns & Landscaping will be able to tell you when your lawn is ready for fertilization, as well as the proper amount and mixture of fertilizer for optimal lawn health.