Your new turf lawn has just been laid and requires some special attention for the first 4 – 6 weeks to ensure it establishes properly. Follow these simple tips and in a couple of months you will have a beautiful, green, healthy lawn for your enjoyment.
1 – 3 weeks
Water, water, water! We cannot stress this enough. The first 3 weeks you must water your lawn well twice daily (unless there has been substantial rain – not just a light shower). Optimum watering times are morning or late afternoon. For the first week or so you will be able to peel back the corner of the turf slab. Use this to determine the watering time (the water needs to reach the ground beneath the new laid turf).
Slight variations in the colour of the leaf during this time is normal until the lawn has established. Do not mow during this time and try to limit traffic.
3 – 4 weeks
Depending on the time of year, the lawn will establish its roots by around 3-4 weeks. Check by lifting a corner of the turf slab. If it doesn’t lift easily, this indicates the roots have taken.
Try to keep of the lawn as much as possible until roots have established. Continue watering twice a week (weather depending).
4 weeks
Once your roots have established you are ready for your first mow. This could be done on a higher setting and gradually lowered with each mow until you are at your preferred blade height. Continue watering twice a week.
6 weeks
The lawn is now due for a fertilise with a quality, slow release fertiliser. Ensure the fertiliser is watered in properly or it will burn the lawn.
Maintenance
Fertilise your lawn every 3 months and water during dry spells. Like any plant, turf will look worse for wear if let dry out too much. During the Winter months, mow on one or two notches higher than you usually do. This allows as much sunlight as possible to reach the plant.
