Taking Care of Newly Seeded Lawns
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Congratulations, your lawn as been aerated and over-seeded to improve lawn density. A successful catch and the establishment of your new lawn is greatly dependant on what you do over the next 6 to 8 weeks. New seedlings will emerge in 7 days to 3 weeks time. You may begin mowing any damaged areas again in about 2 to 3 weeks.
The importance of proper watering CANNOT BE STRESSED ENOUGH! The seeds need water to sprout (seedlings). The seedlings must have water to survive (grass plants); and the maturing grass plants need water to develop.
WATERING INSTRUCTIONS
Water each day for 20-30 minutes until seedlings have emerged (2 to 3 weeks). The seed and seedbed must be kept moist for the seed to sprout. If the temperatures are in the 80's, you should water twice each day - morning and afternoon.
Rain from the heavens can count as 1 watering, BUT cannot be relied upon. You must be diligent about your watering during the first phase of your lawn re-establishment!
After the seedlings have emerged, (about 3 weeks) water for about 30 minutes every other day to develop deeper root growth. Continue this watering regime for the next 3 to 6 weeks. Some grasses emerge sooner than others do. So when you begin to see green "fuzz" DO NOT STOP your watering regimen, OR you will LOSE your slow sprouting grasses.
MOWING: Mow at 2 - 2-1/2 inch height as soon as seedlings are 3 - 3-1/2 inches (about 2 to 3 weeks, if watering). Mowing frequently (every 3 to 4 days) will help new seedlings "harden-off" and reduce weed competition. After 3 weeks, raise the mowing height to 3 inches and mow when the grass is 4-1/2 inches high. Keep mower blade(s) sharp and clean. You do not have to catch the clippings; they will act as mulch.
WEEDS: Weed control should not be applied to the damaged areas of your lawn until it has been mown 3 or 4 times at a 3 inch height (about 8 weeks out).
STARTER FERTILIZER: will be applied to help with emergence and establishment of your new lawn. A second feeding with starter should be made in about 4 to 6 weeks.
PATCH OR SCRATCH SEEDING: Some areas may not catch and sprout adequately, these areas can be roughed up with a garden (bow) rake and seeded by hand with the same seed used for the rest of the lawn. Follow the newly seeded lawn regime for these areas until they catch up with the rest. Larger areas that do not catch seed and sprout may have to be double aerated and overseeded to repair them. Give us a call and we will drop off a couple of pounds of seed for scratch seeding.
TIMING: Seeding after October 1st is questionable and in our experience poor results are obtained. Seeding can begin when the soil temperature goes above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, next Spring.
FOLLOW-UP CARE: Once your new lawn is established, it will prosper well with our 6-step lawn care program of dry, slow-release fertilizers and liquid weed control. Leisure Lawn will feed your lawn from the roots up and keep the weeds under control. We (you, the lawn owner and us Leisure Lawn) work with nature to help your lawn become thick and green and weed free.
GUARANTEES: Aeration and over-seeding is an economical way to improve the density of your lawn. The success of this over-seeding is dependent upon your diligence in caring for your lawn. You are the guarantee of a successful emergence. Reseedings will be charged at normal rates.