When and how do I mow my newly-seeded lawn?

• Allow your grass to grow to about 4-5” tall before mowing for the first time. When mowing for the first time, make sure the soil is relatively dry. (Try not to mow within 24 hours of a heavy rain or watering.) If possible, use a push mower for the first few times mowing rather than a riding lawn mower to minimize any damage to the soil and new grass. It is important not to mow your new grass too short – 3” is a good height to shoot for. As a general rule of thumb, you should be removing about 1/3 of the total height when you mow. Remember your new grass will be a bit delicate the first and maybe even the second season. Call your lawn care professional for more tips on how to care for your new lawn.

Do I need to fertilize my newly-seeded lawn?

• Newly seeded lawns can easily be damaged by improper chemical use. We recommend waiting at least 4-6 weeks before applying any chemicals including fertilizer, herbicides or insecticides. Chemical treatment recommendations for lawns vary depending on environmental conditions and your own personal preferences. Timing, selection and application methods are all critical when fertilizing or treating your lawn. We highly recommend contacting a professional lawn care service immediately after your grass is installed to request a personalized consult for your new lawn.

How much should I water my new lawn?

• Whether you chose seed or sod for your new lawn areas, watering is the single most important thing to consider for a successful lawn. You will need to make sure the lawn is getting enough water, but not too much! Irrigation systems can be a huge help in this! With or without an irrigation system, here are a few guidelines to keep in mind.

  SEED

  • Morning watering is best. Avoid evening/night watering.
  • Use less water, more often during the first two weeks.
  • Water more deeply, less frequently in the third and fourth weeks.
  • The top .25” of soil must be constantly moist for the first 2 weeks.
  • Water at least twice daily for the first 2 weeks (morning and afternoon is best) to ensure soil stays constantly moist. (Start with about 20 minutes with a sprinkler each time and adjust as needed. You may need to water more often in hot, dry weather or full sun locations).
  • Water deeply once or twice/week (1” total) for the third and fourth weeks.
  • Begin regular watering practices after the fourth week. Watering should equal about 1”/week including rainfall. Adjust according to weather.
  • Puddles should not be allowed to form on a newly-seeded lawn, as it can lead to rot or disease.
  • Ask for our “Watering Tips” for more info.

  SOD

  • Morning watering is best. Avoid evening/night watering.
  • Water heavily immediately following installation. The sod should be soaked, and the soil below the sod should be moist to a depth of 3-4”. Check moisture depth by using a stake or screwdriver.
  • During initial soaking, intermittent watering is best to ensure water has a chance to soak in and does not run off. Allow sprinklers to run until you notice pooling or runoff. If soil below is not moist to a depth of 3-4”, wait 30 minutes and water again.
  • Make sure you are watering all areas of the new sod installation, and pay close attention to edges and corners as they are often missed and can dry out faster than other areas.
  • Sod near buildings or dark paved areas can dry out more quickly due to reflected heat and may need additional watering.
  • After initial soaking, be sure all turf areas are getting about 1” of water/week including rainfall.

How much should I water my new trees and shrubs?

• Trees, shrubs and perennials will need daily watering for the first 2 weeks following installation, and about 1” of water/week after that. Morning is the best time for watering, and evening and night should be avoided. During the first week, it is best to water twice per day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. A good rule of thumb if watering with sprinklers is about 20 minutes twice/day for the first week, 40 minutes once/day for the second week, and as needed after that to reach 1” of water/week including rainfall. Check on your plants weekly throughout the first growing season. If you notice wilting or drying out, your plants probably need more water. Rain gauges are extremely useful when monitoring your new plants. Check your local weekly precipitation or your rain gauge at the end of each week and give your plants extra water if you got less than 1” of rain that week.

Can I shovel/salt my new patio or walkway?

• Whether your new patio or walkway is natural stone, brick or a concrete paver product, care should be taken when removing snow. Use plastic shovels rather than metal to prevent chipping your new patio or walkway. Avoid using salt if possible. If salting is necessary, use calcium based products. Do not use magnesium based products. Always use de-icing products sparingly.

What is the difference between LED and Halogen outdoor lights?

• We highly recommend using LED fixtures for your outdoor lighting needs. Compared to halogen lights, LED lights are generally smaller, more energy efficient, longer lasting, and brighter. They do tend to cost a bit more upfront, but with the longer life and lower energy use, they will almost always save money in the long run.