How to properly take care of your new and existing lawn

---

Watering & Mowing Your Newly Installed Lawn

• First week: Water the lawn for 25-35 minutes in the morning and 25-35 minutes in the evening.  Do not cut the lawn this week.  On the last day of the week, water in the morning for 20 minutes and skip the evening watering. 
• Second week: Mow the lawn this week on medium length setting before watering that day.  Use a lawn mower with a sharp blade and cut the lawn in opposite direction to which the sod was installed.  If your mower does not have a bagger for grass clippings, make sure to pick up any clumps of grass clippings.  Water the lawn right after mowing it for 20-30 minutes.   Water once per day this week for 20-30mins morning or evening.
• Third week: Water the lawn every other day for 20-30min. Cut the lawn on medium length. 
• Fourth week: Water every third day for 20-30min.  Cut the lawn on medium length. 
• NOTE - do not fertilize the sod until at least 4-6 weeks has passed, otherwise you can burn and damage the lawn from over fertilizing.  The sod already comes fertilized from the sod farm. 

Notes To Keep In Mind

• Remember to walk lightly on new lawns for 3-4 weeks especially after watering.
• Watering time depends on how hot the day is.  A good way to indicate if you've done enough watering is to lift the sod and make sure the water has gone through the sod and into the ground. 
• After watering your new lawn, lift the sod and make sure the soil underneath is moist.  If the soil is not moist you will need to keep watering.
• If the lawn is still saturated when its time for the next watering, you can skip this watering period.  
• If your lawn is in an area that does not get sunlight all day, make sure not to over water.  You can overwater if the ground is still noticeably very wet before watering again.  
• Any items that are left on the grass for long period of time can start to damage the sod and turn yellow. Be mindful of this when leaving hoses out for too long or yard furniture. 
• Cutting the lawn twice a week on medium length is recommended.  Rake out any excess grass clippings (do not leave it in clumps).
• When mowing the lawn do not remove more then 1/3 of the leaf height. 
• In the fall, make sure to pick up all the leaves off the grass.  Do not leave them on the grass for too long because it can suffocate the grass underneath blocking out sunlight, air, and water.  

Grub Control 

• If your lawn has grubs there is a natural product called nematodes that helps reduce the grub population in your yard.   Grubs eat your lawn in the spring and late summer/fall and the bare spot left behind is a perfect spot for weeds to grow.  Animals such as racoons and skunks will dig holes in your lawn to find and eat the grubs.  This can cause more damage to your lawn.  
• The time to treat for grubs is when soil temperatures do not fall below 10 degrees Celsius or rise above 28 degrees Celsius.   This is generally early spring (April/May) and again late summer/fall (August/Sept).  These are the ideal times to treat for grubs.  
•  Read the bottle or bag on how and when to use nematodes.  It is best to use them when it's raining outside as the water activates the nematodes.  There is a bagged product that you can buy and use in a spreader, or there is a hose attachment product called Nemaglobe that you can also use.  

Fertilizers

• Commence mowing in spring as soon as sod has drained from spring rains and firmed up. (Remember to never remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blade when mowing)
• Fertilizers can help maintain the sod and the root system and provide the proper nutrients to your lawn (helps keep lawn green and healthy).  It is advisable to fertilize your lawn every 5 weeks.  Do not fertilize newly installed lawns until 5 weeks has passed. 
• In Spring (May\June), apply 8 lbs per 1000sq. feet of 16-16-16 fertilizer. 
• In late Spring (June), just before summer heat stress, apply 8 lbs per 1000 sq. feet of 16-16-16 fertilizer
• Mowing must continue through the full season as required, ensuring to never remove more then 1/3 of the leaf blade.
• In early Fall (September), apply 8 lbs per 1000 sq. feet of 16-16-16 fertilizer
• In mid Fall (early October), apply 8 lbs per 1000 sq. feet of 16-16-16 fertilizer
• When using any fertilizers be very careful not to overdo it and make sure to follow the instructions on the label.  Over fertilizing can burn the grass. 

Overseeding

• Rake the lawn to remove debris and thatch. 
• Remove weeds by pulling from root.
• Spread sod seed mixed with soil and lightly rake it into the area, and then roll the area before following the 4 week watering schedule above for new lawns.  
• The temperature needs to be above freezing.  
• Make sure to fertilize first and wait at least a week after fertilizing before you seed.
• Best time to overseed is late April or May and during the last two weeks of August and first two weeks of September.  This is when temperatures are cooler and there is more rainfall.
  

Weed Control

• Some lawn fertilizer products have weed control in them.
• Keep your lawn free of weeds either by hand picking them by pulling from the root,  or by using a weed control spray.   
• Before mowing the lawn it is good practice to check for weeds and remove them by hand when you see them.
• There are also weed control companies that offer this service. 
• When using any weed killer product be very careful not to overdo it and make sure to follow the instructions on the label.