- Best practices for growing new grass<\/a>
- Water your new grass properly<\/a><\/li>
- Mow your new lawn the right way<\/a><\/li>
- Use the right fertilizer for your new grass<\/a><\/li>
- Prevent weeds from invading your new lawn<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- FAQ about caring for new grass<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
Best practices for growing new grass<\/span><\/h2>
Planting grass seeds is just the first step to getting a lush, green lawn. You have to nurture your new lawn, spending more time and effort on it once the new grass starts growing.<\/p>
So, if you don\u2019t know how to care for new grass, this guide will be a great help to you. Follow these best practices to ensure your grass establishes a strong root system and stays healthy and vibrant for years.<\/p>
Water your new grass properly<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Close-up](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/AdobeStock_87382746-3.jpeg\")
Dusan Kostic<\/a> | Adobe Stock Free | License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> The practice of watering infrequently but deeply doesn\u2019t apply to new grass. Instead, you must follow these tips:<\/p>
- Don\u2019t overwater your new lawn.<\/strong> Most homeowners overestimate the water requirements of their newly planted seeds and end up drowning them.<\/li>
- To keep the top inch of the soil consistently moist<\/strong> but not saturated, mist it with water once per day. If the weather is hot and dry or your soil is sandy, you may have to do it more than once a day.<\/li>
- Continue with this watering technique until your grass grows to around 2 to 3 inches tall<\/strong>, or to the recommended mowing height<\/a> for your grass type.<\/li>
- After mowing your new grass for the first time, cut down on watering frequency from daily to twice every week. The goal is to encourage the root system to grow deeper, so aim for 1 to 1.5 inches of water a week<\/strong>. You should now soak the soil so water can penetrate 6 inches below the ground.<\/li>
- Once your lawn gets established, follow a proper watering approach<\/a> and avoid watering late in the day or early evening. You should water your lawn between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m.<\/strong> to avoid having it evaporate in the heat of the sun or leaving the leaf blades wet overnight<\/a>, which could lead to diseases.<\/li> <\/ol>
Mow your new lawn the right way<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Mowing](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Mowing-in-fall.jpg\")
encierro<\/a> | Adobe Stock Free | License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Don\u2019t be too excited to mow your new grass once it reaches the recommended mowing height. To help you avoid mowing mistakes, the following tips can point you in the right direction:<\/p>
- Wait until the grass is <\/strong>one-third taller<\/strong><\/a> than the recommended mowing height for your grass type<\/strong>. For instance, if the recommendation is 3 inches, you\u2019ll have to wait until it reaches 4 inches before the first mow.<\/li>
- Additionally, avoid mowing your lawn when the soil is soaking wet<\/strong>. Otherwise, the wheels of your lawn mower can leave ruts in its trail.<\/li>
- For a clean cut, don\u2019t forget to sharpen your mower blades<\/strong>. You also should have regular lawn mower service<\/a> and tune-ups to ensure it works properly.<\/li>
- If you planted the new grass through overseeding, you must wait at least two to four weeks before mowing your existing lawn<\/strong>. This way, you can minimize foot traffic on the young grass and let it establish deeper roots.<\/li>
- Avoid mowing wet grass<\/strong>, as it can cause the grass clippings to clump together. These clumps can attract disease and even bog down your lawnmower\u2019s engine.<\/li> <\/ul>
Do you find these tips hard to follow, let alone remember? Why not take the easier route and hire a pro instead? On average, professional lawn mowing costs<\/a> around $35 to $100 per session, depending on the size of the lawn.<\/p>
Use the right fertilizer for your new grass<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Fertilizer](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/05\/Fertilizer-NPK-1.jpg\")
ooddysmile<\/a> | Adobe Stock Free | License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Resist the urge to feed your new turf with loads of organic and inorganic fertilizers<\/a> in one go, as caring for your lawn is not a set-and-forget kind of thing. You\u2019ll need to apply fertilizers a few times a year<\/strong> \u2013 at the right time<\/a>.<\/p>
It may be common knowledge that nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are the most essential macronutrients for lawns. But if you\u2019re fertilizing new grass<\/a>, you must still test your soil to determine the right N-P-K ratio<\/strong> to use.<\/p>
For example, an inorganic fertilizer<\/a> with an N-P-K ratio of 20-0-0 (20% nitrogen, 0% phosphorus, and 0% potassium) may be used for a new lawn with nitrogen deficiency. Also, note that regardless of the nutrients needed by your lawn, your soil\u2019s pH<\/a> must be within the acceptable range of 6 to 6.5 for the fertilizer to be effective.<\/p>
If you\u2019ve applied fertilizer during seeding<\/a>, you must wait six to eight weeks before adding more. But if you missed feeding the grass seedlings, you can use a good starter fertilizer<\/a> to compensate.<\/p>
Even if you have a regular fertilizer to spare, it\u2019s always best to use starter fertilizers for these new sprouts. Similar to quick-release fertilizers<\/a>, starter fertilizers can deliver nutrients quickly without stressing your new grass<\/strong>. They usually contain a healthy dose of phosphorus and quick-release nitrogen essential for grass growth.<\/p>
When in doubt, you can always hire a local lawn care pro to take care of all your fertilization needs. Professional lawn fertilization costs<\/a> anywhere from $0.02 to $0.07 per square foot. But if you\u2019d still rather do it yourself, read up on everything you can about fertilizing your lawn to avoid any mishaps. These guides can help you get started:<\/p>
- 5 Ways to Apply Fertilizer<\/a><\/li>
- Benefits of Lawn Fertilization<\/a><\/li>
- Pet-Friendly Lawn Fertilizer: What to Look For<\/a><\/li>
- Can You Combine Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer?<\/a><\/li>
- Late-Summer Lawn Fertilizer: How It Helps Your Lawn<\/a><\/li>
- Why Do We Have to Be Responsible in Our Use of Fertilizer?<\/a><\/li>
- Slow-Release vs. Quick-Release Fertilizer<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
Prevent weeds from invading your new lawn<\/span><\/h3>
![\"Photo](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/weed-removal-1-1.jpeg\")
Maksim Kostenko<\/a> | Adobe Stock <\/figcaption><\/figure> It\u2019s not uncommon for weeds like chamberbitter<\/a> to outcompete your new grass, but you need to hold off controlling them at this stage. You may be tempted to use herbicides or homemade weed killers<\/a>, especially if the weeds are crowding your green babies. However, doing so could kill your new grass.<\/p>
You\u2019re not at fault if one or more of the most common weeds<\/a> appear on your lawn. It may sound scary and unbelievable, but dormant weeds are always present in the soil<\/strong>.<\/p>
According to Debra Ricigliano, a certified professional horticulturist at the University of Maryland Extension Home and Garden Information Center, these dormant weeds get activated<\/a> and start to grow when they\u2019re exposed to water and sunlight during the tilling of the seedbed.<\/p>
Here are some tips for handling lawn weeds<\/strong>:<\/p>
- Use a weed killer at least one month after the first mow<\/a>. If you\u2019re mowing your lawn on a weekly basis, you should wait until you have mowed four times before applying an herbicide or homemade weed killer.<\/li>
- For persistent weeds, you can opt for hand weeding<\/a> instead. But remember to plan your approach since you must minimize foot traffic as much as possible to avoid stressing and harming the young seedlings.<\/li> <\/ol>
FAQ about caring for new grass<\/span><\/h2>
How long will grass take to grow?<\/span><\/h3>
Grass seedlings usually emerge within 7 to 21 days, but it could take six to nine weeks to have a full lawn<\/strong>. However, other factors may slow down the grass growth, such as temperature and the type of grass seed. So, follow the tips above if you want your grass to grow fast<\/a>.<\/p>
Can I over-fertilize my new grass?<\/span><\/h3>
Yes, even new grass can be susceptible to over-fertilization. Since the young grass is still very vulnerable, excess fertilizer can kill it before or during germination<\/strong>.<\/p>
What happens if I miss a day of watering my new grass?<\/span><\/h3>
If you miss a day of watering and the soil dries out, it could negatively impact growth or even kill the young seedlings. Remember that water is crucial for your new grass, especially during the germination phase.<\/p>
Let the experts handle your new lawn from day one<\/span><\/h2>
Caring for new grass is rewarding but involves numerous tasks to ensure healthy growth. Mistakes can mess up your lawn and lead you back to square one. That\u2019s why it\u2019s best to hire a lawn care pro<\/a> from day one, so you can have the lush lawn you want without stressing you out.<\/p>
\t\t\t\t\t\tSources:<\/strong><\/p> \t\t\t
<\/span><\/div> \t\t<\/div> \t\t\t- https:\/\/www.ndsu.edu\/agriculture\/extension\/extension-topics\/gardening-and-horticulture\/lawn-and-yard\/right-way-water-your-lawn<\/a><\/li>
- https:\/\/extension.umd.edu\/resource\/care-and-maintenance-lawn-after-seeding\/<\/a><\/li> <\/ul> <\/div> \t\t<\/div> <\/div>
Main Photo Credit: Mikhailov Studio<\/a> | Adobe Stock Free | License<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Don\u2019t know how to care for new grass? Here\u2019s a complete guide on proper watering, mowing, fertilizing, and protecting new lawns.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":106,"featured_media":30616,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[126],"tags":[147],"class_list":["post-30612","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lawn-care-tips","tag-lawn-care"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/AdobeStock_488790288-1.jpeg","author_info":{"display_name":"Melanie Joseph","author_link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/melanie-joseph\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30612","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/106"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=30612"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30612\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/30616"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=30612"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=30612"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=30612"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
- https:\/\/extension.umd.edu\/resource\/care-and-maintenance-lawn-after-seeding\/<\/a><\/li> <\/ul> <\/div> \t\t<\/div> <\/div>
- For persistent weeds, you can opt for hand weeding<\/a> instead. But remember to plan your approach since you must minimize foot traffic as much as possible to avoid stressing and harming the young seedlings.<\/li> <\/ol>
- Benefits of Lawn Fertilization<\/a><\/li>
- Additionally, avoid mowing your lawn when the soil is soaking wet<\/strong>. Otherwise, the wheels of your lawn mower can leave ruts in its trail.<\/li>
- To keep the top inch of the soil consistently moist<\/strong> but not saturated, mist it with water once per day. If the weather is hot and dry or your soil is sandy, you may have to do it more than once a day.<\/li>
- Mow your new lawn the right way<\/a><\/li>
- Water your new grass properly<\/a><\/li>