Newly laid lawns

To ensure that your new lawn starts it's life in the best possible way, here are a few points to help it on it's way.

In theory, lawns are best laid in autumn or spring but this will not always be possible due to the schedule of gardens being built. Laying turf on red hot days will be avoided at all costs as the turf will dry up and die.

The chances are that the first two to three weeks after your turf has been laid is going to be the most important part of it's life and for that reason it is worth spending a little time with it to ensure it gets the best possible start.

Foot Traffic

Do not be tempted to walk on it. Each time you step on it you will find that depressions will appear which will live with the lawn for the rest of it's life.
If you really have to have access across the lawn, place planks down first. Also, if you have pets, keep them off it too.


Water

It is really important to ensure that the turf does not dry out. When the turf is growing before lifting, it has plenty of roots pushing deep into the soil which will find moisture. Many of these are severed when lifting to you will need to artificially supply water to the shallower roots so they can establish and become longer.

In order to ensure that enough water is supplied to the lawn, a hosepipe is a necessity, unless the lawn is tiny. On the first day, give the lawn a really good, even soaking. On days after this, it will require less, but still needs to be soaked. In warmer periods, water at the coolest times of the day: early morning or evening, this way, less water is lost through evaporation and the grass will not be burnt in summer sun. At cooler times, water can be applied whenever it is easiest for you.

It is worth checking to make sure the water you are sprinkling on the wall is getting through to the soil beneath. This can be done by pushing a long screwdriver into the turf to about 20cm. If the screwdriver goes in easily, water is penetrating (account for a clay soil when doing so however).

Water daily for 2-3 weeks then as necessary, dependant on weather conditions.

Mowing

Leave any mowing of the lawn until the grass reaches approximately 5cm tall. The general rule of thumb is to generally cut no more than a third of the grass blade so set the height of the mower to between 1.8cm and 2.5cm. Do not cut the grass less than 2.5 cm. In order to get the lawn you are aiming for, you need to gradually lower the height of the blades, but generally continuing to use the above rules of thumb.

New lawns are best cut with a rotary mower which needs to be sharp in order to make sure the new turf is not pulled up. It is best to use a grass collector, but if you don't have one, make sure you lightly rake up all the clippings and remove to compost etc.

Once the lawn is established, follow you normal cutting, raking, feeding, routines.