How do you water a newly laid lawn?
Watering is the single most important factor in new turf survival. Water the turf thoroughly immediately after laying, soaking it until the soil beneath is wet to a depth of at least 50 millimetres. For the first two weeks, water every day in dry weather and every other day in cool or overcast conditions. Early morning is the best time to water, as it gives the turf all day to absorb moisture before evening temperatures drop. Each watering session should deliver approximately 25 millimetres of water. To check this, place a straight-sided container on the lawn and measure the depth of water collected. After two weeks, reduce watering to every two to three days. After four weeks, the turf should be rooting into the soil below and you can transition to a normal watering schedule, which for most UK lawns means relying on rainfall alone.
When can you first mow new turf?
Wait until the new turf has rooted before mowing for the first time. This typically takes two to three weeks in good growing conditions. Test by gently tugging a corner of the turf. If it resists and does not lift, the roots have anchored into the soil and it is safe to mow. Set the mower to its highest cutting height for the first two or three cuts, removing no more than a third of the grass blade. Gradually lower the cutting height over subsequent mows to reach your target height, typically 30 to 35 millimetres for a utility lawn. Use a mower with a sharp blade to avoid tearing the young grass, which is more susceptible to damage than established turf. Avoid using a heavy roller mower for the first month, as the weight can compress the soft soil beneath and create ruts.
When should you feed a new lawn?
Do not feed new turf for the first six weeks after laying. The turf has been grown on a nutrient-rich turf farm and carries enough feed to sustain it through the establishment period. Feeding too early pushes top growth at the expense of root development, which is the opposite of what you want during establishment. After six weeks, apply a general-purpose lawn fertiliser at half the recommended rate. If the turf was laid in autumn, use an autumn feed high in potassium rather than a nitrogen-heavy spring feed. If laid in spring, a balanced feed with moderate nitrogen is appropriate. From the second season onwards, follow a standard three-feed programme: spring, summer, and autumn. ELawnCare includes aftercare guidance with every turfing job and can schedule follow-up feeding visits as part of an ongoing lawn care plan.
What mistakes should you avoid with a new lawn?
The most common mistake is underwatering in the first two weeks. New turf dries out rapidly in warm weather and can die within 48 hours if the soil beneath it dries completely. The second mistake is allowing heavy foot traffic too soon. Keep children, pets, and garden furniture off the new lawn for at least three weeks, and restrict use to light walking for another three weeks after that. Mowing too soon or too low damages young grass that has not yet established a strong root system. Using weedkiller on new turf is another frequent error. Wait at least six months before applying any selective herbicide, as the young grass is vulnerable to chemical damage. Finally, avoid leaving the turf rolls stacked for more than 24 hours before laying, as they heat up internally and the grass begins to die. Lay on the same day as delivery whenever possible.