GERMINATION

Many factors affect germination. Cool-weather delays sprouting, lack of moisture prevents sprouting, and over-watering and high temperature can induce disease. Proper care and maintenance are essential to the establishment of a healthy lawn. Your lawn will germinate, mature, and become established over an 8-week period. Here is an idea of how a lawn should progress:

1st and 2nd weeksa few seedlings (mostly ryegrass) begin to appear.
3rd and 4th weeksbluegrasses germinate and begin to grow.
5th and 6th weeksall grasses should have germinated and begun to thicken.
7th and 8th weeksgrasses fill in and are established.

NOTE: AVOID WALKING ON THE LAWN UNTIL IT IS WELL-ESTABLISHED.

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WATERING

Watering is a key factor in establishing your lawn. The seeded area should be kept moist, but not wet. Water the area until slight puddling occurs. This will help develop a deep strong root system. Watering frequency should be systematically reduced over several weeks time so the roots can strengthen and adapt to more normal conditions. A good rule of thumb is to add 1 inch of water per week. Frequency also depends on the weather, soil type, seed type, and rainfall. Be cautious not to overwater your lawn (large puddles in the lawn,) or underwater (dried out, cracking, brown turf).
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LAWN MAINTENANCE

As your lawn fills in and becomes established, it will need regular care. When the grass is about 2 inches tall, begin to mow weekly. Raise mower to standard cutting height when the lawn is established—2.5 inches is a good height during spring and fall. 3 inches is best in the hot summer months. Weed control is best achieved with a combination of herbicides and hand removal. Fertilization can take place after the first cutting at one-half the manufacturer’s suggested rate for established turf. The following year you may fertilize at the recommended rate.
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