Creating a lush, vibrant lawn begins with proper lawn care for newly aerated and seeded areas. Here's your complete guide to ensure ideal growth and a stunning green landscape.
- Minimize Traffic: Avoid unnecessary foot traffic on freshly seeded areas to protect the delicate seedbed.
- Embrace Soil Plugs: Aerated lawn maintenance is straightforward. Core-aerated lawns will feature soil plugs on the surface. Relax; these will naturally break down over the next 10-14 days and don't require raking.
- Weed Woes: Don't panic if weeds pop up in seeded areas. For effective lawn weed control after seeding, wait until the new grass plants have been mowed twice before tackling them for effective control.
- Matting Leaves: If leaves begin to mat down areas, delicately remove them. A leaf blower is an effective tool for this task.
- Nature's Pace: Understand that nature takes time. Depending on the seed type, germination may range from as short as seven days to as long as a month.
Watering Wisdom
- Strategic Watering: For optimal lawn care after seeding, keep the top inch of soil consistently moist but not soaked until seedlings reach a height of two inches. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to seedling rot. Use short, daily watering sessions during the seeding phase.
- Sprinkler System Tips: Adjust your sprinkler system based on its type. Pop-ups should be set to 1-4 minutes once or twice a day, while rotors and impacts would be 4-15 minutes once or twice a day. During hot periods, consider more frequent watering.
- Gradual Adjustment: As the seedlings become established, reduce watering gradually. You can return to your normal watering schedule once the new seedlings have been mowed twice.
Mowing Mastery
- Patience is Key: Refrain from mowing for 2-3 weeks to allow the seed to establish itself.
- Sharp Blades: When you do mow, use a sharp mower blade to prevent pulling out delicate seedlings.
- Tackling Tall Grass: If areas of the lawn become too tall, mow the grass high to safeguard the new seedlings.
By following these watering and mowing guidelines, you're on the path to cultivating a healthy, vibrant lawn that will be the envy of the neighborhood.
For additional lawn care tips or questions on how to care for a newly seeded lawn, please contact your local NaturaLawn of America office.