Recommendations for the Care and Maintenance of your Newly Seeded Lawn WATERING Proper watering is essential in establishing a newly seeded lawn. Keep the soil uniformly moist with waterings of ¼" to ½" daily for three weeks or until the grass is about 2" to 3" in height. During very hot or windy days several waterings may be required within a 24 hour period to maintain adequate soil moisture. To minimize settling, indentations in the grade or foot imprints, start watering at the far end of the yard and gently pull the hose back towards the water source. Water sloped areas very lightly and more frequently to prevent washouts and erosion. After three weeks, decrease watering to two or three times a week or the equivalent of 1" to 1½" of rainfall a week. (Measure water applied by setting a coffee can or similar container within the sprinkler area for a set period of time to determine the time needed to evenly apply 1" to 1½" of water.) Keep soil types and variable weather conditions in mind and adjust watering accordingly. Do not apply water faster than the soil can absorb it or washouts may occur. To correct washouts, fill each gully with topsoil and reseed. Treat the area again as a newly seeded lawn. MOWING Begin mowing only after the sod has become established or approximat.ely 2-3 weeks after installation. At this time the lawn should be about 3-5" in height. Be sure the area is dry before mowing to insure that the surface is firm enough to walk on without leaving foot imprints. Use a lightweight rotary mower and cut to a height of 2½-3". Remove only visible grass clippings. Water the lawn after mowing to restore the moisture level. Then mow every week to ten days, never removing more than 1/3 of the grass. WEED CONTROL It is difficult to prevent weeds from developing in your newly sodded lawn, but weeds can be controlled after the lawn is fully established. Do not apply any herbicide to a newly seeded lawn until it has been mowed four times or approximately 8 weeks after the installation. The best broadleaf weed control can be achieved if you use only a liquid formula herbicide. Allow one full growing season before applying granular pre-emergent herbicide for crabgrass control. Follow the label directions and apply in the spring at the recommended rates . Restrict foot traffic and other activities for 3-4 mowings to minimize soil compaction and any unevenness in the surface. FERTILIZING Apply fertilizer to newly sodded lawns 4 to 6 weeks after installation using a blended fertilizer of 20-2-7 or the equivalent. Apply fertilizer to an established sodded lawn three times a year to aid in root development and to promote a healthy turf. Use a complete lawn fertilizer at the following times and rates to provide the sufficient nutrients without burning the turf. May 15 - June 15 One pound of nitrogen ( 5 lbs. of total fertilizer) per each 1000 square feet (20-2-7 or equivalent) or one pound of nitrogen (3.5 lbs. total fertilizer) per each 1000 square feet (30-0-15 or equivalent) August 15 - September 15 One pound of nitrogen (or 5 lbs. total fertilizer) per each 1000 square feet (20-2-7 or the equivalent) Early November One pound of nitrogen (3.5 lbs. total fertilizer) per each 1000 square feet (30-0-15 or equivalent Please feel free to contact Stano Landscaping, Inc. at 414-358-1800 with any of your landscape questions or concerns.