Turf Care
To help establish your new lawn, we have provided some basic care instructions below. For additional information, call us anytime at 614-486-7913. Thanks for choosing Rine Landscape Group!
General Care Instructions
Remember that turf plants are living and require special care. Once we have installed your lawn, you have the responsibility for the continued health and vigor of the lawn. The following general instructions will help you to maintain and enjoy your investment.
Watering
Seeded lawns
Check multiple areas throughout your lawn. The top 1 inch of soil needs to be consistently moist, but not flooded for proper germination. Be sure to check around edges and along hard surfaces regularly, as they tend to dry out faster due to the added heat they release. Water as necessary to keep all areas moist. Once the seed has germinated and reached 3-4 inches tall, monitor the moisture by checking the top 2-3 inches of soil. Typically, every other day works well, but depends on the weather and your specific site conditions. After the lawn has been mowed 3-4 times, watering can be reduced to an as needed basis. This may mean anything from a couple times a week, to none at all.
Sodded lawns
Check multiple areas throughout your lawn. Lift up the corner of a piece of sod, the sod itself and the soil below should be moist, but not over saturated. Be sure to check around edges and along hard surfaces regularly, as they tend to dry out faster due to the added heat they release. Water as necessary to keep all areas moist. Once the sod has rooted in (you will notice it becomes harder to lift up, and many small white hair like roots will be visible), and reached 4-5 inches tall, monitor the moisture by checking the top 2-3 inches of soil. Typically, every other day works well, but depends on the weather and your specific site conditions. After the lawn has been mowed 3-4 times, watering can be reduced to an as needed basis. This may mean anything from a couple times a week, to none at all.
Slow, deep watering is preferred.
Once established, your lawn typically needs about 1 inch of water per week. Less frequent watering helps the turf root deeper into the soil, which gives it the ability to better resist stresses like drought, traffic and pests. Monitoring water requirements frequently is more important than watering frequently. During the hot summer months and early fall, disregard natural rainfall. Often, rain received during these periods produces mostly runoff and contributes little, if any, to increasing ground moisture.
Mowing, Fertilization & Pest Control
Rine Landscape Group recommends a complete turf care program.
Your lawn was fertilized at the time of installation with a starter fertilizer to aid in the establishment of your turf. In order to maintain the health and vigor and prevent pest problems, we recommend you follow a complete fertilization and weed/pest control program. We offer a six application program that includes fertilizers specific for the time of year, and weed/pest controls to prevent and remove problems before they become an issue. If you choose to treat your lawn yourself, be sure to follow the instructions on the label. If you have any questions on specific requirements, please call us. Mow your lawn regularly, and with a sharp blade. A good rule of thumb is to never remove more than 1/3 of the plant, for example – if your lawn is 5 inches tall, do not cut more than 1-2/3 inch. Cutting more than this can shock the plant and the excess grass on the surface makes it difficult for the turf to grow. We recommend mowing your lawn at no less than 3 1⁄4 inches. A taller lawn will stay greener, thicker, and be more resistant to pests and disease.
Other Notes
Be observant of changes in your lawn.
Changes in the growth rate, color, density and overall appearance are often early indicators of potential problems. Potential problems include: over or under watering, dull mower blades, incorrect mowing height, pest/disease issues, improper fertilization or pest control application, traffic/overuse, etc. If you notice a change and have questions, call us!