New Grass Sod Maintenance
From BuildingHomes.ca
Greg Scott, September 8th, 2004
New house? It's great. But just wait until they turn that mud and dirt into a new lawn and make it look like a real neighbourhood instead of a construction zone. Here are some tips I have collected about how to look after new grass.
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[edit] Removal of Large Debris
All the large debris such as chunks of cement, lumber and shingle will be removed by the builder. But don't expect a perfect job. There will be much left over. It gets declared as 'sanitary waste' and may be left behind.
Using a rake, shovel and a wheelbarrow you should be able to remove the majority of it. It is Back breaking work, but do you really want all of this junk stuck underneath your lawn?
Contact your site supervisor and ask if they will pick it up if you leave it on the corner of your driveway.
[edit] Landscaping Starts
You will probably come home one day and notice large piles of dirt on your lot. A landscaping company will start moving the dirt around with a small Bobcat to build up the grade to the required level for your street. Eventually they will have it all smoothed out and ready for laying sod. Also, go out and buy a sprinkler and hose. You will need it shortly.
[edit] Removal of Small Debris
The dirt that is prepared for sod isn't exactly pure dirt. It's full of stones, small rocks, pieces of wood and other pieces of junk. I highly highly recommend removing as much of this as you possibly can with a rake. Why? Because grass roots cannot grow into them, and will prop up the sod so it cannot grow roots into the dirt. The landscaping company will remove some of the larger stones, but in my experience, these usually end up at the edges of your driveway or around the foundation of your house, preventing the grass from growing there.
[edit] Here Comes The Sod
Your sod will be rolled out over a few days. Be prepared! Make sure you have a hose and sprinkler ahead of time.
Water it and then water it some more..
As soon as the sod is on your lot, water it. Pull back the sod from time to time to make sure the water has fully saturated the sod and starting soaking into the dirt below. This is very important. If the dirt below isn't wet, then the roots will not start growing into it. Water daily to make sure the sod stays completely moist and the roots start can grow. Make sure you water the edges along your driveway, sidewalk, street and house foundation as these will dry out the fastest. Water it at least once or twice a day for 2 to 3 weeks.
[edit] Stay off the Grass!
Avoid the temptation to walk on it. It'll be slippery. Not the grass itself, but the sod on the mud underneath.. it will slip, and the section of sod will move and tear away any roots that may have started.
If you live near a public park, people will possibly park their cars right by your curb, get out of their cars and walk on your grass to get around their car. One neighbour came up with a great idea, just park your own car there for a while each night preventing others from parking there and stomping holes in the soft sod.
[edit] Cutting the Grass
It will probably take 2 to 3 weeks before the grass has grown enough that you can start to cut it. When cutting it, set your mower to the highest cutting level possible. Everything I have read says you shouldn't cut more than 1/3rd the length of the blade of grass. Apparently the length of the grass is the same length as the roots.
Mulch your grass, don't bag it. Mulching will chop the grass into fine bits and leave them on the lawn. Grass is mostly water and nitrogen, two very healthy things that your lawn needs, so it acts like it's own fertilizer. Make sure your lawn mower is capable of mulching.
You will probably need to cut it every week. Try to alternate the cutting pattern, such as North/South one week and East/West the next. When you have finished cutting it, water it again.
[edit] Fertilizer?
During the late fall, it is recommended that you throw some fertilizer on the grass to give it something to hold onto into the spring. Personally I have no experience with this, especially with new sod.
[edit] Some things you may need for your new lawn
- Garden hose, long enough to reach from your faucet to the end of your lot
- Lawn Sprinkler
- Water Nozzle/Gun
- Garden Rake
- Shovel
- Wheel barrow, or something else to haul away debris
- A lawn mower
[edit] Reference
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is based on my own personal experience. I am not an expert!
