Caring for your tall fescue lawn after overseeding is crucial to ensure the success of the new grass and the overall health of your lawn. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to care for your lawn properly:
Watering: Proper watering is essential for the germination and establishment of the new grass seeds. Water the lawn immediately after overseeding to ensure the seed makes good contact with the soil. Keep the soil consistently moist until the new grass is well-established. This typically takes watering twice per day for 5-7 minutes in the morning and 5-7 minutes in the afternoon. Adjust watering times as needed with changes in temperatures and weather to maintain moist soil. Continue this watering schedule for 3-4 weeks until the turf is well established. Once established, water the lawn deeply and less frequently to encourage deep root growth. This is typically completed by 10-15 minutes of irrigation every other day before the sun rises.
Mowing: Once the new grass reaches a height of 4 - 4.5 inches, it's time to mow. Set your mower to a height of around 3 - 3.5 inches. Never remove more than one-third of the grass height in a single mowing session, as this can stress the plant. Regular mowing will help the new grass thicken and promote healthy growth. It is best to utilize a push mower on newly established grass for the first two to three cuts.
Fertilizing: After overseeding, your lawn will benefit from a balanced fertilizer with a higher ratio of nitrogen to promote grass growth. Wait until the new grass has been mowed two times before applying fertilizer. Our lawn treatment programs include fall fertilizer and weed control.
Weed Control: It's essential to keep weeds at bay to give your new grass the best chance to establish itself. Weed control can be applied once the turf has been cut twice or enters winter dormancy. Our lawn treatment programs provide a weed control treatment late in the fall.
Aeration: You may notice many plugs all over your lawn upon the completion of aeration. The plugs will naturally dissolve into the lawn through watering and regular mowing. The voids that are left after these plugs are pulled from your lawn are beneficial for root development and water absorption allowing for your lawn's roots to grow deep into the soil.
Overseeding: The overseeded areas may initially seem sparse when establishing a new lawn. As the new grass matures, it should fill in these areas as the plant begins to tiller and grow in size. Continue to water and care for the entire lawn evenly to encourage uniform growth. We leave a small bag of seed with you after your reseed. This seed can be applied to fill in bare areas after the initial seed has germinated.
Avoid Heavy Use: Try to limit heavy use of your lawn for the first few weeks after overseeding. Avoid activities like playing sports or having large gatherings that may stress the new grass.
Monitor and Adjust: Keep an eye on your lawn's progress and make adjustments as needed. If you notice any issues like uneven growth, pests, or diseases, address them promptly.
If you have any questions, we are always here to help. Shoot us an email at sales@sorensenoutdoor.com or give us a call at 540-845-6203.
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