Planks should be placed on newly laid turf for walking along and working from.  Lightly firm down the turf to ensure good contact between the soil and the underside of each turf. Never use a roller on freshly laid turf. Always push the turf into point.  Never stretch the turf by pulling them.  Any remaining cracks can be filled with a light soil and tamped down.

Water turf as soon as it is laid.  If laying during summer and dry conditions it will need saturating immediately after laying and maintained wet for several weeks (even during wet spells) until established.

Caring for your New Lawn

New turf should be adequately fertilized and protected from pests for at least six months, so the following monthly notes are only a general guide.

January:  Keep off the lawn in very wet or frosty conditions.

February: In milder areas begin the lawn care season by spreading worm casts when they are dry, with a light brush.

March:  Rake the lawn to remove leaves, dead grass etc., but not too hard as this can damage the grass.  If the grass is puffy due to winter frost (if you make footprints when walking on the lawn) lightly roll. The first cut should only take the top off the grass.

Two cuts may be sufficient this month depending on the weather. If moss is a problem, deal with straight away with a proprietary moss killer. Repair/tidy lawn edges with half moon edging iron.

April:  Feed and weed the lawn in warm weather when the grass and weeds are actively growing.  Rake out dead moss and reseed any bare patches.  Cutting will become more frequent this month but don’t cut lower than 1½ inches.  Dig out course grasses and fill holes with sifted soil and course sand (60/40) before turfing or seeding.

May:  Cut at least once a week in May but never lower than 1 inch for ryegrass lawns or ¾ inch for fine lawns. Control weeds with a selected weed killer (following manufacturers recommendations). Water during dry spells.

June:  Cut lawn twice a week. During long dry spells, raise the height of the cut.  Spot treat any stray weeds. Summer feed to replace lost nutrients in clippings. It is good idea to prick the surface before watering.

July:  Carry on cutting the lawn at summer height twice a week. Try to get someone to cut the lawn while you are away on holiday.

August: Keep mowing as for July. August is the last effective month for weed control and high nitrogen summer feed.

September:  Raise height of mower by ¼ inch and decrease the number of cuts. Scarify, spike and top dress the lawn, then overseed if necessary. Winter feed should be applied as the manufacturers recommendations. If any signs of fungus attack, fusarium, red thread, dollar spot, apply fungicide at the manufactures recommended rate. 

October:  Raise the mowing height by another ¼ inch and only mow when needed.  Keep clearing leaves off the lawn.  This is a good month to turf any new or damaged areas.

November:  Give the lawn one final cut if the weather permits.  Keep clearing leaves off the lawn.  Put mower in for annual maintenance.

December:  Brush leaves off lawn. Keep off the lawn if frosty or wet.