Because soil is the main foundation of newly planted grass and it contains organisms that the grass will draw nutrients from, the first criteria of lawn care is to have high quality soil. It must be rich in fertilizer and lime, both of which should be applied at least 2 – 4 inches into the soil to have maximum effect.
It’s also very important to prepare the soil before planting grass seeds because it can take from 8 – 12 weeks for the lime to raise the pH level of the soil to create an alkaline environment that encourages growth.
Water
Water is a vital element of new lawn care. Frequent, light watering will enable the seeds to germinate and encourage the grass to grow and spread. When the grass starts growing, it’s important to water deep into the soil at intermittent periods. At this stage, hand-watering is recommended.
Never let the soil become completely drenched or completely dry. Most newly planted lawns need 1 – 2 inches of water every week. The ideal times of the day for watering are early morning and late afternoon.
Sunlight
The average new lawn requires at least 4 hours of sunlight a day. This will vary according to the type of grass – some species need less sunlight and actually thrive in shade.
Mowing
This too is an integral component of lawn care for newly planted grass. When the grass reaches cutting height, mow it. Keep the area free of traffic to encourage the lawn to spread.