The first few weeks after laying new top turf are crucial and there are a few steps you should take to make sure it settles correctly and goes on to grow healthy and strong.
Here are the best new turf care tips so you can ensure your premium cultivated turf gets off to the best start possible.
Keep off the Grass!
Keep off the grass is not just a spoilsport sign you see in recreational parks, but actually sound advice to protect freshly laid top turf. The new turf needs time to settle and establish its roots, so avoid walking on the new turf as much as possible. Foot traffic damages the leaves, compacts the soil and restricts the movement of the roots, which is the complete opposite of what new turf needs to establish itself.
The leaves of established lawn grass will outgrow damage quite quickly, but with freshly laid turf, the leaves simply aren’t a priority. New turf needs to establish its roots first and foremost and thus will divert most of it energy towards that function, which means damaged leaves will not be tended to as much as they would be in established lawns. This will lead to patches and scars on your lawn from the footfall traffic.
Experts generally advise to avoid walking on freshly laid premium cultivated turf for around three weeks after it is laid. This gives the roots a chance to fully establish themselves so they can spend more energy repairing leaves that get trampled.
Regular Watering
Freshly laid turf needs water and lots of it. As the soil in the turf rolls is new and yet to integrate with the existing soil, a lot of water will run off or drain too quickly and thus not be retained to nourish the grass roots. This means you must water regularly during the first couple of weeks after laying new turf, and for another week or two as well to make sure.
Also remember that those grass roots were severed during the turf harvesting process and will take a little bit of time to re-grow and establish themselves in the existing soil the turf rolls were laid upon. They’re going to need constant watering to do this so make sure you never let the new turf dry out.
Mowing Advice
Once the grass of your top turf starts to grow, you will need to be careful with your mowing to ensure the lawn continues to thrive. The first thing to do is make sure the grass is actually ready to be mowed. If it is not ready, then the mower can rip-up bundles of turf and completely ruin your lovely new lawn. Test the readiness of the turf by grabbing a handful of grass and gently tugging it upwards. If the turf moves as you tug the grass, then it has not yet properly merged with the under soil.
If the turf is firm when you tug the grass, then it ready for the first mow. The first mow should only clip the very tips of the grass, so set your mower blades to the highest setting. Remember to remove all cuttings as well as any other debris such as fallen leaves.
If you require a turf delivery of premium cultivated turf from reliable turf suppliers, then contact Springbridge via our website or call today on 0845 370 1921 for more information about how to arrange a turf delivery.