Experienced Seeded Lawn Care and Maintenance

At Service Specialists Lawn & Landscaping, we know the most important factor in getting a seeded lawn off to a good start is to keep the surface moist until the grass is one inch high, then water once or twice a day until the first mowing. Obviously, rain and cool weather may help you avoid some watering, but sun and wind could dry the seed very quickly. 

An established lawn should be watered once or twice a week with 1" of water when it isn’t raining. Test your sprinkler application rate by placing tin cans on the lawn, turning on the water and noting the length of time it takes to fill the cans with 1" of water. This is the approximate length of time you should water your established lawn every week during dry weather.

Fertilizer will be applied to your lawn, so it won’t need fertilizing again until it is established and has been mowed twice or shows signs of turning yellow-green. New lawns planted in soil recently mixed with organic matter will require more frequent fertilizing the first two years because decomposing matter ties up nitrogen in the soil (then later releases it). 

During the growing season (March through November), it is beneficial to apply a 12 - 4 - 8 fertilizer or one with a 3 - 1 - 2 ratio every four to five weeks to an established lawn. Application of fertilizer in late fall is probably the best time because it stimulates root growth in the dormant months. Remember to also water your lawn well after fertilizing. “Weed and feed” products are not recommended for use on a new lawn until it is 6 months to a year old. Also, be sure to read the manufacturers' directions before application.

Heavy traffic on your newly seeded lawn should also be avoided until it looks lush and green because traffic can leave footprints and depressions in soft, wet soil. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact us for assistance.