Lawn care guide

Initial aftercare for newly laid turf

Watering

• Start immediately: Begin watering as soon as you can or get the keys to your new home.
• Frequency: Water twice daily (early morning and late afternoon) for the first 2 weeks.
• Cold conditions: Below 10°C, reduce frequency but monitor for signs of drying shrinking edges signal the need to water.

 Avoid overwatering, especially if the ground already retains moisture.

 Walking on turf

• Avoid traffic: Stay off the lawn for at least 2–3 weeks.
• Soft ground: Do not walk on wet or soft turf—this can cause 
  footprints and uneven mowing.
• Tread carefully: Use boards to distribute weight and prevent indentations.

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Mowing guidelines

First mow

After 2–3 weeks, once the turf is established.

Initial height

Cut to approximately 75mm on the first mow.

Subsequent mowing

• Gradually lower to 25-30mm in normal seasons.
• Mow once per week, increasing frequency in summer if needed
• Raise blade height in dry, hot periods to prevent drying

 Use a mower with a grass collector. Raking cuttings may damage the turf.

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Seasonal lawn care tips

After the initial 3 week period

 Spring

• Start mowing at 40mm
• Feed after or before rain
• Top-dress with a 50/50 mix of sharp sand and top soil
• Begin moss prevention

 Summer

• Gradually reduce mowing height
• Water at least once a week
• Control weeds with a specialist tool or weed killer
• Repair bare patches by reseeding and watering.

 Autumn

• Scarify (remove old vegetation and moss)
• Aerate every 2–3 years (spike 10–15cm deep)
• Feed to encourage root growth
• Raise mowing height to 40mm and reduce frequency.

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Common lawn issues

Fusarium

Appears in humid/damp conditions, causing brown patches. Often resolves in warmer months.

Red thread

Caused by low nitrogen, results in light red dying areas. Remedy with feeding.

Toadstools

Temporary fungi caused by decomposing turf roots; harmless and will disappear naturally.

Waterlogging

Expected after a heavy rainfall and should disappear within 24 hours assisted with regular aeration.

Leatherjackets

Caused by, Poor lawn maintenance, such as over watering or over-fertilising. Remedy by encouraging natural predators, using biological controls like nematodes, and improving soil conditions. 

Scarifying, aerating, and over seeding can also help repair damage.

Damage from pets

Dog urine can cause the grass to burn due to high levels of nitrogen while dog faeces can cause ‘fertilizer burn’ due to an overload of nutrients. To help prevent both, ensure you are clearing pet waste promptly and rinsing any urine spots.

Settling

Newly laid turf can settle as the soil compacts which can cause slight gaps and small areas that sink a little. To fill small gaps and to help even any sunken areas, use a light topsoil and top with grass seed.

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