Help and Advice

Aftercare: Hints & Tips

1. FERTILISING

If you applied a pre-turfing fertiliser during preparation prior to laying, your turf will have received sufficient fertiliser necessary to maintain healthy growth for at least two months after harvesting. When applying chemical nutrients, great care should be taken and the manufacturer's recommendations must be followed to the letter. Over application of any chemical treatment can cause the plants to die. Simplicity is the key. Grass plants need a nitrogen rich fertiliser during the spring/summer growing season and phosphorus to encourage root growth during late autumn. Fertiliser should be applied every eight to ten weeks throughout the growing season. A healthy lawn that receives adequate nutrients applied at the correct time of year is able to fight off weed infestation and disease.

2. MOWING

After seven to ten days of laying turf in spring and summer, the grass should be well enough established to commence mowing. A good way to check is to turn back a corner of the turf. If it is well anchored by roots it is alright to start mowing. For the first cut, make sure that the mower is set at a height to just top the grass. A good rule of thumb is to never remove more than 25% of the total plant. This prevents stress to the plant and if not using a grass box, will reduce the quantity of unsightly and damaging clippings. For the best results mow at least twice weekly during the late spring, once a week during summer (if dry) and early autumn and approximately every ten days, mid to late autumn. Obviously this must be flexible to suit our varied weather conditions. Make sure your mower is maintained and sharp; mowers can damage the grass if not properly maintained.

3. LAYING TURF IN SUMMER

Establishing a lawn from turf in summer will be easy and successful if you follow these simple basic rules.

Order the turf to arrive on the day you intend to lay it! The turf must be unrolled and watered. Never water while the turf is still rolled.
Start watering the turf as soon as laying commences. This should be done even if it has rained within the last twelve hours. If you are experiencing a hose pipe ban we recommend you incorporate some water retaining gel into the prepared soil and use a watering can (if you are in an area prone to droughts maybe you may be worth investing in a water butt), otherwise use a sprinkler.
Continue watering morning and evening until the turf is well rooted. REMEMBER one hours watering as soon as the turf is laid is worth seven hours later on.
Pay particular attention to the edges of the turves when watering as these are the areas most prone to drying out. Ensure that the applied water is filtering through to the turf to the soil below. It must reach the root zone of the turf to be effective.
Constantly check that there is good root to soil contact to allow simultaneous rooting of the turf. If necessary, lightly roll the area or compress it by even distribution of a scaffold plank.
Do not flood the lawn when watering. Over-watering can consolidate the base soil making it difficult for the young and tender roots to gain purchase. It will also diminish the 'soil air pockets' that are essential for good root establishment.

It you observe the above recommendations then you will have no problems establishing a healthy lawn even in the hottest weather.

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