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WATERING Incorrect watering is the most common mistake made while
establishing a lawn. Newly installed sod should be kept well watered for a
period of 10 days to 2 weeks. This is the most critical period in the life
of you: lawn. Water several times a day increasing frequency for extremely
hot or windy weather.
After your sod is rooted less frequent watering will be required.
However, remember to gauge your schedule to the weather. A thorough
irrigation every 5 to 7 days for one hour or until runoff appears is
sufficient to most situations. Your goal is to achieve water penetration to
a depth of 8' 12". This will encourage deep rooting and a healthier
lawn. Short frequent waterings on established sod creates a shallow root
system and susceptibility to insect and disease problems. Verify the depth
of watering by probing soil with a screwdriver or sharp instrument. If the
screwdriver enters the soil easily to a depth of 6" 8" you have
achieved proper moisture penetration
MOWING Tifgreen should be mowed at 1 inch to ½ inch every 5 to
7
days in the growing season. This will prevent a rapid thatch build up and
provide a putting green appearance. A sharp power reel mower provides the
best results Hand mowers and rotary mowers usually cannot be adjusted to the
recommended Heights
If a weekly mowing is skipped, be sure to compensate on the next mowing
by scalping back the extra growth. The lawn will green up in a week or so.
Closely mowed lawns will resist disease and insect infestations common to
thatchy lawns. Clipping removal recommended for a healthy lawn.
FERTILIZING The pre-plant fertilizer put down before you
installed your sod will take care of the fertilizer requirements for the
first month. Maintenance fertilizer should then be used with subsequent
applications monthly during the growing season. Follow label instructions on
all fertilizers used. Each Spring when your lawn recovers from dormancy your
regular fertilizer program should begin. Avoid fertilizer burn by thoroughly
watering fertilizer particles off the leaf blades and well into the soil
area
DORMANCY Prolonged color can
best be achieved by maintaining a healthy lawn throughout the year. However
during the winter months when temperatures drop below 40° (generally
December through March) Tifgreen will slow it. growth rate and lose its
color. During this period fertilizing and mowing are not necessary. (Tifgreen sod is sold and installed anytime of the year.)
WINTER
COLOR- can be restored by the same method major turf growers use by the
application of WinterGreen turf dye. Turf dye
is growing in popularity for home lawns as well because it saves money by
providing a virtually carefree winter lawn. Overseeding
with an perennial grass is a practice also commonly used but this method
requires regular maintenance.
Old river sod offers sod quality ryegrass for overseeding.
HOW
TO OVERSEED
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Provide any information with no obligation
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