Caring for your new lawn

Your care timeline

Exactly what to do from the day your turf goes down through to a lawn that looks after itself.

• First 2 weeks Water daily, ideally in the morning, to keep the root zone moist. Keep foot traffic off it completely if you can, this is when it's most vulnerable.
• Weeks 3 to 4 Cut back to watering every second day. Some slight yellowing at the joins or corners is normal at this stage and will green up as it knits together.
• First mow, around week 4 Before mowing, gently try to lift a corner of turf, if it resists and won't lift, the roots have taken. Mow higher than your usual height for the first cut or two, then gradually lower it over the next couple of mows.
• Weeks 4 to 6 Keep watering twice a week while it finishes establishing, and keep mowing regularly now that roots have anchored.
• Week 6: first feed Apply a balanced fertiliser once establishment is complete, then water it in thoroughly.
• Ongoing Mow at the height suited to your variety, fertilise every 8 to 10 weeks through the growing season, and water deeply and less often to encourage deep roots rather than shallow ones.
• Through winter Warm-season lawns slow right down over the cooler months. Ease off mowing and watering, most varieties need very little input until things warm up again.