Caring for Your Newly Seeded or Sodded Lawn
At Vosters Landscaping, we use only the highest quality materials and take great care when installing your lawn. But after installation, the most important part is up to you! Proper care during those first few weeks makes all the difference between a thriving, healthy lawn and one that struggles to take hold.
Whether you’ve just had your lawn seeded or sodded, here’s what you need to know to protect your investment and grow the beautiful yard you’ve been dreaming of:
Caring for Your Newly Seeded Lawn
A newly seeded lawn requires daily attention, especially during the critical first month. Follow these steps to give your grass the best chance to grow:
Watering
💧 Begin watering immediately after seeding.
💧 For the first 45 days, light, frequent sprinkling is key to keeping the soil consistently damp.
This may mean watering 2-3 times per day, particularly if it's warm and windy.
A good example schedule: 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 5:00 PM.
💧 Late afternoon watering helps minimize evaporation loss.
💧 As the grass begins to grow, you can gradually reduce watering to once daily and increase the amount of water each time.
💧 Once established, your lawn needs approximately 1 inch of water per week.
Mowing
🟢 When the grass reaches 3-4 inches tall (around 3-4 weeks), it’s ready for its first mowing.
🟢 Mow at a height of 2-2½ inches with sharp blades.
🟢 After the first mow, raise the mower to 2½-3 inches and continue regular mowing. There’s no need to bag clippings after the first cut—let them return nutrients to the soil!
Ongoing Care
🌱 After 3-4 weeks, apply a slow-release Turf Builder fertilizer to encourage healthy growth.
🌱 Hold off on using Weed & Feed or liquid weed killers until your lawn has been mowed at least six times.
🌱 Avoid applying crabgrass preventer during your lawn’s first year.
🌱 Don’t dethatch or core aerate a new lawn until it is at least one year old.
Caring for Your Newly Sodded Lawn
Sod gives you an instant lawn, but it still requires careful attention to take root and stay healthy.
Watering
💧 Water immediately after installation—your sod should be thoroughly saturated.
💧 For the first two weeks, water frequently to keep the sod moist and help the roots establish. This may mean twice a day, depending on weather conditions.
💧 Once the grass reaches 3-4 inches tall, stop watering for about two days to let the ground dry slightly before mowing.
Mowing
🟢 Mow when dry, setting the mower at 2 inches high.
🟢 After mowing, resume daily watering as needed.
Fertilizing
🌱 Apply Turf Builder fertilizer approximately 6 weeks after sod installation. Follow your regular lawn care program from there.
Need Help? We’re Here for You!
Please note that Vosters Landscaping does not perform routine check-ins on newly installed lawns, so if you ever have questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to give us a call or send us an email. We want you to love your lawn and get the best results possible.
Growing a healthy lawn takes care, consistency, and patience—and maybe a little help from the weather. Good luck, and as we like to say, pray for rain!