Emerald Sod Farms has been growing top-quality turfgrass for 25 years! Our ESF Kentucky Bluegrass Blend is specially adapted to thrive in the climate around Denver and the Rocky Mountain Region, even at elevations as high as 9,000 feet. Call us at 303-654-0202 for advice about watering and mowing your new Emerald Sod Farms lawn.
Conserving Water with Your Turfgrass Lawn
Each of us has a responsibility to conserve water. Watering the entire lawn with the same amount and frequency will result in some areas being over watered and others without enough water. Don’t set your sprinkler clocks and forget them. Adjust your watering to climate conditions and above all exercise good judgment. If you’ve had rain and the temperatures have been cool, you can cut back on watering. If it has been hot and dry and the wind has been blowing, you should water more than your regular schedule. Remember that plants don’t wast water — people do!
Your lawn needs water in winter too — even during the cold winters we experience in the Denver area and the Rocky Mountain Region. Winter watering should be done every 3 to 4 weeks depending on weather conditions. We can harvest sod during the winter when the grass is dormant, but your new sod must receive water during the winter to be able to green up rapidly in the spring. Talk to us about care of your lawn sod if you plan to install turfgrass during the winter. We’ll be happy to provide you with the guidance you need to ensure a successful sod installation!
Mowing Tips for Your New Sod Lawn
Another important fundamental to having an exquisite lawn, besides watering, is proper mowing. Not just the appearance, but of more importance, the general health and vigor of the lawn depends on a good mowing routine. Only a properly adjusted mower with a sharp blade should be used. If you notice a ragged edge on your grass blades after you mow, your blade is not sharp enough.
On new sod we recommend that you set your mower to cut at 3 inches and work it down slowly with later mowings. You might eventually get down to 2 inches or an inch and a half, but we suggest that the inch and a half is as low as you want to go. If you cut your grass shorter than that, you’ll set yourself up for more maintenance to keep your lawn healthy.
You don’t hurt your lawn by mowing it at 2-1/2 inches over the long term. It’s actually better for your grass to have more leaf surface to do what it needs to do, which is osmosis and transpiration and photosynthesis. More leaf area means your lawn can take in carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide and put out more oxygen. We recommend that you pick up your clippings if you don’t mow at frequent intervals with a mulching mower. If you see grass clippings in clumps behind your mower, it’s time to attach the bag to your mower and gather the clippings.
Your first mowing should be after the sod has had time to knit with the soil or is high enough to mow. During rapid growing times it may be necessary to let sod dry enough to permit mowing during the first 10 to 12 days. The first few mowings should be done with a rotary mower, diagonal to the way the sod was laid. Subsequent mowing should be done whenever the grass clippings will measure approximately 1/2" or 25% of the above-ground grass plant. Never cut off more than 33-1/3% of the plant height at any one mowing. Removal of a greater percentage of the plant may result in shock, unsightly appearance or may make your lawn more susceptible to disease.
In addition to watering and mowing, fertilizer application is a fundamental part of lawn care. Fertilizer should be applied as directed (generally on the back of the fertilizer bag) during April to May, June to July, and August to September with a cyclone rotary-type spreader. Sweep all concrete areas that may have been pelleted with fertilizer. Be sure to water thoroughly after each fertilizer application.
For additional information on how to continue to have an exquisite lawn and protect your investment, PLEASE don’t hesitate to call us at Emerald Sod Farms at 303-654-0202. Remember, it took us over a year to grow the best product for you. We want to help you maintain our turfgrass sod in the same healthy state as it was growing on the farm. Let us know how we may help!
Enjoy your new lawn with its many benefits. Take good care of it and it will provide you with many years of pleasure and beauty. If you have any questions about caring for your new Emerald Sod Farms lawn, please call us at 303-654-0202.
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