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SPECIALIZING IN PREMIUM QUALITY
TURFGRASS, GRASS SEED, AND GRASS PLUGS
Maintenance for New and Established Lawns
General Care Guidelines for New Lawns:
Immediately After Installation:
• As soon as your sod is installed, thoroughly water the sod. To ensure you have watered enough, lift the sod to see that the water has soaked through and saturated the soil under the sod. Repeat your watering cycle if needed. This first watering is the most crucial and will prevent problems later.
• Be sure your sprinklers are adjusted to provide even coverage.
• Many times the area between the sprinkler and its outside radius will not receive an equal amount of water due to an improper adjustment. This will result in damage to the sod in this area. To avoid problems, check and recheck your coverage!
• To avoid causing indentations or air pockets, don't repeatedly walk or kneel on the new turf just after watering. It is not necessary to roll the new sod unless the grade underneath the sod is very uneven and lumpy.
Watering:
Keep the sod saturated for two weeks. This may take as many as 4 or more waterings per day or as little as one per day, depending on the weather. Be certain that your new lawn has enough moisture to survive hot, dry or windy periods. Water areas near buildings more often where reflected heat dries the turf. If you see signs of stress, it is most likely due to the lack of water. Increase water in the area, but do not allow water to form puddles. Gradually start to reduce watering 2 weeks after installation and then refer to the general guidelines below.
Note: Buffalograss sod will go through a stress immediately after installation. It will turn brown for 4 to 6 weeks before it starts to green up again. During this stress period, the buffalograss sod will still need to be heavily watered. Please see Maintenance for New Buffalograss lawns.
Fertilization:
It is recommended to apply a starter fertilizer upon sod installation to speed up establishment. If your sod was installed before August 15th, a slow release fertilizer with pre-emergent should also be applied 4 weeks after installation on top of the new sod to prevent crabgrass from germinating in the ground underneath the sod. Avoid using anything containing the product Balan on new sod.
Note: Pre-emergent should always be applied with newly sodded buffalograss.
Mowing:
Your new lawn can be mowed once the grass has knitted to the ground. This usually takes about 2 - 3 weeks. Make sure your mower is set high enough, so you do not scalp the grass. Never cut off more than 1/3 of the height of the grass at once.
Note: We recommended trying to avoid regular foot traffic for approximately 4 to 6 weeks.
Your lawn should become established in approximately 4 to 6 weeks!!
Once your new lawn has become established, please follow information below!!
General Care Guidelines for Established Lawns:
*Please visit Established Buffalograss Maintenance for buffalograss lawns
Mowing:
The settings below are appropriate in the spring and fall. In June, July and August, raise the mowing height one inch to cool the turf plant and reduce stress, except buffalograss which can remain at the low mowing height.
Fertilization:
In early spring a combination product that contains pre-emergent weed control should be applied to prevent weeds from emerging in your yard. Three more fertilization applications are recommended throughout the rest of the year. Be sure to follow label directions. Please follow chart below for approximate dates for applying fertilizer.
Watering:
The best time to water is early morning, so less water is lost by evaporation. The worst time to water is in the evening because the lawn stays wet all night, which encourages disease development. Lawns watered too frequently tend to develop shallow root systems which may make them more susceptible to grub damage and heat/drought stress. Note: Additional watering may be needed during hot, dry summers.
Please email info@toddvalleyfarms.com or call us at 800-869-8544 with any other questions or concerns you may have.
WE HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR NEW LAWN FROM TODD VALLEY FARMS!!
Grass Species
Kentucky Bluegrass
Turf-Type Tall Fescue
RTF® Tall Fescue
Turf-Type Buffalograss
Zoysia
Amount and Frequency
1/2 to 3/4 inch twicer per week
1 1/2 to 2 inches every other week
1 1/2 to 2 inches every other week
Only if plant shows stress
1 inch every other week
Grass Species
Kentucky Bluegrass
Turf-Type Tall Fescue
RTF® Tall Fescue
Turf-Type Buffalograss
Zoysia
Mower Setting in Spring/Fall
2 inches
2 1/2 inches
2 to 2 1/2 inches
2 to 3 inches
2 inches
Mow When Grass is
3 inches
3 1/2 inches
3 to 4 inches
3 to 4 inches
3 inches
TODD VALLEY FARMS FERTILIZER PROGRAM
Follow for Fescues and Bluegrasses
Step 1 – Pre-emergent: Apply around April 25th.
• Slow release fertilizer plus crabgrass preventer. 16-0-2 25% PCSCU .37 Prodiamine. A vapor barrier which lasts 16 weeks is created to control weeds before they germinate. Covers approximately 10,000 sq ft.
Step 2 – Spring Fertilizer: Apply around May 20th.
• 50% slow release fertilizer. 18-0-3 50%XRT 4%IRON. Provides nutritional support throughout the summer months. Covers approximately 10,000 sq ft.
Step 3 - Late Summer Fertilizer: Apply around September 10th.
• 50% slow release fertilizer. – 20-5-10 50%XRT 5%IRON. Promotes recovery from summer stress. Covers approximately 10,000 sq ft.
Step 4 – Fall Fertilizer-Apply around October 20th.
• Quick release fertilizer. 20-10-5. Promotes storage of carbohydrates for use next year. Important for health the following summer. Covers approximately 10,000 sq ft.
OPTIONAL STEP – GRUB CONTROL – Apply around July 15th if grub control is needed.
• 15-0-0 20%XCU .2% Merit. 20% slow release fertilizer plus summer long grub control.
Location
Todd Valley Farms
950 County Road M
Mead, NE 68041
402-624-6385
info@toddvalleyfarms.com
©2023 Todd Valley Farms, Inc
Hours - Open to the Public
Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 5:00 pm
Saturday: 8:00am - 12:00 pm
Sunday: Closed