The summer months are all about lawn upkeep. A vibrant green lawn makes your summer BBQ parties more pleasurable.

Water is essential to your grass lawn. Most people are concerned about not watering their lawns enough, the fact is that more gardens are damaged or destroyed by over-watering. There is a balance that must be met.

Newly installed  turf grass has important watering needs. Proper watering immediately after laying will ensure the turf gets established, and it will also have an impact on how well the lawn continues to flourish for years to come.

How To Water Lawn With Hose

1. Start watering immediately after the turf is laid. A sprinkler is preferred and should be turned on as soon as there is an area big enough without getting the next soil area wet. It is important that enough water is put down the first time to thoroughly soak the turf and the soil underneath. Water each area with about half an inch of water. If you are unsure on how much water this is, place an empty glass and when there is at least a finger width of water in the glass you can move onto the next area.
   
2. After a few hours, pull back the corner of a turf roll to see if the dirt underneath is moist. If the soil is not damp, water more. You can check the moisture by lifting a corner of the grass and sticking your finger into the topsoil. By giving the turf a thorough initial watering you will rid the area of air pockets that can dry out the turf. If you make deep footprints when walking across your lawn, the sod is almost too wet. You can avoid footprints by using turf laying boards.
   
3. The edges of turf are typically the hardest to keep wet and may need some extra attention. After the first watering, continue to spray water but not enough to make it muddy. In the summer weather, you may have to water daily or every other day. Try not to allow the ground to dry out between watering.
   
4. After the first few (2-3) weeks you can begin less frequent watering. Remember that continued shallow watering is not good for your lawn as it will cause the roots to not grow deep into the soil. Water less often, but water deeply. Over time the roots will follow the water down into the soil and you will have a beautiful, healthy and resilient lawn.

TLDR: When you have received your turf, you will want to get it laid immediately. After laying your turf it will need watered twice per day for the first 2 weeks. This allows the grass roots to grow deep and knit together. Even if it rains, you should still check if your turf needs additional water. The best time to water grass is first thing in the morning, then a second watering in the evening.

If you need any advice for your next garden project or for more information, please contact sales@mitchellturf.co.uk