Lawn Establishment
Seeding
If you decide to seed, make sure you spread the seeds evenly over the soil at the seeding rate specified on the packet. If you underseed the growth layer will be too thin to protect against weed attack and if you overseed the young grasses will have to compete too hard for nutrients. Try not to seed when it's windy and mix a little sand with the seeds so you know where you've seeded.
Laying turf
For those who want an instant solution and chose turf, make sure you have it delivered as close as possible to the area where it will be laid. Keep rolls moist with occasional watering and start laying turf right away, starting at the furthermost point and working your way in. This way, you'll be getting closer to the turf stack as the day goes on.
Planting runners
Remove all weeds, add organic matter as compost and hoe through the soil to a depth of around 15cm to get your lawn area ready for runners. Then plant your runners about 5cm apart, eased just below ground level. Couch and Kikuyu stolons are the most popular runners.
What to do after you've sewn, laid or planted
Water regularly
Whether you've seeded, laid turf or put in runners, one critical factor applies to all three methods. And that is the fact that you must water your new lawn regularly to keep the soil from dying out. During the first two weeks, it is recommended to water twice a day for an hour at a time. In particularly warm and windy weather, watering three times a day may be required. However, this is obviously dependent on local water restrictions and regulations.
Add fertiliser
Newly established lawn has different requirements from a mature lawn. Choose 'lawn starter' fertilisers from your hardware store, nursery or garden centre. These fertilisers have more nitrogen and phosphorous than general-purpose lawn foods. Always check the packaging for the correct dosage.
Don't mow low
It's really important to give your new lawn time to establish itself before you mow it for the first time. Let the grass grow to a height of 5-6cm before the first mowing and then for the first cut, set your mower's cutting height so that it reduces the height of your new grass to 3-4cm. Subsequent mowings should also be light and frequent and you should never remove more than 40% of the leaf at any one mowing.
Enjoy it!
Now it's time to put your feet up for a while and admire your new lawn. However, don't leave it to long before undertaking some maintainence so that the grass remains lush and attractive.
Check out Lawn Care Tips for details on how to care for your lawn.