LawnCentral
Maintaining a Beautiful Lawn
Watering Guide for Your New Lawn
Proper sod watering is essential for root establishment. NEVER let the roots dry out! Soil should remain evenly moist for the first two weeks to promote rooting. Water
First 14 days
- 60-70°F 8 am, 1 pm, for 15 minutes
- 70-90°F 6 am, 12 pm, 3 pm for 20-25 minutes
- 90°F + 6 am, 10 am, 2 pm, 4 pm for 20-25 minutes
- If run off is excessive or sod is soggy, reduce the length of time; not the frequency.
After 14 days
- 6 am daily for 20-25 minutes. Shaded areas may require less water.
After 30 days
- 10 am 2-3 times weekly for 30 minutes. Shaded areas may require less water.
Helpful hints
- Do not water lawns of any age at night; it may promote disease.
- During periods of extreme heat or dry winds, the lawn may require additional water.
- The object is to water deeply, less frequently to encourage deep rooting.
Mowing Guidelines
Mow for the first time on day 14 to three inches tall, when the blades of grass are dry. Never remove more than 1/3 of the grass in one mowing. The lawn must be well established before a riding mower is used.
| Variety | Mowing Heights |
|---|---|
| Bermuda | 1½” (3.8 cm) CA 1” (2.5 cm) |
| Bluegrass | 1½-2” (3.8-5 cm) |
| Centipede | 2” (5 cm) |
| Fescue | 1½-2” (3.8-5 cm) |
| Ryegrass | 1½” (3.8 cm) |
| St. Augustine | 3” (7.6 cm) CA 1” (2.5 cm) |
| Zoysia | 2” (5 cm) |
Lawn Food Frequency
Your new Harmony® lawn comes pre-fertilized. Regular feedings provide the nutrients the lawn needs to look its best and resist the stress of weeds, heat, drought and family activity. As a general rule of thumb, feed your lawn spring, summer and fall.
Harmony® recommends Scotts® Turf Builder® Starter® Food for New Grass for the first feeding. Once your new Harmony™ SOD is established, regularly feed it with Scotts® Turf Builder™ UltraFeed™.
