 WATERING—Incorrect
watering is the most common mistake made while establishing a lawn. Newly
installed sod should be kept well watered for a period of 10 days to 2
weeks. This is the most critical period in the life of your lawn. Water
several times a day increasing frequency for extremely hot or windy weather.
Sod must be kept wet.
After you lawn is established less water will be required. A thorough
irrigation every 3 -4 days in warmer weather (5 - 7 days in cooler weather)
is sufficient in most situations. Your goal is to achieve water penetration
to a depth of 6 inches. This will encourage deep rooting and a healthier
lawn. Verify the depth of watering by probing soil with a screwdriver or
sharp instrument. If the screwdriver enters the soil easily to a depth of 6
- 8 inches your have achieved proper moisture penetration. In extremely hot
weather, cool season grasses can benefit from the cooling effect of a method
of "spritzing". By simply spraying a fine mist of water to the
turf zone, the temperature in the area of the crown of the grass blade will
be reduced enough to avoid stress to the lawn and damage caused by wilt.
MOWING—The correct mowing height is important for the long term
survival of your lawn. Regular weekly mowing and clipping removal is
strongly recommended. During cool weather, Triathalawn can be maintained at
approximately 1 ½ to 2 inches, but during hot weather mowing height should
be maintained at approximately 3 inches. This added height actually reduces
heat stress by providing a shading effect on cool season grasses. New
Triathalawn sod lawns should be mowed 1 week to 10 days after installation
at no lower than 2 inches. Never scalp the lawn or cut more than one third
of the top growth from a cool season lawn at any one mowing. Scalping fescue
or bluegrass lawns can cause permanent damage. Any type of sharp mower can
be used, but dull rotary mowers can shatter the grass blade and poorly
adjusted reel mowers can bruise and pull leaf blades.
FERTILIZING—The preplant fertilizer put down before you
installed your sod will take care of the fertilizer requirements for the
first month. Maintenance fertilizer such as Gro-Power should then be used
with subsequent application monthly during the growing season (October
through May) to achieve good growth and color. During the hot months of
summer the fertilizer rate should be cut in half or a slow release
fertilizer should be used. Follow label instructions on all fertilizer. Good
fertility programs help the lawn resist disease, weed, and pest
infiltrations.
INSECTS, DISEASES AND WEEDS—Triathalawn Tall Fescue is
guaranteed to be free of insects, disease and weeds at the time of delivery.
However, infestation can occur from neighboring lawns which have these
problems. Be especially careful before resorting to chemical control by
ruling out dog damage, dry spots and fertilizer burn. If small to medium
sized spots or patches begin to wilt, turn brown, then die back; and you
have checked out all other factors, then by all means spray the lawn with a
broad spectrum fungicide. Be sure to follow the instructions provided by the
manufacturer. Chemical use should be avoided on newly planted sod. And,
remember, turf which is properly watered, mowed and fertilized is more
likely to resist problems than turf which is stressed or mismanaged.
REPAIRING DAMAGED AREAS—By virtue of the fact that Triathalawn
does not send out runners such as warm season, bermuda type lawns, areas
which die out will not repair themselves. However, you can easily return the
lawn to its original beauty by either planting sod plugs or by reseeding the
damaged area. Both small pieces of sod and Triathalawn seed are available
through Old River Sod.
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