When Mountain High Tree, Lawn and Landscape apply seed for lawns, we first aerate the areas to be seeded and then apply the seed. In heavily damaged areas, additional spot seeding may be necessary. Spring and fall are the prime times to seed when temperatures are cooler.
Here are our recommendations for newly seeded lawns:
The most important part of caring for a newly seeded lawn is water.
Seeds will not sprout without decent water and new seedlings can quickly dry out and die with the low humidity we have in Colorado. Because of this, watering on a consistent basis is critical. Keeping the soil damp for 21 to 28 days is the only way to get seed to fully establish. If you discontinue with consistent watering too soon, you will starve the plant. For a seedling, the goal is to keep it moist at all times while using caution in not drowning the young plant by over watering.
Homeowner care of newly seeded areas:
Please follow these guidelines to make the seeding successful while keeping your yard healthy:
- Water TWO TIMES daily with each watering lasting ten minutes. The germinating seed needs constant moisture but not a lot of water.
- If temperatures increase above 85 degrees or we experience windy days it may require an additional watering session during the day to keep the seed and soil moist.
- Once per week do a deeper watering so your established lawn continues to maintain good root depth.
- Do not rake up the aeration plugs. They will break down naturally. Raking out the plugs will disturb the seed and will prevent the plugs from adding valuable micro-nutrients to the soil.
- When the seeded areas are a half inch tall you can reduce watering but stay on your regular watering schedule. If the weather turns hot and dry, an extra watering may still be needed.
- Do not allow foot or pet traffic over seedlings.
- When seedlings are two inches tall you can start mowing again. Mow at the highest setting for the first couple of cuttings then reduce height in increments so you do not remove too much of the blade. Remember, optimal mowing height is two and a half to three inches.
- DO NOT use weed control in the seeded areas for a minimum of three weeks after the seed germinates. Mountain High’s technicians will not apply weed control in newly seeded areas if you have a program with us.
Please Call Us With Any Questions You May Have!
Mountain High Tree, Lawn & Landscape Company
(303) 232-0666