Water: Daily in early morning or late afternoon for 1 hour. Continue this until the seed germinates(10 to 14 days) and grass reaches a height of 2 to 3”. At this time the grass can be cut and watered 2 or 3 times a week for 1 hour at a time. Straw can be raked out at this time or it can be left to decompose on its own.
Keep in mind that if it rains every day or other day for a total of more than 1” per week than you should not have to water that week. If we have a hot dry spell you may have to water every day in the morning and/or late afternoon. Watering should be monitored closely for the first year.
Fertilizer: I apply organic fertilizer on my lawn every spring and summer. I use Pro-Grow 5-3-4 in a blue bag produced by North Country Organics and is found in most local garden centers and nurseries.
pH: Soil acidity is a fact of life in most Vermont soils(except clay). Therefore an application of ground limestone is necessary to raise the pH level in the soil. The reason for this is the major or “macro” nutrients including Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium are made more readily available to the roots of the grass when the pH is between 6.5 and 7.0. You may want to take a soil test of your soil to determine its pH. Test kits for pH are found at most garden centers and are easy to use. What you do not want to do is put on too much lime, if you are not sure apply the minimum amount. I put lime on my lawn every other year moderately.
Other Cultural Practices: Thatch is a term used to describe the build up of grass clippings in your lawn. Thatch can usually be removed with a good lawn rake but sometimes it can require a de-thatching machine or “Power Rake” that removes 1” or more. Aeration is also important for oxygenation of the grass roots. This is also performed manually with a spiked tool used with your foot or an aerator machine can be rented for severely compacted areas.
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