By now you’ve got a fresh, green, beautiful looking yard, but it will only stay that way with a proper watering schedule. Now comes the time for you to ensure your investment in a new lawn was worth it. For the first two weeks your sod will need to be consistently soaked, soaked but not muddy. You’ll want to run a sprinkler over the entirety of the area that was replaced with sod (this may require you to shift the sprinkler to provide full coverage) for 10-15 minutes, at least three times a day. After this crucial first period, for the next two weeks, you can relax just a little bit. Your lawn has started to develop its roots! Now, you’ll want to water your lawn 1-3 times per day, however, be sure to check for moisture first as there may be days you won’t even need to water it. At this point your new lawn has had a full month to develop its roots and by now. If you’ve kept up with the watering, they should be healthy and strong. For the rest of this first season, you’ll want to water only when your lawn is dry (as any lawn would require). Now you’ve got your new lawn and you know how to keep it looking great for years to come.

First 2 Weeks

-It is crucial to properly water your new sod for the first month.  Immediately after the installation of sod, soak thoroughly.  Your goal is to keep the soil underneath your new sod wet, approximately 4-6” deep.  If you allow it to dry out during this time it will begin to brown out, shrink, and possibly die.  To achieve this, you will need to water 3-5 times per day. Approximately 10-15 minutes per session, depending on the season and the rainfall.  Do your best to keep this schedule for the first two weeks.  Try to stay off your lawn during this time as to not leave depressions.  At the end of this two-week period, if you have carefully followed these steps your lawn should be ready for a haircut (mow).  Refer to mowing category below.  It is recommended, not to cut your new grass below 2” the first few times. 

Weeks 3 and 4

-During week 3, you can begin to decrease your watering to 1-3 times per day and skip a day if the sod isn’t drying out.  Week 4 bring it down to 1-2 times every other day.   Mornings and evenings are the most ideal times of day to water.

Rest of the Season

-Throughout the first season of your new lawn, for optimal results you will want to give deep watering less frequently. Giving your lawn a deep watering will help the roots stretch and reach for the moisture, developing a deep root system.  Keep in mind after the first two weeks, it is alright to let your lawn dry out from time to time but if your lawn begins to look dry, be sure to water it.  

Mowing

-When mowing is needed (grass is over 3.5”), remember to make sure you allow your lawn to dry out enough to be able to firmly walk on it without creating depressions.  Be careful the first few times mowing, if any sod is lifted or moves from the mowing, simply put it back into place and it should be just fine. 

Tips

–If possible, avoid walking on your new lawn during the first 2 weeks.  After the first 2 weeks avoid walking on your new lawn for another month, except when you give it time to dry before your mow. 

-Mornings and evenings are the best time to water new sod.

-Timers make life much easier!

-After 6-8 weeks of the initial installation, you can apply the appropriate nutrients for the time of season. 

Related Links:

• Flower Watering
  
• Soil And Seed Watering 
• Tree Watering 

[btnsx id=”6333″]

The post Sod Watering appeared first on New Vision Landscaping | New Berlin, WI.

Watering trees takes time, effort, and an incredibly large amount of water; they are some very thirsty organisms. For the first three weeks, they will require soil that is constantly soaked (not enough to be muddy). You should be watering your trees daily at this stage, or at the very least, checking the soil to ensure it is still moist. What is most important at this stage is ensuring the soil doesn’t dry out, this ensures a continuous growth for the root system, meaning your tree will be ready to grow on its own sooner! After the first three weeks, and for the next six months, you will want to give your tree a heavy watering (soaked, not muddy) once or twice per week. After this six-month period, and for the rest of the first year of your tree’s life, you should give your tree a soaking at least once every other week.

First Three Weeks

-Ensure the soil at the base of your tree is moist, but not enough to be muddy. This will require daily watering and/or attention.

Three Weeks to Six Months

-Your tree will need a heavy watering once or twice per week, to ensure its root growth remains continuous. Again, the soil should be moist enough that you know its wet just by feeling it, but not moist enough that its muddy.

Six Months to One Year

-At this point your tree’s root system should be sufficiently developed that it won’t require daily or weekly attention. However, for the remainder of the first year, you should still give your tree a good soaking (moist, not muddy) at least once every other week

One Year and Beyond

-If you’ve made it this far and your tree is alive and well then it must truly be loved. At this point, your tree should have a strong root system to support its growth throughout the rest of its life. However, during periods of time where there is little to no rain for months at a time, your tree will depend on you and your garden hose for the water it so desperately needs. Regardless of rain conditions, your tree will benefit immensely from a good watering once a month.

Tips

-A general rule of thumb for watering trees is to give them 10 gallons per 1.5 inches in diameter. This is a very general rule of thumb though and you should still ensure the soil around your tree isn’t muddy.

-Water at the base of your new tree and use light to medium water pressure so your soil doesn’t wash away and expose the root system.

Related Links:

• Flower Watering
• Sod Watering 
• Tree Watering 

The post Tree Watering appeared first on New Vision Landscaping | New Berlin, WI.

The soil has been laid and the seed has been spread. Now comes the time to help the seeds along to becoming your lawn. For the first two weeks, your seeds will need just enough water that they can sprout, but not so much that they’ll drown. This can be achieved by giving them a ten-minute watering session in the morning and evening, daily, until you see the green shoots starting to show. At this point your grass will be looking to establish its root system. The schedule will remain the same for the most part, except now you will want to give them a fifteen-minute watering session in the mornings and a five-minute session in the evenings, for the next three to four weeks. By now your lawn should be looking lush and green and have a well-established root system. In order to keep it looking green it will need one to two inches of water per week, this includes any rainfall that may come so be sure to pay attention to the weather and only water when needed. Keeping your lawn healthy and strong takes dedication and attention; I would tell you “Good Luck”, but if you follow these instructions you won’t need any. 

Seed

-Initially, water your new seed approximately 10 minutes each session, two times per day. (morning and evening) Do so until your grass begins to grow.  

Sprout

-Once the grass begins to grow, increase your morning watering session to approximately 15 minutes, while decreasing your evening session to approximately 5 minutes.  Apply this method for 3-4 weeks.  Our goal is to get the root system to start stretching towards the moisture.  Soo deeper watering and less frequently will help achieve this goal.  

Established

-After the lawn is well established, grass will do best with 1-2” of water per week, including rainfall.  You can let mother nature take her course or help your grass by watering a few times a week.  Keep an eye on the weather and be sure not to overwater.  

Mowing

-Once most of your grass has reached approximately 3.5-4”, it is time to mow your lawn.  (typically, this takes 2 months’ time from initial seeding) Make sure you skip a day or two of watering before doing so to insure you do not sink into the new lawn area.  Keep your cutting length to 3.25-4” the first few lawn cuts.

Tips

-Keep soil moist until seeds have sprouted.

-Timers are a great way to help keep a consistent watering schedule.  They are inexpensive and relatively easy to use.  

-Applying fertilizer after 8 weeks will help give your grass the nutrients it needs to thrive. 

– “Patience” Soil and seed method takes time and will continue to fill in over time.  Grass has an adventitious root system, meaning it will grow more blades from the root system.  So over time with the proper love and care it will continue to fill in.

Related Links:

• Flower Watering 
• Sod Watering 
• Tree Watering 

[btnsx id=”6333″]

The post Soil And Seed Watering appeared first on New Vision Landscaping | New Berlin, WI.

Flower watering will take effort! They “drink” water just as we do, more when its sunny and hot, less when its cloudy and cool. The very best way to know when to water your new plant is to get your hands a little dirty. By that, we mean stick your finger about two inches into the soil immediately surrounding your plant. If it feels wet, then your plant currently has the water it needs and won’t require any watering. If the soil feels dry, then you should give it enough water to moisten the soil without making it muddy.

Finger Test

-Stick your finger about two inches into the ground surrounding your plant.

-Determine whether the soil feels moist or dry.

First Two Weeks

-Your plant will require near-daily attention as this is an important time for them. They have just left their cozy homes in their pot and are now living in a completely new environment, your garden bed. At this stage, you should be doing the Finger Test at least once every day to ensure the soil stays properly moist (wet without being muddy). 

First Two Weeks to One month

-By now your plant has mostly adjusted to the nutrient conditions of your garden bed, meaning you can worry just a little less about them. Continue doing the Finger Test two to three times per week to ensure your plant has enough water to continue establishing its root system.

One Month to Three Months

-Your plant has now had ample time to adjust to establish its roots and adjust to the new environment, it may have even made a few new friends in your garden bed. However, you should still be checking your plant using the Finger Test method at least once per week to ensure there is no excessive drying of the soil.

Tips

-Water the soil around your plants evenly to ensure all its root receive water

-Avoid wetting the leaves of the plant as this can help diseases develop

Related Links:

• Sod Watering
• Soil And Seed Watering 
• Tree Watering 

[btnsx id=”6333″]

The post Flower Watering appeared first on New Vision Landscaping | New Berlin, WI.