Water the turf and check the whole lawn
Watering begins as soon as the turf is laid. The turf and soil underneath need moisture, but the amount after that depends on the weather, sunlight, soil and how quickly different parts of the yard dry.
Check more than the centre. A sprinkler can soak one area while missing corners, pieces beside paths or turf beneath eaves and trees.
- 01Water inMoisten the fresh turf and the prepared soil underneath promptly.
- 02Check coverageInspect the centre, corners, edges and sheltered sections.
- 03Adjust for conditionsRespond to heat, wind, rain and sunlight rather than repeating one sprinkler setting.
- 04Watch the surfaceLook for dry joins, runoff, puddles or turf that still moves easily.
Protect the lawn while the roots settle in
Repeated walking, pets, furniture and play equipment can move fresh turf or open the joins. Use another route to gates, bins or clotheslines until the lawn begins holding firmly in place.
Do not judge moisture only from the green leaves. Check where the turf meets the soil, because a shaded corner can stay wet while a sunny edge dries much faster.
Check rooting before the first mow
The turf should hold firmly before mowing. Check several areas because sunny, shaded and edge sections can take root at different rates.
Use sharp mower blades and avoid removing too much leaf at once. If the mower pulls or turns the turf, stop and give the roots more time to settle in.
- Turf resists liftingThe lawn holds to the soil when gently checked in several places.
- Surface is firm enoughFootsteps and mower wheels do not move the joins.
- Blades are sharpA clean cut reduces pulling and avoids tearing the leaf.
Notice the early warning signs
| What you notice | What to check |
|---|---|
| Dry edges or opening joins | Water coverage at the perimeter and moisture beneath the turf |
| Persistent pooling | Low spots, overlapping sprinklers, runoff and how wet the soil remains |
| Turf shifts underfoot | Whether the roots are holding, the turf touches the soil evenly or normal use started too early |
| Uneven colour | Sunlight, moisture and recent foot traffic across different parts of the lawn |
What you may notice and what to check
- What you notice
- Dry edges or opening joins
- What to check
- Water coverage at the perimeter and moisture beneath the turf
- What you notice
- Persistent pooling
- What to check
- Low spots, overlapping sprinklers, runoff and how wet the soil remains
- What you notice
- Turf shifts underfoot
- What to check
- Whether the roots are holding, the turf touches the soil evenly or normal use started too early
- What you notice
- Uneven colour
- What to check
- Sunlight, moisture and recent foot traffic across different parts of the lawn
