The first three weeks decide whether you have a lawn. Water is the whole answer, and there is no substitute for it.
Water thoroughly and often for the first two to three weeks, stay off it while it roots, and take the first cut high once it has knitted down.
Watering is not a suggestion. New turf has no root system yet — it is living on what is in the roll, and that dries out fast.
| Sign | What it means |
|---|---|
| Edges of rolls curling and shrinking | Drying out — act now |
| Gaps opening between rolls | Shrinkage from lack of water |
| Grey-green or dull colour | Drought stress |
| Footprints staying visible | Early stress sign |
| Corners lifting when pulled | Not rooting |
| Brown patches spreading | Advanced; may not recover |
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Daily in warm or dry weather for the first two to three weeks, soaking rather than sprinkling so the water reaches the soil beneath. Reduce gradually as it roots.
Lift a corner and feel the soil underneath. If it is dry below the turf, you are not watering enough however wet the grass looks.
Around two weeks as a minimum, and longer in poor establishing conditions. Lift a corner gently — resistance means it is rooting.
Once it has rooted and the grass has some length, with the mower on its highest setting and sharp blades, taking only the tips.
Almost always shrinkage from drying out. Water more thoroughly and top-dress the seams with fine soil.
No. They come from organic matter breaking down in the soil and pass on their own.
Different batches of turf can differ slightly in colour. It evens out over a season.
Yes, but only if you can water it daily without fail. If you cannot commit to that, waiting until autumn is the better decision and costs the same.
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