Thriving plants.

plant care GUIDELINES

Seeded Lawn | Sodded Lawn | Trees, Shrubs and Perennials

CARE INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOUR NEWLY SEEDED LAWN

(Download a PDF version of this document)

Please remember seeding a lawn is a process.  Watering is required.  If the seed dries out, it will die.  Additional seeding is almost always needed.  Landscape Architecture, LLC will leave you with some additional seed.  If you need more, please feel free to call us and we will provide you more seed for a nominal fee.  We will have fertilized your lawn with a starter fertilizer.

WATERING INSTRUCTIONS:Retaining wall plantings.

  • Begin watering immediately.  The soil must stay moist.  Landscape Architecture LLC will not water when the seed is first put down; however if you have hoses, sprinklers, and timers we will be happy to set them up for you.  
  • Water daily.  During the first 3-4 weeks water at least 2 times per day (hot dry weather could require watering 3-4 times per day). 
  • Water long enough to provide ¼” of water.  The best way to measure this is by placing a few cans (tuna or vegetable can) in your yard.
  • After the grass has been mowed (about 4 weeks), water every second to third day.  Provide ½” of water per time.  Your lawn will develop a stronger root system with less frequent but deeper watering.
  • Hot, dry, and windy conditions will require additional watering. 

MOWING INSTRUCTIONS

  • After two weeks pull up a few more spots of sod.  If the sod is latched down and about 3-4” high, then it is ready to be mowed.
  • If sod is staked, drive stakes into ground or break them off prior to mowing.
  • Use caution while mowing as not to scalp the lawn.  Set you lawn mower to mow at the highest setting.  It is best not to remove more than one-third of the lawn’s height. 
  • After mowing 3-4 times, use a fertilizer specifically for newly established lawns.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

  • Do not rake off mulch or erosion fabric; there may be grass seed in it.  Raking may harm the young new grass.  Mulch and erosion fabric will biodegrade.
  • You may have a few areas in which the seeds did not germinate.  Loosen and smooth the soil with a rake or shovel.  Reseed and water the area.
  • Store grass seed in a cool, dry place.  Seed can be stored for up two years.   After two years, seed will not germinate as well.

WATERING SERVICES

Landscape Architecture, LLC can arrange a temporary irrigation system for your lawn.  The service includes set up and maintenance of sprinklers throughout your lawn.  A time clock will turn zones of sprinklers on and off throughout the day and night.  After 3-4 weeks we will remove the system.

CARE INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOUR NEWLY SODDED LAWN

(Download a PDF version of this document)

Immediate watering of your new sod is required.  Landscape Architecture, LLC will water the sod as it is being installed.  As we complete our work, you must continue watering.   If you have hoses, sprinklers, and timers; we will be happy to assist you with setting these up.

WATERING INSTRUCTIONS

  • Be prepared to begin watering immediately.  Landscape Architecture, LLC will water the sod as it is installed but a second watering can start right away.     The sod must be wet and the soil under the sod must be saturated.
  • Water daily.  During the first 3-4 weeks water at least 2 times per day (hot dry weather could require watering 3-4 times per day). 
  • If watering 2 times per day, water in the morning then again in the early to mid afternoon.
  • If watering 3-4 times per day, water in the early morning, the late morning, the early afternoon, and finally late afternoon or early evening.
  • The hottest time of the day is mid to late afternoon.  To avoid your sod getting dry, it is important to water the sod during the mid to late afternoon.
  • Water long enough to provide ¼” of water.  The best way to measure this is by placing a few cans (tuna or vegetable can) in your yard.
  • After 7-10 days, lightly tug up a corner of a roll of sod.  If there is resistance the sod has begun latching down.
  • After about 3-4 weeks, water every day or every other day depending on heat, drought and wind.  Provide ½” of water per time.  Your lawn will develop a stronger root system with less frequent but deeper watering.
  • Hot, dry, and windy conditions will require additional watering.


MOWING INSTRUCTIONS

  • After two weeks pull up a few more spots of sod.  If the sod is latched down and about 3-4” high, then it is ready to be mowed.
  • If sod is staked, drive stakes into ground or break them off prior to mowing.
  • Use caution while mowing as not to scalp the lawn.  It is best not to remove more than one-third of the lawn’s height. 
  • After mowing 3-4 times, use a fertilizer specifically for newly established lawns.


WATERING SERVICES

Landscape Architecture, LLC can arrange a temporary irrigation system for your lawn.  The service includes set up and maintenance of sprinklers throughout your lawn.  A time clock will turn zones of sprinklers on and off throughout the day and night.  After 2-3 weeks we will remove the system.

ADDITIONAL NOTES

Sod can perish in future years during drought conditions.  Providing an inch of water per week on a sodded yard is recommended. 

WATERING TREES, SHRUBS, AND PERENNIALS

(Download a PDF version of this document)

Thriving plants.Watering your plants following planting is vital to there survival.  Given ever changing weather conditions, there are no precise watering instructions.  The following will however provide guidelines for watering. 

Landscape Architecture, LLC will water plantings when they are planted.  We will continue to water them as we work in your yard.  After the completion of our work, you will need to water your plants. 

The first two weeks are critical.  Please water every day during the first week.  During the second week water every other day.

After this time you will need to decide if watering is needed.  The best way to decide if watering is needed is to brush aside the hardwood mulch (or stone mulch) at the base of the plant and touch the soil.  If the soil is moist, you do not need to water.  If it is dry, you need to water. 

THE FOLLOWING IS GENERALLY TRUE

  • Rain will reduce the amount of watering you need to do.
  • Wind will increase the amount of watering you need to do.
  • The higher the temperature, the more watering you need to do.
  • Sandy soils will require more frequent watering than clay soils.

HOW TO WATER

    • Adjust the hose to low pressure to create a slow trickle.   Place the hose over the plants roots (the root ball, or the soil from the plant pot). 
      • Water smaller plants such as spirea or roses for a 1-2 minutes.  When water has started to run away from the plant or puddle, you can stop.
      • Water larger plants such as evergreen trees and shade trees, for 10 to 15 minutes.  Please move the hose around the plant every 3-5 minutes so the entire root zone gets water.
      • Water Juneberry, Serviceberry, or Amelanchier, for no more than 5 minutes. 
      • If you are also watering a new lawn near these plants:
        • Only water the root ball with a hose every other day during the first week and every third day during the second week.
        • Evergreens and shade trees that are planted in lawn areas that are being watered will also require watering for only 5 minutes every other day during the first week and every third day during the second week.
      • Plants planted with a tree spade should be watered heavily for the first few days.  Please allow the house to trickle water on the root ball an hour each day for the first week.
      • A root feeder is beneficial for watering larger plants.  Root feeders are available at most hardware stores.
      • It is important to allow the soil to dry very slightly between watering.  A constantly soggy wet soil deprives the roots of needed oxygen and will drown the plant.

    The length of time for watering and the frequency of watering should be adjusted depending on temperature, wind, and rain as outlined above.

Click here to go back to previous page