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Old 28-06-2006, 03:13 AM posted to alt.home.lawn.garden
Tom The Great
 
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Default Help! My new lawn is dying!

On Mon, 26 Jun 2006 20:24:33 -0400, "Kyle Boatright"
wrote:


"Tom The Great" wrote in message
.. .
On Mon, 26 Jun 2006 10:51:25 -0500, Steve
wrote:

wardk wrote in
:


Hi Guys,

I laid a brand new lawn about two months ago, using turf from a
reputable dealer.

I cleared and levelled the ground, and laid the turf on top. I
carefully watered it every couple of days. Within a few weeks bare
patches started to appear, and now the bare patches are about equal
with what grass is left. I laid a similar lawn on much worse ground a
few years ago with perfect results, so I don't understand what I've
done wrong.

Help!

Thanks.


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I was always told when you get turf, you have to water it much more then
seed. Soaking it twice a day for the first 2 weeks or so until it
establishes itself.



I heard the same thing, since the roots are short, and the top layer
of soil drys quickly, frequent watering was required.

later,

tom @ www.FindMeShelter.com


There is a very fine line to walk when irrigating new sod. You don't want to
soak new sod until it is soggy. If the grass is too wet, the abundance of
water tells the grass "don't bother to grow roots, there is plenty of
water", or something to that effect. I laid 4,500 sf of zoysia exactly 2
weeks ago (to go with the other 7,500 sf I've already got). I watered
moderately 2x a day - once before dawn, and the other time just before noon.
This kept the soil moist during the day, but allowed it to dry out somewhat
overnight, which encourages the roots to grow, so they can find moisture.

The sod is surprisingly well rooted now, and I am cutting back on the
watering. In the past, I tended to over water and the sod took twice as
long to root well.

KB




Good point about watering, you don't want a swamp.

Just thinking about it, wouldn't you feed the yard with a fertilizer
that promots root growth to speed up the process?

later,

tom