After Care & Maintenance

Our hydroseeding system makes establishing your new lawn easier and more reliable than traditional methods. However, once installation is complete, ongoing care is essential. The success of your lawn — and the validity of our guarantee — depends on following the guidelines below.

Watering Your Lawn

Proper watering is critical during establishment.

First Week (or until germination):

• Keep the lawn consistently moist at all times.
  
  

• Light, frequent watering is best — ideally three times per day.
  
  

• As a guide, place an ice cream container in the sprinkler stream. When there is 1cm of water in the bottom, that equals one adequate watering cycle.
  
  

After Germination:

• Reduce watering to morning and evening only.
  
  

• Avoid watering during the heat of the day, as this can scorch young grass.
  
  

• Ensure all edges and corners receive adequate coverage.
  
  

• If puddling occurs before reaching 1cm, reduce the volume of water but increase frequency. Puddling can cause seed movement and rot.
  
  

Continue watering morning and night until natural rainfall is sufficient (typically during Autumn/Winter). A healthy lawn requires regular watering — think of it as an extension of your garden.

The first three weeks are critical. Seedlings must not dry out. If the mulch dries, the sun can burn the seed, leading to poor or patchy germination.

Ongoing irrigation will be required long-term and should be factored into your regular lawn care routine.

Mowing Your Lawn

Your first mow should occur when the grass reaches approximately 80mm.

• If the soil feels soft or waterlogged, pause watering for a few days before mowing to prevent surface damage.
  
  

• Resume watering after mowing if required.
  
  

• Mow weekly for the first several cuts to strengthen the grass and encourage root development.
  
  

• Maintain a cutting height of no shorter than 40mm.
  
  

• Avoid mulching mowers until after 5–6 cuts with a conventional mower.
  
  

Cutting too short encourages weeds and weakens the lawn, while allowing grass to grow too long can promote disease.

Fertilising Your Lawn

Your hydroseeded lawn includes a starter fertiliser to support early growth and maintain a rich green colour.

New lawns are nutrient-hungry while establishing. If you notice:

• Yellowing, or
  
  

• Fading to a lighter green
  
  

…it is time to apply a nitrogen-rich lawn fertiliser.

For best results:

• Fertilise monthly during Spring and Autumn.
  
  

• Once or twice during Summer.
  
  

• Once during Winter.

Weeds & Disease

Weeds are a normal part of lawn establishment and can arrive via wind, birds, or soil.

A healthy, well-watered, and well-fertilised lawn naturally suppresses weeds.

• In early stages, remove weeds by hand.
  
  

• Once established, treat with appropriate herbicides, fungicides, or pesticides as recommended by a lawn care professional.
  
  

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Underwatering – leads to poor growth or lawn failure.
  
  

• Overwatering – causes rot, moss, and disease.
  
  

• Cutting too low – weakens grass and promotes weeds.
  
  

Professional Aftercare

While these guidelines are straightforward, the most effective way to ensure a thriving lawn is through a professional aftercare and maintenance plan.

The early stages are when your lawn is most vulnerable. Having an experienced professional monitor watering, mowing, and fertilising can make all the difference.

Questions or Concerns?

If you’re unsure about any part of the process or notice issues like patchiness, erosion, or discolouration, don’t hesitate to contact us.

📲 Earth & Turf Ltd
📧 nathan@earthandturf.co.nz/office@earthandturf.co.nz
📞 0226774861