www.royceturf.co.uk how to water your new lawn

1. Royce Turf and Irrigation
Information Sheet
Water and Your New Lawn
Water is one of the key factors in establishing a new lawn. When turf is harvested most of the roots are left behind in
the field. The rest of the roots are there in the roll, but are in fact no use for the absorption of water. New Roots are sent
out from the base of the plants and are quickly going to penetrate the soil. The length of time this takes will depend
on time of year, ten to fourteen days in spring summer and up to four weeks in the autumn. So a newly laid turf needs
moisture straight away to encourage new root growth and also keep the grass plants from de-hydration
When watering in turf for the first time, it is important to water as soon as possible on a hot day, even watering
sections of turf, while you are still laying. A new turf will quickly dry out on a sunny and/or windy day. The only time we
recommend watering turf in direct sunshine is at this initial watering, this is because the turf is in recovery after being
kept in a roll and needs moisture as quickly as possible. Turf should then be watered in the shade or early or late in
the day, this will prevent possible scorching of the leaves. When laying the turf if they are butted close together and
if insufficient water is being applied they will start to shrink as the grass is using the available water in the roll quickly,
this is an indication that it needs more water straight away. If rain is fore-casted still water your turf in, it may only be a
small shower or it may not rain at all. If it does rain it will be a bonus. Newly laid turf needs moisture straight away to
encourage new root growth and also keep the grass plants from de-hydration
New Turf may require water twice a day in the summer and once a day in the spring/autumn for the first week, two
to three times a week then after 3-6 weeks once a week. The turf must not dry out, do not get to the point when the
soil is to sodden because over watering can be a problem especially on heavier soils. The sun and wind can also dry
the top 25 mm of ground. As your turf establishes roots are being sent in to the soil at the rate of 12.5 mm a week, a
matures turf on most U K soils will be between 150-250 mm deep. So until the roots gets beyond the first 25 mm of
topsoil the sun and wind can play a big roll in drying out the soil as well as the turf absorbing moisture. As you water it
will percolate down into the soil eventually draining beyond the roots, It must also e remembered that other roots such
as tree roots will also be taking in water, and area of tree shade may need to be watered just as much as full
sunshine.
The amount of water to be applied is very difficult as each lawn would have different needs de-pending on location,
shade, sun, type of soil, but you should not let turf sit in water as this will lead to root rot, if the preparation has been
done correctly the water should drain away reasonably quickly from the root zone leaving the soil moist.
Water can be applied with a garden sprinkler this could be done by manual operation or by a timer. If the area is
large it is worth considering an irrigation system as this could be installed prior to laying the turf. The duration of the
watering should be in the region of 20- 30 minutes as a rough guide dependant on time of year. During winter
months it would not be necessary to water the turf, After a year of establishment your new lawn will be well rooted
and watering can be done in times of drought
Cedar Nuresry
Horsley Road Telephone 01932860760
Cobham Fax 01932860730
Surrey Email enq@royceturf.co.uk
KT11 3 JX Website. www.royceturf.co.uk