Lee Burkhill: Award Winning Designer & BBC 1's Garden Rescue Presenters Official Blog
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Quote from sarahsausage on 30th June 2024, 5:42 pm
Hi all 😊
I am in a new build and the developers came last week and laid new turf (I appeared to be budget turf). I’ve given it a thorough watering every night but it’s starting to look dead. Today I decided to get some grass fertiliser to see if I could revive it but, after the fact I went online and it seems you shouldn’t feed new grass 🤦♀️ have I ruined it?
Any help would be greatly appreciated, Thankyou 😬
Hi all 😊
I am in a new build and the developers came last week and laid new turf (I appeared to be budget turf). I’ve given it a thorough watering every night but it’s starting to look dead. Today I decided to get some grass fertiliser to see if I could revive it but, after the fact I went online and it seems you shouldn’t feed new grass 🤦♀️ have I ruined it?
The quick answer with newly laid turf is that there is no need to fertilize it. If you do, it's usually just a waste of resources and can lead to your turf not rooting as quickly, as it doesn't have any impetus to root into the soil beneath if you're watering and feeding it! It won't ruin or kill it, but you don't need to feed it. Just focus on watering instead.
The key to new turf is as follows:
Stay off it for at least 7-10 days if possible
Use a sprinkler to water it each evening at dusk
If it goes yellow don't panic - turf is mega tolerant and it doesn't mean its dead
Avoid feeding it until its been down at least 3-6 months
Make your first cut 3 weeks after it has been laid to number 4 on the mower
The quick answer with newly laid turf is that there is no need to fertilize it. If you do, it's usually just a waste of resources and can lead to your turf not rooting as quickly, as it doesn't have any impetus to root into the soil beneath if you're watering and feeding it! It won't ruin or kill it, but you don't need to feed it. Just focus on watering instead.
The key to new turf is as follows:
Stay off it for at least 7-10 days if possible
Use a sprinkler to water it each evening at dusk
If it goes yellow don't panic - turf is mega tolerant and it doesn't mean its dead
Avoid feeding it until its been down at least 3-6 months
Make your first cut 3 weeks after it has been laid to number 4 on the mower
Yes, it will, unfortunately. Heavy clay soil will be harder for new turf to establish into which is why not walking on it too much is key as this compacts it. It all depends on how much 'care' the landscaper/builder put into preparing the ground. But do see how you get on first before panicking or trying to replace it. It maybe absolutely fine!
Yes, it will, unfortunately. Heavy clay soil will be harder for new turf to establish into which is why not walking on it too much is key as this compacts it. It all depends on how much 'care' the landscaper/builder put into preparing the ground. But do see how you get on first before panicking or trying to replace it. It maybe absolutely fine!
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Lee Burkhill
Lee Burkhill, known as the Garden Ninja, is an award-winning garden designer and horticulturist with over 30 years of gardening experience and 15 years as a professional garden designer. A qualified RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) professional, Lee specialises in sustainable garden design and practical horticultural advice. He designs and presents on BBC1’s Garden Rescue and in leading gardening publications. Lee combines three decades of hands-on gardening knowledge with professional design qualifications to help gardeners create beautiful, functional outdoor spaces.
Lee Burkhill: Award Winning Designer & BBC 1's Garden Rescue Presenters Official Blog
