Matilda vs. Sir Walter Buffalo Turf: Which is Right for Your Lawn?
September 10, 2024
Get one of our team members to give you a call to discuss your project!
You’ve just laid down your new lawn. Congrats! But with this achievement out of the way, you’re probably wondering: when is the right time to start mowing your lawn?
That depends on a few factors, such as what season you laid down the lawn, the type of turf, and the time it takes for the roots to settle in.
Fortunately, there’s a few guiding principles to make this choice easier.
Generally speaking, you’ll want to avoid mowing your lawn for at least the first 7 to 14 days of its life.
That’s because you need to give the lawn enough time for its roots to become established. On top of this, this timespan really only applies to the warmer seasons like summer. In winter, you could be waiting up to 6 weeks before the time is right to mow your lawn.
With that being said, how do you know when to mow your lawn? Here are some hints to help you answer that question.
This is typically a sign your lawn is ready to be mowed. It’s also important that you not let your lawn grow any higher than 6cm. Otherwise, the mowing process will be a lot tougher than it ought to be.
After an appropriate amount of time – based on your relevant season – test the strength of your turf.
Gently pull on the turf, and see if it lifts off the surface. If so, then you need to wait a bit longer before you can mow.
If the turf stays in place – or, let’s say, the blade of grass you pull on, breaks off – then you can start mowing. This means the turf has firmly established its roots, and you’re good to go.
Now that you’re turf is ready to be mowed, there’s a few things you should know before you start and throughout the lifespan of your turf.
First off, make sure the blades on your mower are sharp. This will ensure a clean cut across each blade of grass, reducing the risk of disease and establishing a neat, clean appearance that will make your lawn stand out.
To sharpen your mower blades, you’ll need to remove the individual blades. Make sure you pull out the spark plug wire before you do this, so that you don’t accidentally start the motor.
Tip the mower on its side, with the air filter and carburettor side facing upwards, so that no oil or gas drips out. Mark each individual blade with some spray paint, so that you know which configuration to reinstall the blades in.
From there, remove the individual blades, and then use a file to sharpen both sides of each blade. Since mower blades are made from relatively soft steel, you’ll only need fewer than 50 strokes to make them sharp. Also, make sure you file in the direction of the original cutting angle.
Lastly, reinstall the blades in the same configuration in which you took them out. Make sure the blades are nice and flat and balanced. Unbalanced blades will cause vibration and reduce the effectiveness of their cutting.
To keep your lawn in pristine condition, only mow about 1/3 of the leaf. This reduces the amount of stress that’s placed on the lawn, allowing it to maintain a firm, consistent grasp on the deep roots.
Mow the grass too low, and you risk exposing the soil to the harsh, natural sunlight, and thereby encouraging the growth of weeds. This will make your life a lot harder, costing you precious time spent on pulling out those nasty strands.
Therefore, keep your lawn at a reasonable height during all seasons, while avoiding the temptation to chop the whole thing off.
When you first lay down your turf, be sure to water it every day; sometimes as much as four times a day, depending on your climate. Doing so will keep the soil healthy and moist and prevent the turf from drying out.
Keep up this routine for at least the first 7 to 14 days, or until the turf has taken the root (i.e. you can no longer lift the turf). After this period, you’ll only really need to water your lawn about once per week.
This way, your lawn will be more drought tolerant, resulting in a better looking and performing lawn all year round.
To request an online quote for new turf in your local area, contact A View Turf today.
Explore our wide range of turf varieties to find the perfect match for you.
A View Turf