Whether it’s plants or pavers, both living and non-living elements of your new landscape require post-care.
For living elements like sod, the first 4~8 weeks after a new landscape installation are critical. Improper follow-up care is the number one reason that lawn establishment fails.
Pavers and other area installations also need time to solidify and settle. No one wants a slightly sunken corner, permanently, in their new driveway. No matter the element, a new landscape design requires post-installation care.
Post-Care for a Landscape Installation: Your New Lawn
Don’t walk on new lawns! And only cut lawns after they have taken root. Let them take root with careful watering. Under- or over-watering are very destructive to new lawns.
Poor drainage, lower temperatures, and rainy weather require less watering. Too much water, which is a great concern in Central Florida, can cause fungus to grow. On rainy days, reduce or skip watering altogether. On the other end of the spectrum, dry, browning grass is a sign of dangerous under-watering.
We suggest the following watering schedule. It is only a guide. Adjust watering according to your landscape conditions and on the advice of your Classicscape lead.
Suggested Watering Schedule for the Sunniest Florida Days
In general, start your first morning watering as early as you can. Try to avoid watering into the evening, when there is very little sunlight left in the day. This can encourage fungus.
Again: on rainy days, reduce watering.
For dense grasses like St. Augustine and Zoysia that take longer to establish roots:
- Water 3 times a day for the first 7 days – up to 15 minutes if you have spray-type sprinklers, up to 25 minutes for rotor sprinklers
- Reduce watering to 2 times a day for the next 7 days
- Water once a day in the mornings until lawn is established
- Once established, water 2 times a week
In heavily shaded areas:
- Water once a day in the morning – up to 20 minutes for spray-type, up to 40 for rotor
For humidity-loving grass species like Bahia:
- Water once a day in the morning – up to 30 minutes for spray-type sprinklers, 45 minutes for rotor
Suggested Watering Schedule for Spring/Fall
Continue watering grasses like Bahia as you would a hot, sunny day.
For St. Augustine and Zoysia:
- Water 2 times a day for the first 14 days – up to 25 minutes for spray-type sprinklers, 35 minutes for rotor
- Water once a day in the mornings until lawn is established
In heavily shaded areas, water once a day in the morning – up to 20 minutes for spray-type, up to 40 minutes for rotor.
Suggested Watering Schedule When Temps Drop Below 75 F
Water once a day until rooted.
- St. Augustine/Zoysia – up to 30 minutes for spray-type, up to 60 minutes for rotor
- Bahia – up to 30 minutes for spray-type sprinklers, 45 minutes for rotor
Once rooted, water 2 times a week.
