Soil Preparation
1. Grade the soil so water will drain away from your home, and fill in low areas so water wont puddle.
2. Install a permanent underground sprinkler system with uniform, head to head water coverage (where one sprinkler head will spray onto the head of the nearest sprinklers).
3. Incorporate soil amendments (mulch, etc) to improve the soil and save water.
4. Apply a light coating of fertilizer at ½ the recommended rate before rolling out the turf to help it root in quicker. For 15-15-15 fertilizer that would be 3lbs per 1000 sqft.
5. If the soil is dry, turn on the sprinklers to get some moisture in the soil before installing turf, not too much to where it gets muddy.
6. DO NOT APPLY a fertilzer mixed with a pre-emergent or Weed-N-Feed fertilizer during the first year on newly installed turf.
Turf Installation
1. Turf is perishable, install as soon as possible after delivery. Install across the slope in a brick like pattern to prevent washouts.
2. Water newly installed turf immediately. On large lawns sprinkle with a garden hose after each pallet is installed.
3. For the FIRST WATERING soak the turf thoroughly.
4. For the FIRST TWO WEEKS apply enough water to keep the turf moist, but not saturated. During the hot summer months thats watering twice a day preferably in the early morning and then in the evening after it cools down.
5. Make sure every part gets water. Corners and edges are problem areas, apply a little extra water to these areas with a garden hose if needed.
6. Check dry spots with a screwdriver. If its harder to push a screwdriver into a dry spot than into nearby green turf, that spot isn’t getting enough water.
7. Check to make sure your sprinkler system has uniform, head-to-head coverage. A straight sided can (empty soup or tuna can) placed on a dry spot can verify how much water a dry spot is getting.