How To Care for Your New Lawn

Whether you’ve just moved into a new property or have just laid some fresh turf, the first few weeks are crucial when it comes to caring for a new lawn.

Start your new lawn on the right foot by following our new lawn care guide.

What to do when you first get a new lawn

New lawns are delicate, so it’s important to give them as much strength as possible to firm the roots and grow into a healthy green colour.

To do this, soil must be kept constantly moist but never sodden. Overwatering and waterlogging your grass will have the opposite effect, hindering growth and possibly leading to disease.

How often to water new grass seedlings

Once you’ve sown grass seed, light but frequent watering is best. This will encourage germination when the seed is watered at least once per day – or twice per day if the weather is especially dry.

For turfed lawns, daily watering is always advised if recently installed.

As a general rule of thumb, ensure the top couple of centimetres of soil is always moist to the touch. Once the roots have grown deeper, the grass will be capable of finding its own moisture beneath the topsoil – making frequent watering less crucial.

When to cut new lawn

Don’t cut your lawn too early – knowing when to cut new grass is crucial, and you should always wait until the grass is 7 or 8cm tall before you begin your first mow.

For rooted lawns, this typically means waiting around two weeks before giving it its first cut.

When to mow a newly seeded lawn is the same – wait until the length is around 7–8cm, then perform a light mow with your mower’s cutting height set to high.

You must aim to never remove more than one-third of your lawn's grass height. This will ensure the lawn roots stay firm and protect the soil from direct sunlight.

For a more detailed analysis, including the best times of day to mow your lawn during every season, consult our When to Cut Your Grass guide.

How to cut a new lawn

How you cut your lawn is crucial during new lawn care, with a few simple steps to consider that go a long way in protecting your new lawn’s health.

Firstly, ensure that your lawnmower blades are sharp, as blunt blades can tear the turf and expose the lawn to disease.

Next, use your mower’s highest cutting height to ease into mowing – you can lower this as your lawn begins to become stronger, but just make sure you never remove more than one-third grass height.

Depending on the season, you are best mowing at the following times of day with the frequency described:

Spring
Frequency: Once the weather is consistently above 10°, mow every two weeks, then every 10 days, moving to weekly by mid-May/June.
Time of day: Mid-morning or early evening, when grass is dry and not stressed.

Summer
Frequency: Continue weekly mowing.
During hot/dry spells: Switch to every two weeks and raise the cutting height.
Time of day: Early morning or late evening to avoid midday heat.

Autumn
Frequency: Mow weekly or every 10–14 days until early November.
Time of day: Mid-morning or early afternoon, when the lawn is dry.

Winter
Frequency: You should not be mowing at all once the weather is consistently below 10° – which in the UK is typically November time.

Consult our full How to Cut Your Grass mowing guide for more information.

How to fertilise a new lawn

When fertilising a new lawn, timing and choosing the right fertiliser are key.

Look for a pre-seeding or turf-laying fertiliser with a balanced nutrient mix. This is ideal for providing new grass with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium for strong, healthy roots.

After the lawn has been down for about six weeks, apply a gentle, slow-release fertiliser to support continued development. Don’t over-fertilise and be sure to water after application – otherwise you could scorch the grass.

Avoid these new lawn mistakes

• Walking on fresh lawn: It’s best to avoid foot traffic until the grass is fully rooted; if not, you risk damaging the lawn before it has had a chance to fully set.
• Don’t weed too soon: You must wait around two months until you perform any serious de-weeding. Weeding too soon will result in pulling up the unrooted grass along with the weed.

New lawn FAQs

 

When is the best time to water a new lawn?

For every season apart from autumn, it is best to water the lawn during mid-morning or early evening, when grass is dry and not stressed.

In autumn, it is best to mow mid-morning or early afternoon when the grass is dry.

How do I know if my new lawn is over- or under-watered?

If your new lawn is overwatered, you may notice yellowing grass, soggy soil, or even a slimy surface. If it is underwatered, the seedlings may wilt, dry out, or turn brown, and the soil will appear cracked or dusty.

Why should I not cut a new lawn short?

Removing too much grass will weaken it and stunt growth, making it more prone to damage – including disease, drought and weeds.