Plant & Sod

The following are guidelines, as soil conditions will differ.

Watering Guidelines for Trees and Shrubs

First Week: Water Daily for 60 minutes with a lawn sprinkler or soaker hose. Lawn irrigation systems are not sufficient.

Second thru Sixth Week: Water three weekly for 60 minutes.

REMEMBER: During dry conditions, follow the SECOND THRU SIXTH WEEK instructions. Allow for wet conditions, turn down sprinklers as necessary.

Pruning

1. Plants will need pruning when branches duplicate or rub against more important branches.

2. Prune any damaged branch.

3. Removing older branches of shrubs each year will encourage new, more vigorous branching and better

flowering.

4. Trees and Shrubs that flower in the spring form their buds the previous summer, so they need to be pruned

after the flowers have faded.

5. Trees and Shrubs that flower in the summer develop their blossom buds on new growth, so they may be

pruned in winter or spring before growth starts.

6. Evergreens should be pruned in late spring. Prune half the new growth to keep the shrub full.

Fertilizing Trees and Shrubs

First year: No fertilizing is needed. The plant should have been fertilized when planted.

Second year and on: Fertilize in May with a 10-6-4, 8-8-8 or similar fertilizer. In October, fertilize with 5-10-5.

Mulching

Mulches should be loose and porous. Mulch should be 1 inch thick in flower gardens, 2-4 inches in vegetable

gardens, shrub, evergreen, and tree beds. Mulch should not be touching the trunk of a tree or shrub; it can

cause rotting of the plant’s bark and possibly kill the plant.


Weeds

Mulching, cultivating, hoeing and using a chemical like Preen to prevent seed germination can reduce weeds.

Sodded Areas

NOTE: Newly installed Sod should NOT be fertilized or aerated within the first year.

Areating: Should not be done within first year. There after preferably in the spring or fall, but no more than once per year.

Cutting: Keep Sod at an average of 2inches in height, never cutting off more that 1/3 of the height. During the season that the sod is being watered, cut grass a minimum of twice a month.

Fertilization: Should be applied while sod is moist on a calm dry morning. The spreader should never be filled over the lawn area or when ‘on’. Fertilize at the first sign of spring and then feed the same amount every six weeks in to the fall, until watering has been shut off. Fertilizer should be applied per manufacture recommendations.

Weed Control: As needed, recommended that application be done in spring if weeds become apparent, using selective herbicides.

Insect and Disease Control: As needed, if insects or disease becomes apparent, using selective insecticides and fungicides.

Seeded Areas

Native Seed/Dryland Grasses do not require fertilization and may need weed control or insect and disease control as needed.

Once established Native Seed/Dryland Grasses do not require scheduled watering.

Watering Schedule

Below are some recommendations that may help you with you watering schedule for your newly installed new sod.

SOD LAWNS

Initial watering program:

  1. After installation the sod should be watered thoroughly and the underlying soil should always be sufficiently moist. It is recommended that you water at least three times daily, preferably at 8am, 11am and 4:30pm, for 10 to 15 minutes on each zone. Watch sod closely as the edges of sod strips and pieces along sidewalks and driveways are first to dry out. These areas may require some spot watering to help the roots knit with the soil.
  2. Continue to water in this manner until sod has knitted with soil, generally this takes about 2 weeks. Avoid all animal and foot traffic as it can slow or damage the establishment of a sod lawn as well as leaving divots and/or imprints in the moist soil.
  3. When sod is 2 ½ to 3 inches long it is time for the first mowing. It is suggested to plan your mowing time and skip one watering before you mow. At this time watering should be cut back to 2 times a day, preferably at 8am and 4:30pm, still using 10 to 15 minutes on each zone for another 2 weeks.

Established Lawns:

  1. After the first month it is highly recommend that you continue to water every day in the PM if allowed by the State of CO. A slow, deep soaking to a depth of about 6” will encourage the development of a deep healthy root system.
  2. In the winter when the grass is dormant, normal weather condition usually provide sufficient moisture. If there are several weeks without moisture it may be necessary to water.

SEED LAWNS

Initial watering program:

  1. The aim in this initial watering program is to keep the seed bed moist. Watering twice a day may be sufficient, but on hot summer days it is usually necessary to water three times per day. Avoid puddling and washing, while still watering thoroughly.
  2. Continue to water in this manner until the grass is about 1” tall. At this time a heavier daily watering is recommended.
  3. When grass grows to about 2” it is time for the first mowing. At this time a heavier watering of just 3 times per week is suggested.

Established Lawns: Same as for sod lawns