New Lawn Care Guide

Seeded Lawn

A seeded lawn takes at least one full year to fill uniformly throughout your yard and often two years are needed to develop a thick lawn. In the first season, there may be a weed problem; even though quality topsoil was used. Weeds can be easily controlled using proper fertilization and a weed control program AFTER your new lawn has grown in. We would be happy to provide you with this service for an added cost through our treatment entity, Lee’s Premium Greens.

Proper watering is crucial for any type of new lawn: seeded, hydroseeded or sod

Watering - Once grass seed is planted, sprayed or sod is put down, proper watering is a must. Wait 24 hours to water new hydroseed, and water REGULARLY thereafter. Hand casted or broadcasted seed MUST be watered at once and all types of grass seed MUST BE watered regularly. A regular watering regiment must be followed for any type of new lawn. Grass seed is generally a blend of types with different rates of germination for each therefore, do not stop watering once grass begins to grow. Continue watering. Even after a new lawn is well on its way, watering should be continued, as it is essential for a healthy lawn with vigorous, deep root growth. Proper watering should be part of a regular lawn maintenance program throughout the growing season. Adequate water can be defined as enough water to keep moisture in the soil at a depth of 1 to 2 inches at all times.

Mowing – New grass should be allowed to grow to 3 ½” before the first mowing. At that time, it should be cut to 3” and the clippings should be picked up. Next mowing on new lawns, and regular mowing on established lawns, should be done so that no more than 1/3 of the grass blade is removed at one time. Mowing too short is a common cause of poor unhealthy lawns.

Other Rules of Thumb in New Lawn Care

• Weed controls should be avoided until the lawn has been mowed 3-5 times.
• Fertilizer application can generally begin after the 4^th
• De-thatching of a new lawn is usually not needed for 3 years after installation.
• Core aeration of your lawn can be a good part of any lawn maintenance program and can be done the first season after a new lawn installation.
• Heavily shaded lawns that get less than 3-4 hours of direct sunlight or all day filtered sunlight can be generally thin and unsuccessful. The installation of shade-tolerant groundcover is strongly suggested over installation of turf grass.

Lee’s Landscaping Inc. PLANT WARRANTY

• All plants we sell are grown to professional nursery standards and state inspected to be free of defect and disease when you purchase them. All we ask is that you follow the care instructions our professional staff gives you knowing that seasonal weather concerns and extremes may require more care.
• Your listed plant material carries a one-year warranty from the date of purchase against loss or damage from unexplained causes. These causes DO NOT include damage that has been done or may have been caused by people, animals, mechanical damage, chemicals, fire, tornado, drought and other extreme weather conditions, environmental factors, lack of proper watering, frost, freeze, winter kill, neglect or other factors beyond the control of Lee’s Landscaping Inc. Disease and Insect Damage are beyond our control when in your care and are NOT under warranty.
• We reserve the right to refuse any return, exchange, or replacement we deem was the result of sheer neglect, and we limit our liability to the price you paid for the plant. It is your responsibility to keep this warranty with your store receipt so that you may present it when making a claim.
• Any plant we deem replaceable carries a one-time replacement of the same plant or a plant of equal value. Replacement plants do not carry a warranty.

Azaleas, Holly, Pieris, Rhododendron, all Roses, Groundcovers, Perennials, Annuals, Butterfly Bushes, Hibiscus shrub form and tree form, Ornamental Grasses and Clearance items do not carry warranty.

The most important thing we grow is a good relationship with our customers. We stand behind our plants. Our team is composed of knowledgeable and caring Michigan Certified Nurserymen and landscape technicians. With reasonable maintenance and care, you can enjoy the growth and beauty of our plants for years.

44 S. Bay Port Road Bay Port, MI 48720 - 989.453.3919 - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Planting and Care of Your New Plants

It is very important that you continue the good care your plant has previously received before purchase. Be sure to water your plant while it is in the container until it is planted in the ground. The plant should not be allowed to wilt prior to planting as the roots and plant could be damaged beyond repair. Decide where it will be planted. Be sure the drainage, the light and amount of room available for it to grow to maturity are all correct.

Once you are sure that everything is set, it is time to dig the hole. Dig a hole two times the width of the container the plant was in. Prepare the removed soil by mixing it with the recommended soil amendment to create the proper growing medium. Mix two parts peat to one part composted manure and one part existing soil together to refill the hole.

If plant is in a plastic container remove it. If the plant is in a peat pot, it can be planted in the pot however you will need to tear off the top edge and slit the sides and bottom open. Place the plant in the hole with the top of the root ball even with ground level. Be sure it is straight in the hole with the plant facing just the way you want it. Now fill the hole with the prepared soil. Tamp the soil around the root ball firmly to prevent air pockets, but not enough to compact the soil too much. Form a water basin with a 2” mound of soil around the outer edge of the plant like a moat.

Gently soak the soil around the root ball with water until well saturated. Add a 1-2” layer of mulch over the planted area. Continue to water the plant consistently throughout the growing season. Water your plants at least three times a week with a slow running hose for about 20-45 minutes per plant depending on soil type and plant size. Extreme weather conditions may require more water or less water depending. Your lawn irrigation system is not a replacement for this kind of individual plant care. Continue this regular watering of your plants until there is frost in the ground. Evergreens particularly require this late season watering to prevent foliage from drying out over the winter months. Large trees and those planted in the fall require these new plant watering techniques throughout the following growing season to root in well.

If you have planted your new plants properly, all they need to survive and thrive in the years to come is the right amount of water, a balanced fertilizer suitable to the type of plant applied in the spring, a little pruning and proper winterizing. A little effort now will pay big dividends in the future. Enjoy!

Maintenance Services

Need professional help maintaining your current or new landscape? Lee's Landsaping Inc. offers a full range of services provided by our experienced and professional care members. 

Call for an estimate 989.453.3919

Contract Pricing is available

MAINTENANCE SERVICES

Spring Cleanup

Weekly Lawn Mowing

Shrub Trimming

Fall Cleanup