New lawn advice

Hi,

I'm having my turf delivered this coming wednesday. I have raked, levelled, raked, levelled, put top soil down and raked and levelled some more!! I have removed any larger stones (there are some very small ones left, but they are no bigger than the end of your finger). As its been rainign a lot recently i;m assuming i dont need to water before laying it? Also, once its layed i know i need to water it regularly - what constitutes regularly? I have a sprinkler that attaches to the hose so i was going to put it on each evening for a couple of hours (lawned area will be 36 sq.m.) - would that be ok? Do i need to treat the new lawn with fertiliser? If so, when and how often - any recommended brands?
Last of all, when do i start cutting the new lawn and how often?

Many Thanks and sorry for the long list of questions!!

 

When I laid turf a few years ago a watered it morning and night (with a watering can I might add!) for weeks. It was earlier in the year (April) but it was still sunny and it didn't do it any harm. Make it early in the morning though to be on the safe side...although with this dull, overcast weather at the moment you shouldn't have too much to worry about!

Cutting and fertilising, not sure. Have read about various heights for the blades on the mower for new (seeded) grass and turf but can't remember.

Hopefully someone properly knowledgeable will be along to advise shortly.

 

A lot of very good advice has already been given. All I can add is the fairly obvious point that it's best to avoid walking on new turf until it's rooted unless you really have to.

If you have to walk across it, imagine that you're treading on carpet tiles laid loosely on a slippery floor! If you need to stand on your new turf e.g. to work in your borders, it's worth putting down a few old boards as a platform to spread the weight and reduce the shear forces of you working.

I have an old piece of waterproof plywood about 4ft X 2ft that I stand on when working in one spot and this avoids chewing up the grass at vulnerable times of the year, e.g. when it's very wet or very dry.

 

Well thank you all for the advice! Marley farley your advice was very indepth and i appreciate the comment about the hover mower. we prob would have got one of those but i will borrow my grandmas 'normal' mower for the time being. Is a hover mower ok once established?

 

Don't forget to take a photograph when it's first laid as it can look so impressive - instant lawn.

 

Thank you all so much! You've been really helpful and i appreciate it!

 

The most useful tool when laying turf is a serrated edged bread knife, but don't tell the wife!

 

:hehe: i am the wife (well girlfriend anyway)!!!
I would just use it then give it a bloody good clean, OH will never know the difference (mostly cos 1. he hardly ever cooks and 2. he prob isnt even aware of what knives we actually own!!)
I will certainly take some pics and upload them onto here (unless it goes horribly wrong cos ive never laid turf before!