Emerald Lawns uses a Blue Ribbon blend of high quality grass seed. The seed is a special formulation of 5 varieties of Kentucky Bluegrass, which is known for its dark, rich color, fine texture, cold and stress tolerance. The seed also contains two varieties of high quality Rye grass, which is quick growing (germination in 7-10 days) and provides a dark green grass in the early spring and late fall.

The combination gives a fast growing, excellent color lawn from early spring to late fall, cold and drought resistance and is well suited in high traffic areas.

Other types of seed are available if you have a particular blend you prefer.  New varieties of seed are being developed constantly.  If you have a special need, we will find the highest quality blend for your needs.

What about Fertilizer

A high quality fertilizer is used during the hydro-seeding operation to help your new lawn start growing.  Your new lawn should be fertilized again in about 6 weeks.  Fertilizing too early will burn the grass, and possibly kill the new lawn. You will know it is time to fertilize, if the new lawn has a light green color.  In no case should you fertilize a new lawn before the Kentucky Blue Grass is at least 1/4" high (the Rye Grass will be much taller).  Expect to fertilize your new lawn in about 6 weeks after Hydroseeding.  The new lawn should then be re-fertilized about every 6 weeks through the summer.   After the lawn is well established, the lawn should continue to be fertilized every 6 to 8 weeks.

The Warranty does not cover a lawn which has been burned because of over fertilizing, or using the wrong fertilizer.

You must put at least 1/2" of water on your lawn immediately after fertilizing for the first time.  If you do not put enough water on your new lawn after fertilizing, your new lawn will burn, and the Warranty will be void.

What Fertilizer should I use?  Contact your nursery.   They can recommend a NEW LAWN fertilizer for your area.  Do not get a fertilizer that contains a weed control.  You may use a weed control fertilizer after you have mowed the lawn 3 times.

Wind and Erosion

Emerald Lawns uses a Tackifier during the seeding process. Tackifier helps stabilize the mulch, and helps keep the mulch and seed where it is sprayed. Tackifier is especially effective on slopes and in moderate winds.

Tell us if you have excessive winds in your area.  We will put extra Tackifier in to help prevent wind erosion.

Watering in the Spring and Fall  A new lawn should be watered 2-3 times each day between the hours of 10 am and 7 p.m. Normally 5 to 7 minutes each watering cycle is sufficient.  The lawn should be kept lightly damp.  Water should not run or puddle on the lawn. Watch the weather, and adjust your watering to keep the mulch lightly damp, not soaking  wet and muddy.

Watering in the Hot Summer  During those hot summer days, a newly planted lawn should be watered about 5 minutes every 4 hours, day and night.   Each sprinkling system is different.  Keep the mulch lightly damp.  Not soaking wet and muddy.  If water is forming pools, cut the watering time down, but still water every 4 hours.

Over watering can create problems with a new lawn. Grass seed can easily be washed away, leaving streaks or bare spots in the lawn. Also, over watering can create puddles, therefore creating pools of seed which will leave grass rings in the lawn.

How soon will my new lawn start to grow?

The Rye Grass will begin to germinate in 7-10 days. The Rye Grass grows quickly, bringing color to your lawn.  In approximately 21 days, the Kentucky Bluegrass will begin to germinate. At that time, you will see the Blue Grass begin to sprout, filling in between the Rye Grass. Seed germination will vary depending upon air and soil temperature, soil type and water conditions.

Be patient, the speed that your will lawn will germinate and grow depends greatly upon the air and soil temperature, soil quality and your watering practices.  You can control the water, but not the weather.

When can I cut my lawn?

Do not cut the lawn for the first time until the grass is approximately 4" high.   The grass should be cut to approximately 2" high.   Don’t be in a hurry to cut your lawn the first time. Give the roots time to take hold.

Be sure the lawn mower blade is sharp.  This will prevent the grass being pulled out by the roots.

What about Weeds.

All soil contains weed seeds. The Hydroseeding process creates excellent growing conditions for weeds.  To help prevent weeds in a new lawn, spray the weeds with a good weed killer, and remove the dead plants about 3 weeks before hydro-seeding.  Weeds will come up after the lawn has been planted. Weeds germinate quicker than grass seed.  Do not be concerned when weeds appear. As the grass becomes established, many weeds can not survive the grass root system. Those that do remain can be controlled and eliminated as part of your normal fertilizing process. Ask your garden center to recommend an appropriate weed & feed product. Do not put fertilizer with a Weed Killer on your new lawn until it has been mowed at least three times.

If Johnson Grass or Crab Grass appear in your lawn, you may want to pull the starts out of the ground as you see them come up.

Warranty

Emerald lawns warrants that high quality ingredients are used for the Hydroseeding process. If the lawn does not establish properly because of product or workmanship, those portions of the lawn that are not growing will be re-seeded.