Watering:
- Reduce frequency to every 2–3 days, ensuring the soil stays moist to a depth of 10cm. Varieties like Empire Zoysia and Defender Hybrid Bermuda are drought-tolerant but still need consistent moisture during establishment.
- If there’s heavy rain, skip watering to avoid saturation.
First Mow:
- Mow for the first time around 3–4 weeks, once the roots have anchored (test by gently tugging the turf). Set the mower to a high setting (e.g., 35mm for buffalo grasses like Sir Walter or Sapphire, 20mm for QLD Green Couch or Defender Hybrid Bermuda).
- Never cut more than 1/3 of the grass height at once to avoid stress.
Fertilizing:
- Apply a starter fertilizer (high in nitrogen, like NPK 16-20-0) 4 weeks after laying to encourage root growth. Use about 20g per square meter, and water in well.
- Avoid over-fertilizing, as it can burn the turf.
Weed Control:
- Hand-pull any weeds that appear. Avoid herbicides for the first 6 months, as new turf is sensitive. Varieties like Empire Zoysia naturally resist weeds once established.