When is a new ryegrass and fescue lawn ready for its first mow?
New to lawn Reno’s (first house).
I did a full Reno, killed off old, rotary hoed, rolled it and then added new top soil before seeding. My grass is roughly 7-10 days post germination and so I have a few questions.
1) Given the time of year, when would be best to mow? I used a rye grass and fescue seed mix as well as NZLA granular starter fert
2) My soil layer seems quite soft. I know it is still quite damp from the watering etc but we have no rain forecast for the next 6 days in Palmerston North. Do I lay off the watering and try to dry the soil so I can mow or am I better to keep up the watering to promote growth and mow later?
3) what’s a good watering schedule once I have good seed growth?
I own both a lawn master rotary mower and a 2005 lawn master 400 reel mower. Which is best to mow new grass with?
Useful guides on site. It’s a good read
https://www.newzealandlawnaddicts.com/lawn-tips/lawn-renovation-guide/
https://www.newzealandlawnaddicts.com/lawn-tips/lawn-care-101-getting-the-basics-right/
https://www.newzealandlawnaddicts.com/lawn-tips/how-to-water-your-lawn/
Timing isn't the best being the second week of winter. Back off the watering for now. You're spot on about the soft soil concern, soft soil plus mower weight equals ruts you'll be looking at for a year. Six dry days forecast is the perfect window to let the surface firm up. The soil will be holding enough moisture this time of the year. I would hold off cutting for at lease 3-4 weeks. When it reaches 75mm cut it back to 50mm.Don't try and use a reel mower this time of the year.