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Caring for your Newly Hydro-Seeded Lawn If you have questions or need further information, please contact the City of Midland Engineering Department 837-3348 The City of Midland recognizes that City projects like curb repair or a water main replacement can really do a number on your outlawn. In order to restore your outlawn to its original condition, we like to apply Hydro-Seed to the work area once we have finished the project. Hydro-Seed is a mixture of seed, water, fertilizer and wood fiber that provides a moist and protected environment to help your grass grow. You can help us bring your outlawn back green and beautiful by watering, fertilizing and mowing according to the helpful tips in this guide. ---PAGE BREAK--- MAINTAINING HYDRO- SEED IN SHADED AREAS Shaded areas require some additional effort to assure healthy turf. Turf in these areas generally suffer in three ways: PREVENTING WEEDS Weeds will likely appear in your new lawn. The weeds come from seeds that have lain dormant in the soil or that have been carried in by wind or birds. Weeds are best controlled by growing good, healthy grass. Properly watered, mowed and well- fertilized grass provides too much competition for weed plants to gain any stronghold. Once you have mowed the new lawn area three or more times, it should be safe to apply a weed killer if you so desire. Be sure to follow label directions. Once Hydro-Seed has been applied, there are a few things that you can do to help your outlawn thrive: WATER Keep the lawn moist at all times by sprinkling it The first 14 days are the most important. If the germinating seedlings dry out, they will die. FERTILIZE A commercial fertilizer was applied with your hydro- seed. This initial application of fertilizer should provide the nutrients needed to give the young grass seedlings a healthy start. An additional application of fertilizer should be applied every three to four weeks during the growing season. MOW A new lawn should be mowed as soon as the grass blades are 2” to 3” high. Delaying the first cutting will cause long grass blades to bend over and make the lawn look shabby. Subse- quent mowing should be done often. Keep the lawn mower blades sharp to prevent bruised and torn grass that results in brown spots. Tree root systems tend to rob nutrients from the grass blades. Lack of sunlight caused by the shading effect of the trees. Fallen leaves create a matted condition that prevents the turf from being adequately exposed to sunlight and air. Thoroughly fertilizing trees and heavily fertilizing the turf can provide adequate nutrients for turf. Leaves should be raked early in the spring while the tree branches are still bare to allow the maximum amount of sunlight to reach this grass which is generally shaded through the remainder of the growing season. Hydro-Seeded Lawn Care Tips