Lawns - New House, New Lawn

Hi there- Having a hosue built and settling at the end of the month. I'm moving from an urban area where there was no grass for me to worry about to the country where I have quite a bit of lawn to take care of. Needless to say, I am out of my element! My question is: the builder has seeded the lawn as of last week. If all goes well I will be the owner come the first of november. Is there anything that I can/should do once I am the owner as a little insurance for a better lawn? The house is located in Southern New Jersey.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

A lot depends on how late the seed was put down.Nov is too late to do any seeding other than winter rye which would act as a cover but die off next spring.If the seed was put down early enough to establish well before leaf fall then just get the leaves up and off of it but if the seed has not established well you'll have to be very delicate with raking and will still cause some damage.

If the lawn is well established and does survive raking fairly well apply some winter formula fertilizer somewhere around Thanksgiving to Xmas.

If the seed hasn't established well enough to get through raking etc very well you'll have to overseed in the spring.You also need to think about crabgrass control which is done with a preemergent product in late winter or early spring.these work by killing seed so you have a choice to make.Use the normal version of the product and hope that the 6 weeks you have to wait isn't a problem,seed or go after crabgrass but don't do both this spring or Scott's makes a crabgrass control you can put down with seed.This product is only sold by Scott's Lawn Pro Dealers,which are never big box stores.It costs more,is a specific product labeled as such and as far as I know no other brand has one.

I suggest you locate a nearby hardware store or garden center,preferably a Scott's Lawn Pro,and that has knowledgeable saleshelp.there you can get advice and find out what works best in your area,the best time for application etc.

Thanks for the info. I'll scout out for a place nearby to get info particular to this area. A few more questions if you don't mind:
Not a lot leaves in the development so i don't foresee having to do much raking. That being said, is a leaf blower a better alternative to the rake when worrying about the seed? Also, how long do you leave the straw on top of the seed? When I rake should I be leaving that in place (as best as I can)?

Thanks.

You would have to sort of play by ear a leaf blower.Past a certain point it probably would be a better choice especially if it's a low amount of leaves which would limit how much effort it took to move them and how much time was spent on any one point.

The hay is supposed to basically rot into the soil.You don't actually have to let it but pulling it up would be rough on the grass.Just go for the leaves that cover the new grass.

In the very least I would put down fall fertilizer. I will not hurt but could help if the seed is growing. Do not hesitate to complain to builder in spring if the lawn did not take as they put it in late - was it hydroseeded?

IMO you should over fertilize a little bit to get it established.

Be careful in the srping as crabgrass preventer will prevent good seed from growing. Also young grass can be killed by weed control fetilizers. Your best bet next year may be 5 applications of straight fertilizer. Nothing wrogin with pulling weeds by hand.