Water the newly laid sod twice a day until it takes root and bonds with the soil below it (usually 2 to 6 weeks). After the first watering, pull back a corner of the newly laid sod. The original soil beneath it should be moist, but not muddy.
- Mowing – From May through mid September, mow at 2 ½ to 3 inches high. ...
- Clippings – Clippings should not be collected unless they are long and smother the grass. ...
- Watering – Most people tend to over water if they have an automatic sprinkler system without a soil moisture sensor.
How to care for a new sod lawn?
How to Care for New Sod 1 Start With Aggressive Watering. Your lawn needs to be watered deeply, as soon as you’ve laid it. ... 2 Encourage Roots. Your freshly laid lawn needs a steady supply of nutrients to help it grow strong during its first few months. 3 When and How to Mow. ... 4 Weed/Pest Control. ...
How often do you water sod after it takes root?
Water the sod 1-2 times per day for 30 minutes after it has taken root. On weeks 3 and 4, the sod should be rooted and ready for less frequent but longer-in-duration watering sessions. The longer watering times should encourage the roots to continue growing deep.
How often should I aerate my new sod?
Water the sod daily for the first 4 weeks to help it take root, keep the grass blades between 2.75 to 3.5 inches (7.0 to 8.9 cm) long, fertilize the sod once per month, and aerate the sod twice per year.
When should you fertilize new sod?
After you lay your sod, you should water it every day for three days. After those first three days, you should continue to water your sod every other day until it is at least two weeks old. We covered watering your new sod, and now it is time to talk about fertilizing your new sod. Fertilizing your new sod after it has been laid is a good idea.
How do I care for my first year of sod?
New Sod CareProper watering is essential to establishment (rooting) of your new sod. ... As a general rule, keep sod and soil moist all throughout the day. ... Stay off new sod until after the first mowing.Try cutting back frequency of irrigations just before the first mow to firm up the soil.More items...
How long until sod looks normal?
The answer is that the process takes about two weeks for shallow roots and up to six weeks to establish deep root growth. With proper preparation and care your sod will look beautiful and healthy from the start.
How long should you avoid walking on new sod?
If you walk on your sod before its roots have established, you're lessening your chances of success. How long must you wait to use your new sod lawn? The general recommendation is to wait two weeks – but the number of days you wait is really dependent on determining that the lawn has, indeed, taken root.
How do I know if I am overwatering my new sod?
The best way to tell if you've been watering your new sod properly is to check with your finger. The sod should feel sufficiently damp that it is not dry, but it should not be so full of water that it is muddy. If the sod begins to feel like it is heavy from the weight of the water, you may have overwatered it.
Can you overwater sod?
Take care never to overwater the sod while it is in the rooting stage. Soggy sod can lead to root rot and eventually new sod failure. Instead, water the sod in smaller amounts, several times during the day.
Do sod lines go away?
The lines between new sods usually take between 4 and 6 weeks to completely disappear.
How often should you water new sod?
twice per dayIf the weather is particularly hot and dry, you may need to start irrigating the completed areas before the entire site is laid. Continue watering new sod twice per day, in the morning and afternoon—thorough, deep watering is best until the soil is saturated but not puddling.
What to do after sod is laid?
THE FIRST 5 STEPS TO TAKE AFTER YOUR NEW SOD IS INSTALLEDWater Immediately and Deeply. Each square of sod needs to be soaked thoroughly with water within 30 minutes of it being laid out on the ground. ... Roll the Sod. ... Check the Soil. ... Mow When Necessary. ... Avoid Chemical Treatments.
How long do you have to water new sod daily?
Your new lawn needs to be watered twice a day, for about 20 minutes per session every day for at least two months. This should be enough so that your lawn gets a solid six inches of watering per cycle.
How can you tell if sod is dying?
If it tugs, it is dormant; but if it rips out in your hand, it is dead. Look for patterns. If a whole solid strip of your lawn is brown, it could be dormant grass. If the brown is in patches that do not resemble strips, the grass is dead.
Will yellow sod turn green again?
Yellow dying sod can be revived and become green again. However, before you rush to remedy yellow dying sod, make sure that you identify the cause before jumping to the assumption that your lawn isn't getting enough water.
Is it normal for sod to Brown?
Areas where sod is wilting or turning brown, indicate that it's not getting enough water. New sod must get plenty of water to establish its roots. Typically, you water fresh grass at least twice a day (more often if hot) for at least a week to two weeks. Water needs to soak the soil for a depth of at least ½ inch.