how do you maintain new bermuda sod

However, for new Bermuda sods that have been just laid and the root system is yet to establish in the lawn, follow the steps as mentioned below:

• 1. Apply one inch of water immediately after the sod is laid.
• 2. Water the sod daily and ensure that the top one inch of soil is kept moist. ...
• 3. After that, apply one-fourth inch of water every third day for nine days.
• 4. Next apply one-half inch of water every fifth day for ten days.

Full Answer

How long do you have to water Bermuda sod?

Sprinkle the new Bermuda sod immediately after it is laid in place. Sprinkle at least one inch of water on the new Bermuda for the first watering. Again, this could take an hour or more. Water the sod so it is damp but not soggy for 14 days, or until new growth is obvious.

When to put pre emergent on Bermuda grass?

When To Put Down Pre-emergent On Bermuda Grass? You should apply pre-emergent during the early spring and fall season for the best effectiveness. Ideally, when the temperature remains around 65°F to 75°F for three to five consecutive days at least, you need to apply the pre-emergent herbicide.

How to properly fertilize Bermuda grass lawns?

• In the spring (March - May), and fall (September - November) bermudagrass should only be watered if there is an unexpected hot dry period or if the grass is curling ...
• During the summer, give your lawn at least 1.25 inches of water per week. ...
• Water grass in the morning to avoid burning the grass.

How often do you have to water Bermuda grass?

It’s advisable to water your Bermuda grass deeply and infrequently. Since this turfgrass species typically needs an inch of water every seven days, consider irrigating the lawn with an inch of water on just a single day of the week, every week. This is as opposed to applying a quarter inch of water for four consecutive days.

How do you care for fresh laid Bermuda sod?

Watering Bermuda SodApply one inch of water immediately after the sod is laid.Water the sod daily and ensure that the top one inch of soil is kept moist. ... After that, apply one-fourth inch of water every third day for nine days.Next apply one-half inch of water every fifth day for ten days.More items...

Should you fertilize newly laid Bermuda sod?

You will want to wait 30 days after installing your new sod to apply fertilizer, to give it time to take root and acclimate to your yard.

How long does it take for Bermuda sod to establish?

One of the benefits of laying Bermuda sod is how quickly you will see results! New sod should root within 10-14 days of application. This is also when you should mow your new lawn for the first time after laying sod.

How do you care for sod once it is installed?

0:002:05How to maintain your lawn after installing fresh sod - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipOnce your sod is installed to keep your lawn looking its best you'll want to follow a steadyMoreOnce your sod is installed to keep your lawn looking its best you'll want to follow a steady maintenance schedule maintenance steps you take now will improve the appearance. And performance of your

How often should I water new Bermuda sod?

Spring and Summer guidelines for sod care or new Bermuda sod installed green. KEEP IT GREEN: Upon installation, water immediately. For two weeks after, water 15 minutes twice every midday, and 20 minutes every evening. The grass is established when it can't be pulled up from the ground.

What does overwatering sod look like?

Brown, Wilting Grass Blades. Yellow or brown and wilting grass can be a sign of overwatered new sod. This is a tricky one. Some Florida homeowners notice brown spots in new sod and panic, dumping even more water on their lawn, assuming it's too dry.

Can you overwater new sod?

New sod does need to be watered more often than established grass to ensure that it will take root, but it is possible to put too much water on the sod. Too much water on your sod could make it soggy, which prevents it from establishing a strong root system.

When should I mow my new Bermuda sod?

After the sod has fully rooted (approximately 3 weeks), regular mowing can commence. For best results, never cut more than 1/3 of the grass blade per mowing and maintain sharp mower blades. Cutting frequency will need to be increased during the faster growing seasons of spring and fall.

Will sod come back after turning brown?

However, brown grass is not necessarily dead. Grass can turn brown due to death or dormancy. Typically, grass turns brown and stays dormant for about six weeks or even longer before it dies. You can encourage your sod to come out of dormancy by fixing the problem that triggered the dormant phase to begin with.

How long should you stay off 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.

Do you put fertilizer on new sod?

Should I fertilize new sod? Absolutely! New lawns thrive with the application of quality fertilizer, which works to help create and maintain a sustainable root system that will keep your yard lush for years to come.

Can you walk on fresh sod?

When can you start walking on new sod? You can start walking on your new sod once shallow rooting takes place, typically after about 14 days. To check whether rooting has occurred, gently lift one of the edges of your sod and note the resistance as you lift.

Whats the best fertilizer for Bermuda sod?

BEST OVERALL: Scotts Southern Turf Builder Lawn Food.BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Lawn Food, 5 lb.BEST ORGANIC: Milorganite 0636 Organic Nitrogen Fertilizer 32-Pound.BEST WITH SPRAYER: Simple Lawn Solutions Lawn Energizer Micronutrient.More items...•

How do you fertilize newly laid sod?

Sprinkle fertilizer onto the surface of your newly laid sod the day after you lay the sod. ... Water your lawn. ... Mow your newly laid sod one week after it has been installed. ... Fertilize the sod a second and final time, approximately six weeks after you have laid it down.More items...

What is the best fertilizer for newly laid sod?

NEW SOD LAWNS A fertilizer with an adequate amount of phosphorus is best. Apply fertilizer with a listing of 16-16-16 (rate: 6.5 lbs / 1000 sq. ft.) or 10-20- 20 (rate: 10 lbs / 1000 sq.

Can you overwater Bermudagrass?

Bermuda grass lawns can be damaged or killed by overwatering. Grasses need moist—not marshy or muddy—soil to grow effectively. Overwatered Bermuda grass can be afflicted with root rot, mold, and other diseases. Subtract rainfall from watering needs to prevent overwatering.

How tall should Bermuda grass be?

After your initial “buzz-cut”, begin mowing your bermuda grass at the desired height of .5–1.5 inches.

How to prevent crabgrass and goosegrass from growing in my lawn?

WEED CONTROL. Apply a pre-emergent herbicide when soil temperatures reach 55 degrees Fahrenheit. This will prevent summer annual weeds like crabgrass and goosegrass from plaguing your lawn and garden.

How to control white grubs?

Check for and control any white grubs. Apply Merit to prevent grub worms and apply GrubEx or Dylox 6.2 to treat grub worms. If you use a granular variety, water the lawn immediately after application to help soil absorption. Calculate that watering into your weekly watering amount. August is the best time to control grubs because they are small and feeding near the soil surface. Other insects to look out for include billbugs, mole crickets, chinch bugs and nematodes.

What fertilizer should I use for my lawn in spring?

For optimal results, feed your lawn during the spring season by applying Lawnifi Foundation, a granular fertilizer, or the Lawnifi Spring Fertilizer Box.

How to get rid of dead spots in spring?

Consider mapping those areas because fungicide treatment can be expensive. If you use a granular variety, water the lawn immediately after application to help soil absorption.

What is the best way to control broadleaf weeds?

Products containing multiple broadleaf active ingredients are more effective in controlling broadleaf weeds. INSECT CONTROL. Apply a broad-spectrum insecticide to prevent spring insects from appearing or to control any current spring insects like chinch bugs, billbugs, mole crickets or white grubs.

How often should I feed my lawn fertilizer?

For optimal results, feed your lawn monthly during the fall season by applying the Lawnifi’s Fall Fertilizer Box or apply Lawnifi Foundation once every three months.

How Can I Keep My Sod From Drying Out?

Dry soil will suck the water out of the sod leaving it under-watered and prone to failure. One way to prevent your new sod from drying out is by watering the ground soil prior to installation. It is also a good idea to install the sod early in the day, or in the evening when the ground is cool. Lower ground temperatures will help prevent new sod roots from going into shock and it will help them to retain their moisture.

How Long Should You Avoid Walking On New Sod?

You should keep pets, children, and everyone else off of newly plant sod until at least the first mowing. Watering the sod at regular intervals will help the roots to establish themselves, and until they are firmly entrenched, your sod is vulnerable. Walking on the sod before the roots have taken cold can cause root failure or poor rooting.

Should New Sod Turn Brown?

New sod in general is very healthy and should not turn brown. But carefully caring for new sod is absolutely critical. Like any living thing, sod is perishable and will need to be installed as soon as possible. If the installers wait too long, the sod may start to die and it will begin to turn brown.

What Fertilizer Is Best For Sod?

New sod should be fertilized approximately five weeks after it was installed. Caring for new sod doesn’t only entail proper watering and mowing, it also includes extra root nourishment. Fertilizing the sod will help the roots continue to establish themselves and it will also support healthy growth. The type of fertilizer you use will depend mainly on the sod you have installed, and the type of soil on your property.

Why is my new sod turning brown?

Drought or lack of adequate moisture will also cause new sod to turn brown. If the roots are not getting the moisture they need, they enter a state of dormancy. During the dormant stage, new sod will become brown, however, if it is not watered, it will die. Anytime you notice new sod with brown patches, there is a problem that is generally linked with moisture or lack of proper nutrients. If the new sod is mostly yellow, it can still be saved. New sod that is mostly brown will be much harder to revive.

Is It Possible To Overwater Sod?

Grass loves water, however, new sod is different. It is possible to overwater new sod, and it can even happen easier than you expect. New sod has very short roots which makes it harder for it to retain a lot of moisture. It is better to water new sod in a short burst with less, as opposed to large amounts of water at once. Overwatering new sod will prevent the roots of the sod from getting the oxygen they need to thrive. If you are planting new sod in warm weather, overwatering can also lead to disease. One way to tell if your sod is being overwatered is to check the bottom of the soil a few minutes after watering. If the soil under the sod is still soggy five minutes after your watering session has ended, chances are you are overwatering your new sod.

How to prevent Bermuda grass from scalping?

Preventing a Bermuda grass lawn from becoming scalped is really only accomplished effectively in utilizing a reel mower. Otherwise, with a traditional lawn mower to work with, the level of the cutting blade will likely need to be raised.

When is Bermuda grass dormant?

Fall is the point of the year to allow a Bermuda grass lawn to be dormant, mowing it only on rare occasions.

How high should Bermuda grass be?

Optimally, Bermuda grass should be reduced to a height of only one to one-and-a-half inches. The vast majority of lawn mowers simply are not able to mow so low to ...

What grass is used for golf fairways?

Typically, Bermuda grass is the one selected for golf fairways or putting greens around the South of the United States.

Why do you aerate Bermuda grass?

In aerating a Bermuda grass lawn, the nutrients will be more capable of getting down to the roots. Also, punching holes in the soil permits oxygen, water, and various other nutrients to reach to the lawn’s roots.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Bermuda grass?

Among them are its tendencies towards aggressive growth, a minimum level of maintenance, and tolerance for extreme heat, sun, and drought. The disadvantages of this family of varieties lies in the brown shade ...

Do you need to water Bermuda grass?

So watering a Bermuda lawn will become a necessity. Ascertaining whether or not a Bermuda grass lawn is in need of water is possible, if you know what to look for. When a yard with Bermuda grass is thirsty, its blades will actually bow down ...

How long does it take to water Bermuda sod?

Sprinkle at least one inch of water on the new Bermuda for the first watering. Again, this could take an hour or more. Water the sod so it is damp but not soggy for 14 days, or until new growth is obvious.

Is Bermuda a drought tolerant soil?

Once established, Bermuda is fairly drought-tolerant, but it grows best when the soil is damp but not soggy. Once established, Bermuda is fairly drought-tolerant, but it grows best when the soil is damp but not soggy. Larry Parr has been a full-time professional freelance writer for more than 30 years.

Is Bermuda sod good for a lawn?

Few things spruce up the looks of a home faster than a new sod lawn, and Bermuda sod is one of the heartier warm-weather grass varieties. Bermuda sod makes a lawn look thick, full and vibrantly alive--provided that you water it properly. The roots of a new Ber muda sod lawn need just the right amount of water to overcome the shock ...

Is Bermuda sod good for warm weather?

Few things spruce up the looks of a home faster than a new sod lawn, and Bermuda sod is one of the heartier warm-weather grass varieties. The roots of a new Bermuda sod lawn need just the right amount of water to overcome the shock of being dug up and moved and to begin the growing process.

What do landscapers do before sod is laid?

Professional landscapers will make sure the ground has good quality soil that would provide ample nutrition. They will also water the surface before the sod is laid on top of the wet ground. The moisture content along with loose soil will create an ideal environment for the roots to grow.

How long after sod is installed can you walk on it?

After you’ve installed the sod, make sure you, your pets, your children, and your guests don’t step onto the grass. You can walk on it after a few weeks of enough watering and proper growth. Fertilize the Sod – Once the sod is installed, you need to fertilize it.

What is Sod?

You can’t take care of or maintain the sod if you don’t understand what it is and how it functions. Here are some things you should keep in mind before you carry out the sod installation:

How often should I fertilize my lawn?

You should also fertilize the lawn once a month. That will ensure your sod receives as much nutrition as it needs to thrive and grow. Check For Signs of Disease – The grass is at its weakest at this stage so it’s vulnerable to diseases, pests, and fungi.

How does grass grow beyond the mud?

The roots of the existing grass grow beyond the mud that came with the sod. Those roots sink into the lawn’s soil and anchor to the ground when the nutrition in the sod dries up.

How long does it take to check sod?

You should check the sod for signs of these problems within three days of installation. If you see signs of disease and fungi, apply good quality fungicide to the sod. Most professional sod installers will provide recommendations to help you choose the best option.

Is sod a permanent addition?

However, after proper care, the roots sink deep and the grass will become a permanent addition to your lawn.

Why do you lay new sod over dead grass?

New sod is often laid because the existing lawn has become very patchy or completely died. You can lay sod over the existing dead grass if you want. If you lay new sod on soil that contains toxins, it’s likely that it will seem healthy for the first couple of months and will then start to deteriorate slowly.

Why is my sod down?

A sudden downturn in the sod health is caused by the roots growing into unhealthy soil. It’s a good idea to try to improve your soil’s overall health before laying new sod. You can achieve this by keeping your dog off your lawn for a couple of months before you lay the sod.

Why is it important to keep dogs off new sod?

Dogs ’ urine can damage new sodas; it adds salts to the soil and causes poor biological activity . The soil won’t be able to break down the nitrogen and salts which are found in dog ...

How to keep dogs off newly laid sod?

The best thing to do is to divide your yard into two sections and deal with one piece at a time. You can then restrict your dog’s access to one area of your lawn while the soil recovers and the new sod grows sufficient roots.

How long does it take for a dog to grow on new sod?

It’s best to keep your dog off the new sod until it establishes itself and grows a strong root system. This may take a couple of months. Once you’ve done the first section, you’ll be able to let your dog back on the grass and work on the second section.

Can dogs dig sod?

Some dogs are also prone to digging, and if they see that new sod has been laid, they may be tempted to dig. Laying new sod can give you a lovely green, healthy lawn. You’ll need to protect your new sod so that it’s not affected by your dog. Once the sod has established itself and grown a healthy root system, you’ll be able to allow your dog on ...

Should I Keep My Dog Off New Sod?

You may decide to lay new sod in your yard if your grass is currently patchy or to cover areas that didn’t have grass before. If you own a dog, you may need to replace grass that’s been damaged by dog urine or by your dog digging holes. You’ll have to take some precautions when you first lay new sod so that it can become established and develop a healthy root system.

Why do you water sod?

Watering for longer periods encourages roots to hold on to the soil and grow deeper. You know the roots are attaching to the ground when it becomes difficult to pull the sod up from the ground. Do not force it, as you will weaken the roots' stability.

How to minimize runoff in garden?

To minimize runoff and maximize water use, reduce your watering time and rerun the irrigation cycle after an hour. Releasing less water per cycle ensures it has enough time to penetrate, especially in heavy soil.