New Sod Care
Sodding your yard is a big investment, that pays off by giving your property a fresh look. Once, you have laid sod, it is important to take steps to ensure that it establishes roots. New sod has shallow roots that need time to grow, and adequate water is the key to success.
Water
New sod needs more water then established grass. This is because to grow, plants need water to perform photosynthesis. Also, the thin layer of soil that is attached to the grass is easily robbed of moisture by the ground it is laid upon.
Watering Schedule
First 7-10 days
Water 8 - 10 minutes two or three times per day. You should provide enough water to penetrate the ground a couple of inches.
After 7 - 10 days
Water once a day.
After 3 weeks
Reduce watering to every other day.
After 1 month +
Water on your normal schedule 2 or 3 times per week.
Note if sod is laid during peak hot periods. It is necessary to increase the amount of water provided to the sod. Until roots are established, you are looking to keep the sod moist, but not sitting in a pool water. Also, areas around concrete absorb more heat, and may require more water to replace the water that evaporates.
Fertilizer
It is not necessary to fertilize your new sod. Sod farmers use fertilizer to speed growth for harvest. Fertilizing your new sod could burn the grass by having excess nitrogen leach into the soil. If you plan to fertilize wait at least one month.
Mowing
Do not mow newly laid sod! It is best to wait about a month or until the blade height reaches 3 - 4 inches tall. Plants use energy to grow roots, leaves, stems, trunks, and branches. When you cut the grass, energy that could be used to grow the root structure will now be exerted to regrow the blade. Always, when mowing it is best practice to cut only ⅓ the length of the blade to prevent yellow of dead spots.
Use
Avoid unnecessary traffic over new sod for a couple of weeks. New sod needs to establish its roots, and disturbances can affect it's success.
Water
New sod needs more water then established grass. This is because to grow, plants need water to perform photosynthesis. Also, the thin layer of soil that is attached to the grass is easily robbed of moisture by the ground it is laid upon.
Watering Schedule
First 7-10 days
Water 8 - 10 minutes two or three times per day. You should provide enough water to penetrate the ground a couple of inches.
After 7 - 10 days
Water once a day.
After 3 weeks
Reduce watering to every other day.
After 1 month +
Water on your normal schedule 2 or 3 times per week.
Note if sod is laid during peak hot periods. It is necessary to increase the amount of water provided to the sod. Until roots are established, you are looking to keep the sod moist, but not sitting in a pool water. Also, areas around concrete absorb more heat, and may require more water to replace the water that evaporates.
Fertilizer
It is not necessary to fertilize your new sod. Sod farmers use fertilizer to speed growth for harvest. Fertilizing your new sod could burn the grass by having excess nitrogen leach into the soil. If you plan to fertilize wait at least one month.
Mowing
Do not mow newly laid sod! It is best to wait about a month or until the blade height reaches 3 - 4 inches tall. Plants use energy to grow roots, leaves, stems, trunks, and branches. When you cut the grass, energy that could be used to grow the root structure will now be exerted to regrow the blade. Always, when mowing it is best practice to cut only ⅓ the length of the blade to prevent yellow of dead spots.
Use
Avoid unnecessary traffic over new sod for a couple of weeks. New sod needs to establish its roots, and disturbances can affect it's success.