Care for Your New Sod

A lawn is much like any other living thing. When properly nourished and cared for, it thrives! As your lawn matures, you should make sure it is properly fertilized, and that weed and insect controls are applied when needed. Other practices like aeration, overseeding, and possible fungicide applications may be necessary for ongoing maintenance.

Watering instructions:

Proper watering is essential for your new sod.

• Water immediately after installation.

• Hoses and sprinklers must be available before installing sod.

• Sod needs to be watered throughout the day up to 2-4 times.

  • Water in sections twenty to thirty minutes at a time every two to four hours daily, for up to four days, depending on the weather and temperature.

  • Be careful walking on watered sod; you may sink and leave ruts in the soil underneath the sod.

• After four days, water one or two times daily, depending on the conditions.

• As the lawn matures, water less often for longer periods as needed.

Helpful hints for watering new sod:

• Water early in the morning or late afternoon.

• Water slowly to allow saturation.

• Droopy grass does not always need more water; it may need less. Check the soil to confirm.

Mowing:

Mowing is not necessary for ten to fourteen days after installation. Be careful while mowing. Go slow and turn gently. It is best to mow high and mow often. A general rule is to never cut more than 1/3 of the leaf blade at one time. Do NOT mow if the grass is wet!

Helpful hints for mowing new sod:

• Mow high and mow often.

• Keep a sharp mower blade.

• Leave clippings as often as possible.

• Alternate mowing patterns.

Weeds:

Sporadic outbreaks of weeds are unavoidable but can be seen more depending on the site conditions and weather. Lawn weeds will be easily controlled with a regimented lawn care program. Weeds in planting beds can be pulled or sprayed with appropriate herbicides. Spraying is often more effective because it kills the entire plant, including roots. Care must be taken not to spray good plants. Always read and follow the label directions. Certain pre-emergent herbicides are useful but not always recommended for all plants.

Helpful hints for weeding new sod:

• Weeds can crop up anytime and anywhere.

• Even landscape beds using weed barriers and stone mulch will on occasion experience weed outbreaks.

• Weeds do not penetrate professional-grade weed barriers; however, windblown soil and debris on top of weed barriers will often be environmentally friendly enough to harbor weeds.

Fertilizer:

Fertilizers should be applied about two to three weeks after installation. Use a high nitrogen fertilizer (not in the fall). Water immediately after fertilizing. Establish and follow a proper fertilization program for subsequent fertilizations for the remainder of the season. In spring, a fertilizer with a pre-emergent herbicide can be spread to minimize weeds. Further applications may be applied every five to six weeks.

Other helpful hints for new sod:

• Do not walk on newly seeded or sodded lawns.

• Keep pets away.

• Aerate at least once every two years.

• Use crabgrass control in the spring, the year after sodding.