The perfect house has a beautiful lawn, right? If you don’t have that lawn yet, you can get it. Laying sod is a traditional and reliable way to transform your yard into something amazing. If you want luscious grass, it’s the way to go, but you probably have some questions before you get started. Let’s go over the basics of caring for new sod.
Water
When it comes to new sod, watering is the top priority. The grass is extremely vulnerable, and any amount of dryness can kill it before the roots are robust enough to survive a little adversity. In the first two weeks, the sod should remain moist and damp throughout the day. This means it needs sprinkling anywhere from two to six times a day. They don’t have to be long, deep sessions, but the sod should remain spongy. Obviously, maintaining this will depend on humidity and the weather, but as long as you don’t have persistent, standing puddles, you don’t have to worry about over watering.
Once you get past the first two weeks, you’ll start transitioning to more normal watering. Realistically, the sod is going to be thirstier in the entire first growing season than after, but you don’t have to keep it perpetually wet after two weeks. You can drop to watering once or twice a day. These sessions should be longer (on average about 20 minutes), and can be lessened after a good rain. You’re mostly looking for any sign of browning. If you see any at all, increase your watering.
After the first month, the roots should be pretty healthy, and you won’t have to water as often. You can play around with skipping a day to see how the grass responds. Eventually, you should only need to water two to three times a week, depending on the weather.
Nutrients
New sod will be hungry for nutrition. There should be plenty to get it started when it is laid, but as those roots develop, you’ll burn through initial fertilizer pretty fast. At the end of the first month, you’ll want to fertilize again. After that first month, you can follow the schedule recommended for your grass. You might need one more session before the end of the first season, but from there, your standard one to two times a year will suffice.
For that initial fertilizing, some recommend liquid products. They’re easier for underdeveloped roots to access and process. This helps to establish healthy roots early after planting. That said, traditional fertilizer isn’t bad for your sod. It will work; it just might not be as efficient.
Mowing
When it comes to new sod, mowing questions are some of the most common. Everyone is afraid of the first mow, and there’s a good reason for that. If you don’t know a few tips, it’s easy to damage the sod on the first mow. Fortunately, these few trade secrets will eliminate that risk and leave you in good shape.
You’re not going to mow in the first two weeks. Unless you have explosive growth and you’re afraid of getting lost in the lawn (and you shouldn’t be walking on it at this point anyway), you want to wait at least two weeks before the first mow. The grass should be longer than you might normally like it. This is important because mowing while the roots are shallow is when you’re at the highest risk of causing damage.
For your first mow, set the blades as high as they can go. You shouldn’t be removing more than a third of the grass height. Pay close attention when you start. Chunks of sod should not be coming up, but they will if the roots are too shallow. If you see any sign of that, go ahead and put off the first mow. You can also double check that you raised the blades to their maximum.
After your lawn has survived the mower, you’re in much better shape. You should be able to walk on the lawn (when it isn’t soggy). You can also start mowing it more normally. You still want to let the grass stay longer than you might like throughout the first season, but you don’t need to worry about chunks coming up if it does fine on the first cut.
Once you make it through the first season, you can treat your new lawn like normal grass. It should have a strong root system and be able to endure normal treatment. Now that you know the secrets, you’re ready to lay sod. If you want professional help getting the job done right, Zoysia Sod is here for you.
FAQs
Consistent watering is the key to ensuring new sod is able to grow strong roots. Sod that is applied during the summer should be watered throughout the day. This will prevent shrinking and drying. You should water your lawn enough at least two weeks after installation to ensure moisture.
How to care for newly installed sod? ›
Right after your new sod is installed, you need to water it to keep it from drying up. For the first 2 weeks after the installation, you need to stay off your new lawn, keep it watered, and mow it properly. About a month after the installation, you need to water your lawn less often but more deeply.
How many weeks should I water new sod? ›
By the third and fourth weeks, your new sod should be firmly rooted and ready for deeper, less frequent watering; water every other day, soaking the soil to a depth of 3-4 inches. After the first month, transition to a standard watering schedule: typically once or twice a week depending on local climate and soil type.
How do I know if I'm watering my sod enough? ›
Because lifting edges to inspect soil levels can harm root growth, gauge water amounts by pressing a screwdriver through the turf and into the soil below. The upper 3-4 inches should be moist upon removal. If gaps or cracks emerge between sections of sod, it's a sure sign you haven't given you lawn enough water.
Can you over water 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.
Should you leave grass clippings on new sod? ›
While your new sod is getting established and growing roots, it's best to bag your grass clippings for the first month. Add those clippings to your compost pile, and then once your sod is firmly established, you can leave clippings on the sod surface while mowing.
How long does it take sod to root? ›
Although sodding is much faster than the natural lawn seeding and growing process, it isn't instantaneous. Technically, once it s been installed, sod should begin to take root within 10-14 days. And with the right balance of sun, air, and water, your sod will fully take root in 2-6 weeks.
Is it okay to water new sod at night? ›
The morning and late afternoon are the best times to water your lawn but remember to adjust your watering schedule to account for rainfall. Do not water your lawn in the evenings; allowing your lawn to remain damp overnight is an invitation to pests and to disease or fungus.
How long after installing sod can you walk on it? ›
You should wait 14 days for your first mow to avoid any damage to the roots. Can I walk on my new sod? It is best to wait at least 2 weeks to walk on your new sod. That way you give your new sod roots time to grow.
What is the best fertilizer to use on new 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.
One of the first warning signs that you've got poor-quality sod is if you notice fungus growth on your lawn. This could appear as a moss-like covering that is typically orange in color or even as small mushrooms popping up.
What does overwatered grass look like? ›
If you notice signs of brown patch or dollar spot or powdery mildew, it may be a sign of overwatering grass. You might even see mushrooms popping up in your lawn.
How long does it take for sod lines to disappear? ›
That means you'll see the lines between each section. But not forever. How long does it take for sod lines to disappear? Those lines will disappear in 4-6 weeks as the roots take hold and the sections of grass grow together.
How many minutes a day should I water new sod? ›
Provide your sod with ample water that will enable the roots to grow into the soil. Following the initial watering session, you will need to follow a rigorous watering schedule during the first few weeks after installation that includes watering the sod for 20 minutes at least three times a day.
Will dried out sod come back? ›
Can You Resod A Dead Lawn? There is no way to revive dead grass, but you can lay new sod to grow your landscape again from scratch. If you notice brown, bare, or thinning areas in your lawn, these are clear signs that you need to sow new seed or replace the sod.
Does sod need to be watered after installation? ›
The strict watering schedule for your sod starts on the day of installation. After the rolls of sod are installed on your property, you must water it deeply directly after. Your goal is to ensure water has reached 6 inches deep into the soil to prevent your sod from drying out.
How do you keep new sod from turning brown? ›
Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot and other problems. Also, avoid under-watering, as this can cause the grass to dry out and turn brown. Be sure to use the right type of fertilizer for your grass type, and avoid fertilizing during hot or dry periods.
How do you bring new sod back to life? ›
You have to water it for a very long time so that the water can get down to the roots of the grass. When you water for a short period of time, much of the water evaporates before it can reach the roots. The best time to water is early in the morning. There is less chance for evaporation when the sun is low.
