How To Take Care of a Newly Sodded Lawn

 

New Sod Tips

Establishing a newly sodded yard 

 

New sod poses unique challenges compared to established lawns. 

 

Read the tips below to make sure your new investment has the best chance for success right out of the gate.

 

Day 1

 

• 5-10 minutes prior to laying your new sod, dampen and cool the ground by applying water.
• After laying sod, irrigate with 1.5” of water ensuring water penetrates 2” into the soil (use a screwdriver to check water depth). Avoid pooling of water and cut irrigation off if this occurs.
• Irrigation must be done within the first hour of laying your new sod.
• Stay off new sod for the first 14-21 days after laying.

 

Days 2-14

 

• Water twice a day for the first two weeks keeping the sod and soil moist. Adjust irrigation as necessary due to weather and environmental conditions.
• Maintain enough water to keep soil muddy for the first 2 weeks but continue to avoid pooling.
• Target 0.5” of water per irrigation.
• If experiencing hot weather (>90°F) consider watering 3 times a day. This will keep soil and sod conditions ideal for establishment.

 

After first 2 weeks

 

• Target 3” irrigation per week (every 7 days). Transition to irrigating 3-4 times each week, dropping to only 3 times per week at 5-6 weeks.
• Watch for dry brown spots and incrementally increase irrigation in those zones as needed.
• Yellow grass or mushrooms/fungus indicate overwatering. Reduce the run time on those stations.

 

Quick Tips

 

• Use a rain gauge to measure irrigation. If you do not have a rain gauge use an empty tuna can to monitor your water.
• Water in the early morning to avoid daytime evaporation and maximize soil penetration.
• If you can easily stick a screwdriver 5-8” into soil then you are providing adequate irrigation.
• After following the steps above and getting your new sod established, begin irrigating infrequently and deeply to promote deep root growth.
• Wait until 2-3 weeks after laying sod to mow and mow higher than normal cutting no more than 1” or ⅔ of the grass blades.

 

FERTILIZE

Wait 4-6 weeks to apply starter fertilizer using a balanced 9-9-9, 15-15-15, or similar analysis fertilizer. Split the application and apply ~1/2 lbs of nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. then another ½ lbs of nitrogen 2 weeks later.