Early and Long Term Sod Care
Early and Long Term Sod Care Instructions
Proper care, particularly in the first several weeks will ensure the success of the installation. Please follow the watering and care instructions below for best results.
Phase 1 Maintenance Practices 0 to 10 days
The sod should be SOAKED with water as soon as it is laid. Water each zone or section as soon as possible. You can check by stepping on it. If your foot makes a deep impression, it has enough water. The soil on the back of the sod should range from damp to wet. If the soil is firm, lift a corner of the sod to visually inspect. If not damp you should continue to water.
Day 2 -10: 1” of water should be applied in each newly sodded area. Use a rain gauge, tin can or similar container to measure irrigation by placing it in the path of the sprinkler. Cooler weather, rainy conditions and shady areas may require less water. Watering a second time each day is recommended if the temperatures are over 70° degrees and sunny. It is important to get the water through the sod and into the soil below the sod. You can check this by pulling back the corner of the sod in several places throughout the lawn. **Do not fertilize or mow the lawn yet.**
Phase 2 Maintenance Practices 10 to 21 days
Apply 1” of water (each area) every other day. *Please note: Cooler weather, rainy conditions and shady areas may need require less water. You can check to be sure you are watering enough by pulling back the corner of the sod in several places throughout the lawn. The sod should be difficult to pull up – DO NOT force it up. The root system is establishing and should not be pulled from the soil. If the lawn is not rooting you are not watering enough.
Before watering the lawn, cut the grass as needed. Do not remove more than a third of the grass plant at one time while cutting. Example: if the grass is 5” tall do not mow below 3.5”. If the lawn is too wet to cut, do not water for another day and cut the next day. **Do not apply fertilizer to the lawn yet.**
Phase 3 Maintenance Practices 5 weeks and beyond
You may begin to cut the lawn as needed. The lawn should be fairly well rooted and can take normal wear. Water the lawn approximately twice a week, making sure to apply 1” of water each week.
You may apply a balanced turf fertilizer 6 weeks after installation. ** DO NOT apply herbicides until at least 10 weeks from the lawn installation.** Avoid applying herbicides when it is hot and dry. Wait for cooler weather.
IT’S IMPORTANT TO NOTE:
You may walk on the lawn to move sprinklers but please try to keep foot traffic to an absolute minimum during the initial growth period.
If the edges between the sod pull apart or are separating, you are not applying enough water. The sod is shrinking and pulling apart.
Make sure to water along pavement surfaces when the temperatures are warmer, as sod will literally bake next to the hot surface early during the establishment phase.
Download a copy of our complete Early and Long Term Sod Care Instruction sheet by clicking the link above.