How do you take care of freshly planted sod?

How do you take care of freshly planted sod?

New Sod Care

1. Proper watering is essential to establishment (rooting) of your new sod.
2. As a general rule, keep sod and soil moist all throughout the day.
3. Stay off new sod until after the first mowing.
4. Try cutting back frequency of irrigations just before the first mow to firm up the soil.

How do you take care of new sod in the winter?

All the steps are the same when you sod in the winter. Apply starter fertilizer before sodding, pull seams tight and water the sod. It might freeze after you install it but this will not harm the grass. If the weather is warm and dry, water the new sod enough that that the water soaks through.

How often should you water sod?

Your new lawn needs to be watered twice a day, for about 20 minutes per session every day for at least two months. This should be enough so that your lawn gets a solid six inches of watering per cycle.

What fertilizer should I use on new sod?

Fueling New Sod Apply fertilizer as recommended by the results of a soil test or broadcast a slow-release, granular fertilizer with a 10-10-10 or similar formula at a rate of no more than 1 pound nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn.

How long does it take for sod lines to disappear?

between 4 and 6 weeks
The lines between new sods usually take between 4 and 6 weeks to completely disappear.

How long should you stay off freshly laid sod?

If you walk on your sod before its roots have established, you’re lessening your chances of success. How long must you wait to use your new sod lawn? The general recommendation is to wait two weeks – but the number of days you wait is really dependent on determining that the lawn has, indeed, taken root.

Can new sod survive frost?

Laid sod stays dormant until the spring when the warmer weather hits and when its roots begin to grow deeper for water and nutrition. In fact, it is okay to lay sod in the winter months because of this, and frost has no negative long-term impact on turf.

Is it OK to water new sod at night?

Watering in the evening is discouraged—water remaining on the grass can promote disease and fungus. Within a few weeks, when the sod has started rooting into the soil, you will not have to water it as much.

Can you water new sod too much?

Each watering should only consist of enough water to wet the roots. New sod is not able to soak up much water at once, and too much water will cause root rot. You never want soggy soil under your new sod. Too much water will foster fungus under the roots which can cause your new sod to fail.

Can new sod be fertilized?

Should I fertilize new sod? Absolutely! New lawns thrive with the application of quality fertilizer, which works to help create and maintain a sustainable root system that will keep your yard lush for years to come.

Can I put starter fertilizer on new sod?

If you are planting new grass with sod or seeds it’s best to use starter fertilizer. If you are overseeding your lawn, you can apply a starter fertilizer before or directly after seeding. Starter fertilizers are especially useful if your soil Phosphorus (P) is low, which can be determined by a soil test.

Will gaps in sod fill in?

You can still fill in the seams if you would like. they will disappear much faster. Even after 8 weeks of the sod being laid. That is typical.

How much water does new sod need to grow?

New sod requires more water than an established lawn because its roots need consistent moisture. For the first seven to 10 days, new sod requires five to 10 minutes of watering, two to three times daily. Provide enough water to soak the first few inches of soil.

How long does it take new sod to root after installation?

During the first couple of weeks following installation, each watering session should last approximately 15-20 minutes at a minimum of two times per day. How long does it take new sod to root? Your new sod should root within 10-14 days of application. This is also when you should mow your new lawn for the first time after laying sod.

How do you take care of a new sod lawn?

Lawn Care for New Sod. Sod is easy to install and provides an instant lawn, but it requires a little more care than you would give an established lawn. New sod has shallow roots, which need time to establish in the soil. Proper watering, fertilizing and maintenance are vital to ensuring your new sod will endure long after it is installed.

Is it OK to walk on new sod?

Take care not to walk or run on new sod, as this can prevent the fragile young roots from developing properly. If you have pets, try to prevent as much contact with the newly installed sod as possible. What is the best time of day to water new sod?