Is it OK to use granular fertilizer on new sod?

Fertilize new sod for the first time about six weeks after laying the 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.

What is the best fertilizer for newly laid 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.

How long should you wait to fertilize new sod?

When to fertilize new sod? You will want to wait 30 days after installing your new sod to apply fertilizer, to give it time to take root and acclimate to your yard. How long should I wait before mowing new sod? You should wait 14 days for your first mow to avoid any damage to the roots.

What happens if you fertilize sod too soon?

Some nutrients will leach below the grass roots because the grass can't use them yet. This results in a waste of fertilizer, time and money. Fertilizing too soon can induce nutrient deficiencies and off-color areas in your lawn. This is why many lawns have bright yellow areas in early spring.

What are the disadvantages of granular fertilizer?

Disadvantages: High salt content can burn leaves and steer roots away from nutrients. Immobile nutrients such as phosphorus can't get any closer to the roots because they can't be carried like liquid in water. Each granule holds a nonuniform amount of nutrients.

Feeding New Sod. Fertilizing and Establishing Sod / Turf / Grass Quickly

Can granular fertilizer burn grass?

Slow-release granular fertilizer generally has a higher salt content. This can cause lawn burning, especially in newer grass or if you mistakenly over-fertilize.

What happens if you don't water in granular fertilizer?

It's also important because if fertilizer sits too long without being watered in, it can burn the grass.

What should you not do with new sod?

Do not use a riding mower as it is too heavy and its powered wheels can tear up the new sod. After the sod has fully rooted (approximately 3 weeks), regular mowing can commence. For best results, never cut more than 1/3 of the grass blade per mowing and maintain sharp mower blades.

When should I stop watering new sod everyday?

You can skip watering for a day if you check the soil and it is still wet. By the fourth week, you can comfortably water your new lawn once a day every so often. Going three to four days without irrigation should be okay. The lawn will, however, still need consistent watering the first six months.

Is it better to water sod in the morning or evening?

The morning and late afternoon are the best times to water your lawn but remember to adjust your watering schedule to account for rainfall.

Will sod come back after turning brown?

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.

What does Overwatered sod look like?

Brown, Wilting Grass Blades. Yellow or brown and wilting grass can be a sign of overwatered new sod. This is a tricky one. Some Florida homeowners notice brown spots in new sod and panic, dumping even more water on their lawn, assuming it's too dry.

Can you water new sod too much?

Overwatering new sod will prevent the roots of the sod from getting the oxygen they need to thrive. If you are planting new sod in warm weather, overwatering can also lead to disease. One way to tell if your sod is being overwatered is to check the bottom of the soil a few minutes after watering.

How do you encourage new sod to grow?

Water the sod for 40 minutes per day during the second week.

After the first week of drenching the sod with water once per day to help the roots begin to grow, switch to a more frequent watering schedule rather than focusing on the total water output. In total, give the sod about 40 minutes of water each day.

How often should you water sod in hot weather?

Watering Established Sod

Water as infrequently as possible. In the cooler months, this would be once or twice a week; in the warmer months, it could be three or more times per week. Water for as long as possible to deeply penetrate the soil (up to 30 minutes).

How long should a sprinkler run on new sod?

As soon as you have laid your new lawn, water it heavily! That first watering should be 30 – 80 minutes depending on the following factors: How hot it is outside. Type of sprinkler system/gallons per minutes output (GPM)

How long should you avoid walking on new 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.

How long does it take for sod to take root?

It can take up to six weeks for the sod to develop a deep root system. As the sod develops its shallow root system and moves on to develop a deeper root system, it's critical to increase the amount of time between waterings to encourage roots to grow deeper in search of moisture without stressing the lawn.

How quickly does granular fertilizer work?

You'll start to see results anywhere from 1 to 5 days afterward, depending upon the type of fertilizer you use.

What if it rains after I fertilize my lawn?

Here's the deal: rainfall after fertilization is absolutely not a bad thing. In fact, it's good! Water helps fertilizer fully absorb into the soil. Mild rain after you fertilize is nothing to worry about.

Is it better to fertilize in the morning or Evening?

Fertilizing your lawn in the morning enables you to take advantage of cooler temperatures and morning dew to reduce the risk of burning the grass. As you spread the fertilizer and water it in, the nutrients will have the best chance of reaching the roots and being absorbed quickly.

Does rain wash away granular fertilizer?

Rain After Fertilizer -- Granular Applications

Granular fertilizer and insecticide applications need to be watered in. This activates the product. Slow-release granular fertilizer is not easily washed away and doesn't dissolve quickly in water. So rain after fertilizer is actually a good thing.

Is granular fertilizer better than liquid?

Neither granular nor liquid fertilizer is better than the other. Both fertilizers apply the same amount of nutrients, but one might be more desirable than the other, depending on the situation.

How long should I wait to mow after applying granular fertilizer?

We always suggest to our clients that they wait 24 to 48 hours before mowing their lawn after fertilization. Ideally, our customers have mowed right before we fertilized their lawn, so this waiting period won't be an issue.