What is the best watering schedule for new sod?

Make Sure You're Watering Enough

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.

How often should newly laid sod be watered?

Continue watering new sod twice per day, in the morning and afternoon—thorough, deep watering is best until the soil is saturated but not puddling. Morning is ideal with lower wind speeds and less water is lost to evaporation.

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.

Is it OK to water sod during the day?

Sod applied during times of hot weather or in the peak of the summer sunshine may need to be watered as often as once or twice per day. Water once in the early morning and again in early to middle afternoon. To prevent waterlogging the soil, water for only 10 minutes at a time.

Is it OK to water new sod at night?

For the first week after installation, apply a quarter-inch of water twice daily. Water first in the early morning, between 4 and 10 a.m., then again in the late afternoon or early evening. This consistent hydration will help the grass produce new feeder roots, making for a stronger and more resilient lawn.

How to water your new sod

Is it OK to water new sod in the hot sun?

Anytime before 10 a.m. is ideal. The cooler temperatures in the morning ensure more water gets to the roots of your grass and doesn't evaporate in the hot sun. Avoid watering during the hottest time of the day, which is between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

How long does it take for new sod to 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.

Can I walk on sod to water it?

NOTE: of course you will likely need to walk on the new sod to water it properly. Just be sure to step lightly and as minimally as possible. Just as ample irrigation is critical, too much water can drown the sod, preventing it from taking root. Read our Preparing For Sod blog post for tips on how much water is enough.

What does overwatering new 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.

How do you know if sod is getting enough water?

Test if your sod is getting enough water by peeling back a corner and pressing a screwdriver into the soil. It should push in easily, and when removed, have moisture on the first 3-4 inches. Sod requires daily watering the first week after planting.

What should you not do with new sod?

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.

How long to run sprinkler for 1 inch of water?

It is ideal to water lawns about one inch of water per week. To determine how long you need to water to get one inch, place a plastic container in your yard and set a timer. On average, it will take 30 minutes to get a half inch of water. So, 20 minutes, three times per week will give a lawn about an inch of water.

Will yellow sod turn green again?

But after you bring your trash can in, it only takes a few days back in the sunlight for the grass to green up again. Add some extra water to that spot and it will bounce back even faster." Of course, rolls of new sod experience more stress than a patch in an established lawn, so they need more water and more time.

Will sod grow if you just throw it down?

Basically the grass will not grow if no grass maintenance has been completing prior to planting and it is just thrown on the ground. It will be a waste of time and investment over time. We have all the tips and experience that you need to know to get the grass to grow in your lawn.

What happens if you don't water new sod enough?

Too little and your sod will die; too much and it will rot or drown. And while most people are afraid they are not watering their lawns enough, more grass dies as a result of too much water. Watering properly immediately after you install your grass will ensure it gets established properly in the soil.

How do you make new sod grow faster?

Fertilize the Sod

The best fertilizer for new sod is a slow-release nitrogen fertilizer, applied to the sod six weeks after it is installed. Apply according to the directions on the package and water thoroughly after fertilizing to prevent the fertilizer salts from damaging the grass and its roots.

How do I encourage my 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.

Is it better to water lawn in morning or evening?

Watering in the morning (before 10 a.m.) is the best time for your lawn; it's cooler and winds tend to be calmer so water can soak into the soil and be absorbed by the grass roots before it can evaporate.

What temperature is too hot to water grass?

Avoid watering grass on a hot afternoon when it's 95 degrees or higher. The best time to water grass is at dawn or in the early evening. Water deeply three times a week instead of a little water daily.

How many minutes is deep watering?

Turn off the water for 40 minutes or even an hour to let the water soak in, then water for another 15 minutes or until you see runoff. This may seem complicated at first, but if you take notes on your process, you should learn the unique characteristics of your lawn, your soil, and your turf.

Is 15 minutes of sprinkler enough?

Is 15 minutes long enough to water grass? The average lawn needs a minimum of 1-inch of water per week to thrive. You can choose to water your grass lightly 10 to 15 minutes a day or do an intense weekly watering for an hour or longer until the soil and roots absorb enough water.

Why is my new sod not taking root?

Over and Under Watering

When it comes to watering, too much is just as bad as not enough for new sod. New sod has strict watering requirements that must be followed to encourage root penetration. We recommend using an automatic irrigation system for the most precise application.

Why does my new sod keep dying?

Not Enough Water

Water is the single most important step to keeping your new sod alive and thriving. It's really thirsty. Make sure water reaches every area of your lawn. Sprinklers sometimes miss edges and corners, making these spots dry out faster than the center of the lawn.