What to do after sod is laid?

How do I care for my sod after installation?

Can you walk on sod after it's laid?

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.

How long does it take sod to root?

First, How Long Should It Take for Sod to Take Root? This depends on the season. The warmer the temperature, the faster sod takes root. Your sod should root in five to 15 days in the summer, and 20 to 30 days in the winter.

How often do you water new sod?

If the weather is particularly hot and dry, you may need to start irrigating the completed areas before the entire site is laid. 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.

Laying Sod - How to Make New Sod Grow

Can you overwater new sod?

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 can you tell if sod is rooted?

It's easy to determine if the new sod has taken root. Gently lift one corner of a sod piece. If the roots have not fully developed, there'll be little to no resistance when that corner is lifted. If, on the other hand, it's difficult to easily lift the sod, the root system has properly developed.

What time of day should you water sod?

Give newly laid sod one inch of water every other day, in the early morning. This should be done when dew is still on the ground, because this is environmentally responsible and healthy for the grass. Applying water later in the morning will re-wet grass after dew evaporation and could cause fungus and mold issues.

What happens if you mow sod too soon?

Mowing Early Causes Damage

Trying to keep recently installed sod short will only result in damaged or dead grass. Mowing before the sod is fully anchored often leads to the edges or corners of the slabs peeling up into the mower blades. This can ruin entire patches of the lawn very quickly.

Should I fertilize 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.

How long does it take for turf lines to disappear?

Proper watering is essential as sod pieces are like a sponge. When they get dry, they shrink and expose more of the lines. Sod lines usually disappear after the first grass cutting (3 weeks).

How long should you wait to mow new sod?

A new sod lawn should be mowed for the first time between 12-14 days after install. Turn off your water for 1 to 2 days to firm the soil to allow foot and mower traffic. After your first mowing water ONCE A DAY at 8 AM for the following week.

How do I make sure sod grows?

Fertilize the Sod

Fertilizer supplies nutrients needed to encourage the sod to grow properly. Apply a slow-release fertilizer to the sod six weeks after it is installed. To maintain your sod long-term, apply slow-release fertilizer designed for lawns once or twice per year.

What height should grass be cut?

The ideal length of your lawn depends on your climate, but most experts agree you should keep your grass between 2 1/2 inches to three inches long, with the last cut of the season remaining the same.

Will yellow sod turn green again?

Yellow dying sod can be revived and become green again. However, before you rush to remedy yellow dying sod, make sure that you identify the cause before jumping to the assumption that your lawn isn't getting enough water.

How do I know if my new 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.

Can you lay sod over existing grass?

“Although more expensive than seed, sod can be applied to your lawn in a single day. Sod also requires much less care than sown seed. Most homeowners go to the expense — in both work and actual financial burden — of removing their lawns before applying sod. Sod, though, can be applied directly over existing grass.”

What happens if you walk on sod?

It's not okay to walk on newly laid sod because new sod takes roughly 2 weeks to develop shallow roots, walking on it can prevent the fragile young roots from developing properly. As a result, the best course of action is to wait for the complete root establishment – that's at least 14 days.

Why does my new sod looks dead?

Areas where sod is wilting or turning brown, indicate that it's not getting enough water. New sod must get plenty of water to establish its roots. Typically, you water fresh grass at least twice a day (more often if hot) for at least a week to two weeks. Water needs to soak the soil for a depth of at least ½ inch.

Should sod be brown when installed?

Developing root systems of newly-installed sod are normally too shallow to effectively absorb the excessive nitrogen nutrients infused into the soil through fertilizer application. The excessive fertilizer- therefore- burns the developing roots, consequently causing the blades of the grass to turn brown.

What does overwatering sod look like?

However, applying too much water makes the soil muddy, and the sod itself feels spongy. If you spot either of these signs, you could be overwatering. At the same time, check the health of the roots by lifting a corner of the sod. If the roots are brown and soft, they're rotting, probably due to too much water.

What's the best fertilizer for new 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 much does it cost to water sod after 2 weeks?

Day 2 and the Following Two Weeks

You will be watering your installed sod/new roots, 2-4 times per day to keep the lawn moist. Our recommended watering start times are between 7 am – 2 pm evenly spaced to start. The amount and frequency of watering per day will depend on your sprinklers and soil type.

Do sod seams go away?

The grass and roots will migrate into this soil rather quickly making the seams disappear. Some people prefer to do this after all the sod has been laid down. You can also go back and do it after the first initial soaking has mostly dried up, but you should do it sometime in the first few days.