Sod Care Information
Installation:
Install your sod immediately and begin watering! Do not wait until the next day!
Sod is perishable and must be installed immediately upon receipt and followed by a deep watering. Heat can build up within a roll and cause damage to turf. Most successful sod installations are installed right after delivery to the job site.
After rolling, begin irrigation deeply, six inches down into the soil until it’s soggy to walk on.
First two weeks after installation:
Proper watering is essential to establishment (rooting) of your new sod. It’s nearly impossible to over water new sod! As a rule, keep sod and soil moist all throughout the day. Typically, two sprinklings during the day (morning and afternoon) are required until sod begins to root.
Adjust as needed for location, sprinklers, and temperature.
Stay off new sod until after the first mowing. Try cutting back frequency of irrigations just before the first mow to firm up the soil.
First mow is approximately 21 days after installation, except in winter, which will require a longer time before the first mow.
Mowing high is least stressful to the new sod. Never mow off more than one-third of the grass blade. The mower should be set to no lower than three inches.
Three to four weeks after installation:
Re-adjust your watering clock or timer. Reduce frequency of watering gradually after each mowing, while increasing minutes per watering.
Deeper, less frequent soakings will help roots grow down deeper and establish more quickly into the soil. Pull or tug on turf to check rooting.
Fertilize your new sod lawn at the one-month mark to continue encouraging rooting and establishment.
Troubleshooting tips:
Sod not rooting? Most sod varieties will begin to root within 10 to 14 days. Check watering schedule and adjust to deeper, less frequent soaking. Excessive shade will slow down rooting.
Bluish-grey spots on lawn or footprints show after being walked on? Drought stressed spots in the lawn. Try increasing minutes per watering and check or adjust sprinkler coverage.
Mushrooms? Temporary nuisance, usually growing in compost mixed into the soil at preparation. As waterings get deeper and less frequent, mushrooms usually dry up and wither away.
Edges turning brown and/or gaps between rolls? Sod is shrinking or has pulled up at the corners – due to lack of water! Increase minutes per watering and frequency to minimize gaps. Also, hand watering sod will help shrink gaps. Press down edges with foot after watering.
The more you can stay off the sod, the more successful results you’ll have!