Everyone loves the look of freshly installed sod, and it is a much quicker way to get a beautiful lawn than waiting on grass seed to grow. However, new sod requires a little more care and maintenance than established sod. Ensuring that your new sod receives proper watering, fertilization and maintenance are critical to helping your sod last a very long time.
Preparation Is Half the Battle
Sod is a live plant, so making sure your soil is healthy before you even install new sod is important. Ensure the soil is primed and ready by killing any weeds and cutting out the old sod. New sod should be installed as soon as possible after delivery to set your new lawn up for success.
Establish Sod Roots
New sod has shallow roots that need consistent moisture and time to establish themselves in the soil. Watering your new grass is critical during this 4-week period and it is important that you consider natural rainfall or extreme weather that could impact how much water the grass is getting. Keep in mind, you want the lawn to get water each day during the first 2 weeks, but you do not want to overwater as too much water can damage the grass just as much as not enough water. There is a tendency to overwater initially so make sure your grass is not too wet. You want good moisture, just not too saturated when you walk on the new grass. After 2 weeks, you can start reducing your watering. Check the grass after 2 days of water adjustment and make sure it’s not too dry. At 4 weeks, your sod should be established, and you can go to normal watering schedule.
Insect and Disease Control
It is strongly recommended that you hire a chemical spray company to prevent insect and disease damage from killing the new sod. The chemical spray company should start their work during week 2. If you are caring for your new sod on your own, we recommend using Scott’s GrubEx and Scott’s DiseaseEx for insect and disease prevention. These two products are considered among the best on the market for this type of prevention. Just follow the directions on the bag for the best results. Both products are typically available at big box stores and on Amazon as well. These products are not a guarantee for all insects and disease issues. Your local county extension office, garden center, or other lawn care professional are great resources.
Don’t Fertilize Too Soon
Most sod does not need fertilizing for at least one to two months after installation, because sod is usually fertilized prior to harvest. If you fertilize your new sod too soon, it will cause unsightly yellow patches in your lawn because the shallow roots cannot absorb the nutrients, leaching nitrogen into the soil. Your chemical spray company should be managing your fertilizer for you as well. However, if you do not hire a chemical spray company, you can apply granular fertilizer a month after installation. There are many options available at garden centers depending on the time of year and the type of sod you installed. It is a best practice to have your soil tested to know which nutrients it needs most.
Wait to Mow
You should wait until three weeks after installation to mow your new lawn. Be careful not to trim the grass too short. You should always use sharp mower blades and never cut more than one-third of the blade length.
Stay Off the Grass
Foot traffic should be kept to a minimum for three to four weeks after installation, especially if your area is experiencing overly dry or wet conditions. Lower foot traffic allows the new sod time to establish roots.
Bayside Sod is Your Trusted Partner
We Grow – Quality product direct from our farm to your home
We Install – Turn-key solutions for our customers
We Guarantee – We promise quality sod, and won’t collect payment until you are completely satisfied with your install
If you’re looking to spruce up your home or business with new sod, contact Bayside Sod today for your free quote and consultation.
