New Sod Care 101: Essential Tips for a Healthy Lawn
1. Watering: The Most Important Step
Watering is crucial when you first lay sod because it helps the grass establish its roots. Right after installation, your new sod will need a thorough watering.
All newly sodded areas will likely need 45 minutes to an hour of water until the entire yard is covered/watered. Keep the sod moist, but not wet, for at least a week.
Tip: Our general recommendation is simple...pick up a piece of sod, inspect for wetness, then you will know if watering is required. The sod will dry out quickly in the summer months until it has established roots. So it will probably will need a good watering every other day.
TIP: Do not to count on the rain as a substitute for watering. In general, we need 2” of rain to substitute for a good watering. BUT if it is very dry and hot even this may not be enough.
Always pick up on a sod slab to make sure that the water has soaked through it and moistened the ground also. You’ll start seeing roots within a couple of days.
Begin to back off of watering the second week and more so the third week. Never keep sod soggy for long periods. Never let the new sod get very dry for at least three weeks.
It takes at least three weeks to get sod established and up to six weeks if installed in the cooler parts of the growing season, which runs October through March in south Louisiana.
We recommend investing in 2 sprinklers of this type (either the one on the tripod or the ones on the stake). They can be adjusted to 360 degrees or a lesser angle i.e. 90 or 180. If they are set up cata-corner from each other you can get very nice coverage in a square/rectangle pattern. These have nice coverage and the pattern of the spray is easy to cover large areas (see the diagrams).
2. Proper Mowing
Mowing too early can harm your new sod, so it’s important to let the grass grow a bit before cutting it.
First Mowing: Wait until your sod has grown to about 3 to 4 inches in height. At this point, it should have developed strong roots and is ready for its first trim.
Mowing Height: Keep your mower blades high for the first few mows (about 3 to 4 inches). Cutting the grass too short can stress the newly-established sod.
Regular Mowing: As your sod becomes established, gradually mow it regularly to maintain a height of about 2.5 to 3 inches. Regular mowing helps the grass grow stronger and denser.
3. Fertilization: Give Your Lawn a Boost
New sod benefits from proper nutrition, especially in the first few months. Fertilization supports healthy root development and vibrant grass growth.
Fertilizing After Installation: Ideally, you should fertilize your new sod within the first 2-3 weeks after installation. A slow-release fertilizer designed for newly planted grass will provide essential nutrients without overwhelming the roots.
Follow-Up Fertilization: After the initial feeding, continue to fertilize your sod every 6-8 weeks with a balanced fertilizer that’s appropriate for your grass type. Avoid over-fertilizing, as this can burn the roots.
Choose the Right Fertilizer: Look for a fertilizer that has a balanced N-P-K ratio (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) and consider your specific grass variety, as some types of grass need more of one nutrient over the other.
4. Avoid Foot Traffic
While your sod is establishing itself, try to avoid heavy foot traffic. Excessive walking or playing on the sod can damage the delicate roots that are trying to take hold in the soil.
Stay Off the Lawn: For the first few weeks, limit use of the area to allow the sod time to root deeply. If you need to walk on it, consider using boards or a path to distribute your weight evenly.
Pets and Children: Keep pets and kids off the newly laid sod until it has a strong root system to avoid damage.
5. Dealing with Weeds
New sod is especially vulnerable to weed invasion, as the grass hasn’t yet fully established itself. Prevent weeds from taking hold by using a pre-emergent weed control product, or by manually removing weeds as soon as they appear.
Be Careful with Weed Killers: Be cautious with chemical weed killers, as they may harm young grass. Opt for natural or organic weed control methods, especially in the first few weeks.
Hand Weeding: If weeds appear, remove them by hand. Be gentle so you don’t disturb the sod’s roots.
6. Soil Aeration and Lawn Care After 6 Weeks
After 6 weeks, your sod should be well-established. At this point, you can focus on long-term lawn care.
Aeration: If your soil is compacted, consider aerating your lawn to improve water and nutrient absorption. Aeration helps create space for the roots to expand and grow deeper.
Seasonal Lawn Care: Once your sod has taken root, begin implementing regular lawn care practices, such as mowing, fertilizing, and watering according to the seasons. As the grass matures, you can fine-tune your care routine.
7. Patience is Key
The process of establishing a new sod lawn takes time. You might see initial signs of growth, but don’t be discouraged if it takes a little longer than expected for your lawn to fully settle. Patience and consistency in following the steps above will reward you with a beautiful, healthy lawn that thrives for years to come.