After you’ve sat back for a moment to admire the new sod you’ve installed, it’s time to make sure it survives and thrives.
Watering Your New Lawn is KeyMake sure you water really well after your sod is installed. The first watering should be about 45-60 minutes where you soak through the sod into the soil below. Water again later on for 15-20 minutes to maintain even moisture on your new lawn. For the first two weeks of lawn care, water your sod lawn two times a day for about 15-20 minutes, making sure that water is being fully absorbed by the lawn. The soil should be soaked through and water should penetrate at least 6 inches into the soil to ensure deep rooting. Watering is most effective if done during early morning hours when sunlight and heat cannot cause excessive evaporation. Our recommended times are 7:00 am and 1 pm. After 2 weeks, stop watering for 1-2 days and let your soil dry out until you can walk on it without sinking. When your lawn becomes established, it requires approximately 1½ inches of water per week, and ½ inch every other day during the heat of the summer. |
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What About Mowing a New Sod Lawn?
Mow at the highest setting on your mower. Cutting grass to a tall height, around 8.9 to 10.2 cm (3 1⁄2 to 4 inches), is important for lawn health, especially during the summer heat. Taller grass shades the ground, which blocks weed sprouts and promotes beneficial microbes.
Leaving the grass tall also allows your lawn to focus on root growth, which adds disease resistance. Leave the grass clippings on the lawn after mowing to return the nutrients to your lawn.
A beautiful lawn doesn’t require a flood of chemicals. Careful watering, mowing, and fertilization can keep your lawn healthy, along with annual dethatching and aerating. With the right approach, your lawn can be healthy enough to resist disease, weeds, and drought on its own.