Sod Care

Sod Care

6 Steps To Green Sod

Everything you need to know to ensure you have a beautiful lawn for years to come.

Prepare your soil by eliminating weeds and grasses with an herbicide, and clear all debris and large rocks. Consult a nurseryman for the best soil amendment and till to a depth of 6 to 9 inches. If needed, install a sprinkler system at this stage. Grade the soil by smoothing and leveling it with a rake, ensuring the grade is about an inch below sidewalks and driveways. Rolling the soil can help firm it up before installation. Spread a pre-plant fertilizer as recommended by a nurseryman.

Install your sod right after delivery to prevent it from drying out. Same-day installation is highly recommended. Begin laying sod along a straight edge such as a sidewalk or driveway, ensuring the joints are butted tightly together without overlapping. Stagger the joints like rows of bricks. Use a sharp knife to cut and shape sod around trees, borders, and other obstacles. Start watering no later than 30 minutes of laying sod, even if it's not fully installed, to prevent the tender grass roots from drying out and wilting. Ensure the new sod is watered to a depth of 4-5 inches during the first watering.

Keep your new lawn consistently moist but not soggy during the first 8 to 10 days after installation. Watering in the early morning is best to reduce evaporation and ensure the grass has sufficient moisture throughout the day for an established lawn. However, for new sod, it is important to space the watering throughout the heat of the day. We recommend 10-20 minute water sessions. To determine the exact duration, check to ensure the water has penetrated through the sod into the bare soil below. We recommend two, three, or four waterings per day for 70, 80, and 90+ degree days respectively.

Continue to keep the sod and soil moist, checking under the sod to ensure it’s not drying out. Hold off mowing or fertilizing to avoid causing additional stress to the new sod.

Gradually reduce the frequency of watering but increase the depth. Water deeply 2-3 times a week to encourage deep root growth. When the grass reaches 3-4 inches in height, mow for the first time, setting your mower to a higher setting to avoid stressing the new grass.

Transition to routine lawn care. Consult your local lawn care provider or look online for recommendations for a mature Kentucky Bluegrass lawn such as this one linked here.