Sod, like other living beings, needs water. A question we hear all the time is "How do we know if we have watered enough?" A simple test can determine this. If you can peel back a corner of the new sod, look for the ground underneath to be lightly saturated. When you see this you have watered enough.

 A drought or lack of adequate water can cause browning or dying of your newly placed sod. Watering sod is best in short increments to prevent over watering causing root rot. It is best to start early in the morning but no later than 3 o'clock in the afternoon to prevent fungal growth from excess moisture. 

Summer time is a critical time to manage water levels. It is important to not over saturate the sod nor underwater it. Brown patches do not always indicate need for water but may also be a sign of overwatering.  

When do new roots start to form? New, small roots begin forming about a week after installation. It may take a little longer depending on soil and climate. 

When can I start walking on my new lawn? You can start walking on your new lawn right after installation. This actually helps with closing any air pockets caused during the installation process and creates contact pressure for better root adhesion into the soil. We recommend waiting at least 4 weeks for heavy foot traffic to prevent damage to growing roots. 

When should I start mowing? You should wait at least 2 to 3 weeks to allow for proper root growth. A sure way to test if your new lawn is ready to be mowed is to tug slightly on the hairs of the grass. When it no longer lifts up, it is safe to mow. We recommend decreasing the amount of watering leading up to your first mow to prevent any sogginess and risk of tearing up soft spots. Remember to keep grass high and never less than 3.5in height setting on your mower. Increased exposure to the root makes grass vulnerable to weed growth. 

Do I need to fertilize my new sod? New sod does not require fertilizer as most sod is fertilized before harvesting. We recommend fertilizing your lawn at least twice in the spring and twice in the fall to maintain healthy growth. In the spring your should choose a fertilizer with a pre-emergent for weed control as it inhibits newly germinated seeds to develop. Months to remember for your fertilization schedule are March - May and September - October