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How to Take Care of New Sod Lawns
from: SelfHomeImprovement.comYou have to take care of new sod lawns. Sod is living and breathing and it can die. You should never schedule a delivery of sod until you are ready to install it. Sod should never be stored for more than a couple of days, or all you will have is a bunch of dirt and dead grass!
When you go to purchase sod, you should make sure it is freshly cut. You should also look for sod that has been grown on soil that is similar to the soil in your yard. When you install your sod, try to avoid stretching it or leaving any gaps between them. This will encourage weeds to grow.
You should know that heat can build up inside a roll of sod. As soon as it has been laid, you should take care of new sod lawns by giving them a good drink of water. Allow the water to penetrate to a depth of six inches.
During the first two weeks, you should take care of new sod lawns as if they are dehydrating. You cannot over water them. You can water your new sod lawn up to five times a day. The key is keeping the sod moist so the roots have time to take root. You should keep people and pets off of your new sod lawn if possible until it has had its first mowing. Most sod lawns can be mowed approximately two weeks after installation. However, if your lawn was installed in the cold months, it may be a while before a mowing is required. Keep in mind that it is better to mow high than to scalp your new lawn.
During the third and fourth weeks, you can start to reduce the frequency of waterings. While you may decrease the frequency of your waterings, you may want to increase how long you water. Sod lawns at this age really like deeper and less frequent waterings because it helps their roots to grow deeper to reach water. This establishes your new lawn into the soil and makes it stronger. If you want to check to see if your lawn is getting firmly rooted, simply tug on the turf. At the four week mark, you should apply an application of fertilizer to your new lawn.
Problem Solvers for New Sod Lawns
If you think that your sod is not taking root fast enough, you should know that sod lawns that are planted in excessive shade will have a slow time at putting down roots than sod lawns which are in full sun. Adjusting your watering schedule can help a lawn that is having problems establishing roots. Doing less frequent but deeper soakings may help.
If your sod is shrinking, that is a sign that it is not receiving enough water. Immediately begin increasing the duration and frequency of the waterings and the gaps should fill in.
Does your sod have bluish-grey spots? If so, these are drought spots. Take care of new sod lawns by increasing the minutes that you are watering. If you are using a sprinkler to water, make sure it is reaching the areas that are spotting.
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