Sod offers a fast and effective solution to dead, dying and/or unhealthy grass. If you’re struggling to grow the lush-green lawn that you’ve always hoped for, you can always opt for sod instead.
However, there are a few things you should know before investing hundreds of dollars into your new lawn.
In order for the sod to properly take hold and grow, you must give it a little TLC – something that we’re going to talk about more in today’s blog post.
Water Early
One of the most important steps in growing sod is watering. I know this probably sounds like common sense, but it’s still worth mentioning that the amount of water your sod receives will directly affect its growth rate.
This is particularly important during the first few months after laying out sod, as it needs extra water to thrive. According to some lawn and turf experts, new sod should be kept moist to roughly 3-6” deep. If the soil feels arid and dry on top, it probably needs more water.
Note: check with your local municipality to determine whether or not any water restrictions are in place. Now that we’re in the “dog days of summer,” many regions are restricting water usage among residents.
Watch When You Cut!
There’s nothing wrong with mowing new sod. In fact, with all of the water healthy sod needs to grow, you’ll probably find yourself mowing it more frequently than your “old” grass.
But keep in mind that cutting it too far down may stress the sod, restricting its growth while also leaving it vulnerable to sun damage.
To prevent this from happening, try raising the deck on your lawnmower a few notches so it’s not cutting the grass too far down.
Fertilizer
Of course, you should also apply fertilizer to your new sod for a helpful growth boost. Don’t just choose any fertilizer, but instead look for a type/variety that’s tailored specifically for your particularly sod.
If you are unsure which variety is right for your lawn, visit a local plant nursery to ask for suggestions. They should gladly point you in the right direction, showing you which sod is best suited for your lawn.
These are just a few things to keep in mind when growing sod. Above all else, though, be conscious of how much water it receives. If mother nature hasn’t been kind to you, set up a sprinkler to keep your lawn hydrated.
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I didn’t know that there was so much to be mindful of when first caring for sod. It makes sense that watering early can really help make sure that it roots well and grows strong. My wife and I will be putting some in soon and we’ll be sure to follow your tips!
There is one spot on my lawn where I have put sod three times, and no matter what I do it ends up dying. This time I am saying that enough is enough and I am getting tips from the pros. I have never tried putting fertilizer on my new sod before and I think that is something I am definitely going to try this time. Thank you for the tip.
I thought it was interesting to not cut the grass too short. I think generally, that’s a good rule, but it probably affects newly laid sod a lot more. I also thought it was a good tip to use fertilizer. I’ve never seen a time when fertilizer didn’t help any kind of plant.
Tomorrow, I am going to have some turf supplies brought to my house and I am then going to lay down some sod. I definitely plan on watering my lawn so that it can have a healthy growth rate. Once the sod is laid down, however, how often should I be watering my lawn? I’d also be interested in learning about how much water I should be using.
I’m glad that you went into more detail about what I should know for watering a newly sodded lawn. I wouldn’t have known how to water it properly in the first few months of laying it out if you hadn’t specified that I should keep it moist to roughly 3-6″ deep. I’ll take your advice to add more water if my soil feels arid and dry on top. This will help me have a healthier lawn. Thanks for the tips!
I need to hire a sod delivery service for a piece of land my husband and I just bought. Great tip about watering early to help with the growth rate. It makes sense that water is important and I’m sure watering early could ensure the proper moisture is provided. Thanks for sharing!
This is some really good information about grass and how to care for new sod. I didn’t realize that you should water the new sod a lot. I have a lot of dirt in my yard and if I get new grass I should water it a lot.
Thanks for these tips on taking care of your lawn with new sod. I’ll be honest, I actually didn’t know that it’s possible to stress the sod by cutting down to far when mowing. Definitely interested in learning more about what people recommend is a good height for it, especially if you want to make absolutely sure this doesn’t happen.
I liked that you talked about water early in the day. After all, it would make sure that the sod doesn’t get burnt. It does seem like a good thing to know how to keep your lawn looking great and not damaged.
Thanks for the heads up to ask local authorities about any water restrictions before taking care of a yard’s sod. This reminded me of my own garden. Inspired by your article, I will find a sodding service immediately. That way, the yard will look as good as new while protecting the soil from further damage too.