Many homeowners are tending newly installed sod lawns and creating the most healthy environment for turfgrass to establish and grow is essential to protecting their investment. If you’re planning to have new sod installed, it’s always important to follow guidance that is appropriate for your specific turfgrass variety.

Here are some guidelines for helping your lawn develop and thrive:

  • Begin watering new sod within a half hour after it is laid on the soil. Apply at least 1” of water so that the soil beneath the turf is wet.
  • For the next two weeks, keep the below-turf soil surface moist with daily (or more frequent) watering. Pull back a corner of the turf, and push a screwdriver or other sharp tool into the soil. It should push in easily and have moisture along the first 3” or 4”; otherwise, you need to apply more water. Especially hot, dry or windy periods will necessitate increased watering amounts and frequency.
  • As the turf starts to knit its new roots into the soil, it will be difficult, impossible and/or harmful to pull back a corner to check beneath the turf. You can still use a sharp tool, however, to check moisture depth by pushing it through the turf and into the soil.

If you are entering this season with a newly sodded lawn, take extra care to give it the best start, and you can enjoy a beautiful product for years to come!