New Sod Installed Turned Yellow

Inadequate Watering

• Regular watering of new sod is critical until the root system establishes, which typically takes about one full summer. In areas where the soil is compacted, two summers of regular watering are required. New sod that is not receiving enough water may develop yellow patches. To determine if your sod has enough water, walk on top of it. If your footprints leave deep impressions, it has enough water. If it is firm, leaving shallow or no impressions, lift a corner of the sod. The soil on the back should be moist to wet. If it is not, water for at least 30 minutes. Check your lawn daily for the first five days after laying sod. By the fifth day, if water is puddling or you're still leaving deep footprints, stop watering and scale back future watering. Lift a corner of sod in several places and make sure the soil on the back is moist. The yellow patches should turn green again in about seven days. After the first week the soil has soaked up the water and you can reduce your watering. When rooted, most lawns need watering only once each week.

Ground Contact

• Sod that receives adequate water but still yellows may have poor ground contact. This means the soil beneath the sod has settled, leaving pockets of air between the soil and the sod. Pull back the new sod and fill the area with new soil, then water it thoroughly. Use a roller in the final stage of soil preparation to prevent poor ground contact and roll the sod as well after installation.

Compacted Earth

• Areas that have hard soil or clay soil can be difficult for successful new sod installation. If the ground beneath the sod is hard and water runs away from it rather than being absorbed into it, this may be the cause for yellowed sod. This is easily remedied by pulling the yellowed areas of sod back and poking holes with into the ground beneath. When you lay the sod down, make sure there is contact between the ground and the back of the sod.

Pet Urine

• Pet urine will cause yellow spots. Even if your pet is not urinating on the new sod, there may be other animals nearby that are. Unfortunately there isn't much that can be done about this. If it is a neighbor's pet, a fence may prevent the animal from entering your yard. It helps to make sure your new sod is otherwise healthy and receiving adequate water.

Chemical Burns

• New sod that is laid around pools or areas where other chemicals, such as pesticides, are used, can turn yellow. Chlorine splashed onto the new sod will yellow it, and there isn't much that can be done to repair it. If it isn't possible to move the pool, try to avoid use until new sod has had time to establish the root system.