Should Sod Be Watered in Winter?

Newly Planted Sod

• Generally, cool season sod types are planted in early to late fall. These types of sod must remain watered while roots are establishing. Dried-out sod results in dead patches of grass or the entire lawn. Sod needs one to three weeks to establish a strong root system or knit into the soil, according to the University of Rhode Island. Depending on when you laid your sod, this may mean that you water in the winter to keep the soil moist during that period.

Watering Established Sod

• Lawns with established sod typically do not need to be watered during the winter. However, sod that has been planted that year can become injured if not watered during the winter. Factors such as air temperature dictate if sod should be watered. Gardeners should not water their lawns if air temperatures dip below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Colorado State University. In addition, gardeners should never water when there is snow cover.

Frequency

• Gardeners living in the northern parts of the United States must water their lawns during winter less frequently than those living in southern regions. For example, gardeners in regions that experience cold winters must water their newly laid sod one to two times a month, according to Colorado State University. Those living in regions with temperate winters where a winter grass such as perennial rye is grown should water every three to 10 days, according to The Arizona Republic.

Other Factors

• Lawns infested with winter mites must be watered to prevent severe injury, according to Colorado State University. Mites such as the clover mite, banks grass mite and brown wheat mite feed off grass. Typically, warm sunny areas of the lawn have the highest mite population. To care for these areas, provide water for your lawn in the afternoon so that the water can absorb into the soil before freezing temperatures. By providing enough soil moisture, you can restore your grass for the spring.