Sod Brown Spots

Watering

• Sod should be planted within 48 hours after being purchased, but it is better to plant it within 24 hours so that the sod can be watered or it can turn brown. Water sod with 1 inch of water daily after it is laid for the first two weeks and then with 1 inch of water up to two times a week until it has a deep root system.

Pet Damage

• Pet urine can turn sod brown. The pet urine has high levels of nitrogen that can burn out grass in a matter of months. Pet urine can be neutralized by watering the spot where the dog urinates with water for about 30 seconds within four hours after the dog has urinated or training the dog to use a different area.

Disease

• Disease can affect new sod that is exposed to over watering, high heat and humidity from July through September. If the sod is watered late at night, it will remain wet through the night, which encourages the fungus pythium to attack the sod and turn it brown.