Care of Freshly Laid Sod Lawn

First Days

• Immediately after rolling sod, begin irrigating. Water until the sod is soggy. For the first two weeks after you lay sod, frequent watering is necessary for the sod to take root. Keep the sod and soil moist throughout the day with as many as two to six sprinklings daily, morning and afternoon, until the sod begins to take root. It is nearly impossible to over-water new sod. Don't walk on the sod until the first mowing. Cut back on the frequency of waterings just before the first mowing to firm up the soil. The first mowing should take place about two weeks after you put down the sod. The exception to this is winter. If you lay sod at this time of year, the mowing won't take place as quickly. When you do mow, set your mower on a high setting. Higher settings will mean less stress to new sod. Do not mow off more than a third of the grass blades.

Weeks Three and Four

• During this time, readjust the irrigation to lessen the number of waterings at a gradual pace after each mowing. However, the amount of time you water should increase incrementally, a few minutes at a time. These deeper, less often waterings will help sod's roots grow deeper and establish quicker. You can pull on your turf to check how it's rooting. Fertilize the new sod at the end of four weeks after the sod is laid. This will encourage rooting and growth.

Tips

• If your sod isn't rooting, check your watering schedule. Most sods will start to take root within the first 10 to 14 days of being put down. You need to increase the time you are watering while lessening the frequency. Also, a lot of shade will slow down the rooting process. If you see bluish-gray spots on your lawn or footprints show up after it is walked on, this indicates drought-stressed areas in the lawn. Increase the number of minutes during waterings and check your sprinkler coverage. Adjust the coverage as necessary to make sure all areas are receiving water. If you see mushrooms, don't worry. These are a temporary issue. They will wither as waterings get deeper and less often. If the lawn's edges are browning or there are gaps between sod rolls, your sod is shrinking or has pulled up at the corners. This is because the sod isn't getting enough water. Increase the time you water and the frequency to lessen the gaps. Hand watering will also help reduce gaps. Press down the sod's edges with your foot after you water.