New Sod Care Instructions

When planting a new lawn or replacing dead patches, there are two options: seeding the lawn and laying new sod. While sod is more expensive to install than seeding, it also provides you with an instant lawn. After laying the sod, you must take proper care of it so that it can take root in the soil and thrive.

Sprinkler or garden hose
Lawn mower
Fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Water the sod thoroughly after you first plant it, adding enough water to reach six inches down into the soil. Do this for about two weeks. Extremely soggy sod is a sign that you have watered too much. You may have to water it multiple times a day, especially in hot weather.
- 2
  Stay off of the sod until you mow it for the first time, about two weeks after you plant it.
- 3
  When you mow the sod, set the blade deck on your mower high enough so that you take off no more than one-third of the grass blade. Switch directions each time you mow--go north-south one week, east-west the second week, diagonally the third week. This helps prevent the blades from leaning in one direction.
- 4
  Fertilize the sod about four to six weeks after you plant it. Use a fertilizer with a ratio of 2-1-1. The number indicates the ratio of nitrogen, phosphorous and potassium in the fertilizer.

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