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Sod must be laid within 24 hours of delivery. During hot temperatures sod must be laid the same day as delivery. | |
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Your sod is in shock from being cut and brought to its new home. WATER.....WATER.....WATER.....WATER.....is the cure! As you install your new sod, be sure to have the sprinklers going right away. Start your sprinkler once you have an area installed large enough that you won't get wet as you continue to lay your new sod. On the first day, if you have not completely soaked the sod throughout the day be sure to water all night as well. Normally, you do not want to water after 6:00pm, this is prime time for fungus to start growing. |
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WATER YOUR SOD EVERY DAY FOR THREE (3) WEEKS.
Your sod is like a wet sponge. It is moist when it's laid down and if it's not watered immediately, the sod will shrink and will not return to its original size when finally watered and will show cracks between each roll. If your sod looks dry or has a bluish look, the sod has already been damaged and is dying.... water immediately! When you water everyday it takes less water to keep the sod moist. |
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WATER long enough so that when you step onto the sod it's squishy, or, Set a tuna can out by the sprinkler and when it's filled, move your sprinkler to a new area. If you use a pulsating sprinkler it should take approximately 45 minutes. If you have an oscillating sprinkler you will need to water the area longer, about 1 hour. If you have a sprinkler system set each zone for 45 minutes. Also, remember to make sure that the areas being watered over-lap, otherwise you will get a line area where your sod will dry up and die. If it rains, consider that a day of watering, not a week. |
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AFTER THREE WEEKS WATER YOUR SOD EVERY OTHER DAY
After 3-4 weeks your sod should be well rooted. In other words, your sod roots have gone down
into your soil and have taken hold. You can then set your sprinkler zones for about 20 minutes each.
***Remember that the water needs to go through your sod, down through the 1" of black dirt that comes with the sod, then down through your soil. Your soil makes a big difference in watering. Clay soil is the best for holding moisture in, and sand is the worst. Black dirt brought in over the sand ground does help somewhat. |
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WATER.....WATER.....WATER.....WATER.... during the HOT temperatures. |
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Fertilize every 6 weeks after your sod is installed. Fertilizing make the grass grow. Some people get pretty tired of cutting their grass by the end of the season. But remember fertilizer gives your yard all its vitamins to stay nice and healthy. Use a blend of fertilizer similar to 5-14-42 during the summer and when you winterize your yard (mid-October) use a 20-10-10. We use Howe's brand fertilizer, which can be purchased, at our shop in Elk River. |
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With proper fertilizing weeds will not grow because the grass will get thicker and crowd the weeds. Spray with a weed killer as you see fit. If you get weeds, taking care of them right away will prevent spreading. |
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Sod should be mowed within 7-10 days after installation. Cut your grass 2 - 2 ½ " high at all times. Very short grass is not healthy grass and be sure to pick up your clippings with a bag catcher on your mower at all times. |
