Care For Your Sod

Please take a minute to read through our installation and care tips before you receive your turf grass sod.

1.  Sod must always be laid within 24 hours of delivery.
2. During hot temperatures sod must be laid the same day as delivery - Your sod is in shock from being cut and brought to its new home.
3. WATER.....WATER.....WATER.....WATER.....is the cure! - As you install your new sod, be sure to have the sprinklers going right away. Start your sprinklers once you have an area installed large enough that you won't get wet as you continue to lay your new sod.
4. 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.
5. WATER YOUR SOD EVERY DAY FOR 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, which can lead to 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. AFTER THREE WEEKS, WATER YOUR SOD EVERY OTHER DAY, your turfgrass should be forming roots at this poing. 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.
   
    WATER.....WATER.....WATER.....WATER.... during the HOT temperatures.