Tips For Watering New Sod in July (Without Wasting a Drop!)

B&B Hoffman Sod’s Guide to Beating the Heat and Saving Your Lawn

It’s July. It’s hot… and your brand-new sod is thirsty. But with rising temps and the occasional watering restriction, keeping your lawn alive (without blowing up your water bill) can feel overwhelming. Don’t worry, B&B Hoffman knows all about how to water new sod in hot summer weather, avoid heat stress, and stick to an efficient watering schedule that keeps your lawn lush and healthy.

How to Water New Sod Without Wasting Water

New sod in July is gorgeous to look at, but it also needs a lot of attention. And while adequate watering is crucial in the first few weeks, there’s no need to turn your lawn into a swamp. We’re sharing our best tips to keep your lawn looking its best without wasting water or blowing your monthly budget. You’re going to need an alarm clock (or an automatic timer) and a tuna can (yes, really), but you’ve got this!

💧 Smart Watering Tips:

  • Water Early*: Start watering at 4 AM and be done watering by 9 AM. Cooler temps = less evaporation and less chance of disease.
  • Use a Timer or Smart Irrigation Controller: Automated watering ensures consistent coverage without forgetting or overdoing it. (And you can skip the 4 AM alarm clock!)
  • Water Deep: Aim for a solid soak, not a light sprinkle. This helps roots reach down for moisture and builds drought resistance. One long watering in the morning is better than several short waterings throughout the day.
  • Avoid Making Pools: If water pools or runs off before it soaks in, split watering into two shorter cycles, 30 minutes apart.

*In areas with water restrictions, check with your city! They often allow new sod exceptions with a permit or temporary variance.

What Heat Stress Looks Like (And How to Fix It!)

If your new lawn starts looking a little crispy, don’t panic! Summer heat is no joke, and sod can show signs of heat stress if it’s under-watered or over-exposed. 

⚠️ Signs of Heat Stress in Sod:

  • Gray or dull blue-green color
  • Wilted or rolled blades
  • Footprints stay visible after you walk on it
  • Dry, crunchy texture when you touch the blades
  • Gaps at the seams between sod pieces due to shrinkage (these gaps will not go away, you want to prevent this with diligent watering)

Quick Fixes:

  • Water immediately and deeply! Soak about 1/2 inch of water on the affected area.  Watering hack: To make sure you’re actually using enough water, use a tuna fish or cat food can to gauge the amount of water getting into your lawn! (We told you you’d need a tuna can!)
  • Stay off the lawn until it perks back up.
  • Avoid mowing until the sod recovers.
  • Resume regular watering schedule once color and texture normalize.

Pro tip: Lift a corner of your sod—if the roots haven’t started grabbing into the soil underneath by Day 7–10, it needs more hydration!

Week-by-Week Watering Schedule for July Sod Installation

On days with 🔥HOT🔥 temperatures, be sure to lay your new sod on the day of delivery. Once your sod is installed, consistency is key! Here’s a general watering plan for new sod in the middle of summer:

💧 Week 1: Establish Moisture

  • Water immediately during installation. Water more than you think you need.. Water so much that water has penetrated through the grass and has saturated the ground underneath.. Water until your lawn is bog-like. And for good measure, give it one last little drink of some more water.
  • Keep the top 1–2 inches of soil consistently moist.
  • Avoid walking on the sod while roots are settling in.

💧 Week 2: Start Deep Watering

  • Water once daily, preferably in the morning.
  • Each session should soak 6–8 inches deep.
  • Roots should start establishing and grabbing hold. (See pro tip above – if you can lift a corner of the sod, water more!)

💧 Week 3: Transition to Normal Schedule

  • Water every other day, depending on rainfall and heat.
  • Keep an eye out for stress signs like wilting or discoloration.
  • Mow only when the sod is rooted and 3–4 inches tall, and never remove more than 1/3 of the blade at once.

💧 Week 4 and Beyond: Maintenance 

  • Water 2–3 times per week, depending on the weather.
  • Early morning watering is still best.
  • Fertilize only if recommended and avoid applying during high heat.

It’s All About Balance

New sod in summer heat requires attention, timing, and a little TLC, but it’s absolutely doable (and totally worth it!). At B&B Hoffman Sod, we grow our premium Kentucky Blue Grass to be as tough as it is beautiful, so it’s ready to root and thrive when you plant it! With smart watering and a watchful eye, your new lawn will beat the heat and thrive all season long.

Need Sod This Summer?

B&B Hoffman Sod grows our premium Kentucky bluegrass locally, cut it fresh, and have it ready to take root on your lawn! Call us at 763-434-6572 for tips, orders, or questions about watering, installation, and lawn care.

Keeping Your Sod Green: Tips for Watering During a Drought

Keeping Your Sod Green: Tips for Watering During a Drought

Despite a rainy start to our summer, the weather is finally heating up. While we may have a surplus of water now, Minnesotans know the weather can change on a dime, and a heat wave can change things quickly. In times of drought, maintaining a lush, green lawn can be a challenge, especially when it comes to newly laid sod. Proper watering is crucial to ensure the health and establishment of your sod, even in dry conditions. Let the experts at B&B Hoffman Sod help you navigate watering your sod during a drought.

Proper watering ensures sod health and longevity even in the dryest of weather conditions
Water Deeply and Infrequently

Instead of light, frequent watering, which encourages shallow root growth, water your sod deeply and less frequently. This encourages the roots to grow deeper into the soil, where moisture is more consistent. Aim to provide at least 1 inch of water per week, either through rainfall or irrigation.

Timing is Everything

Water your sod in the early morning hours to minimize water loss due to evaporation. This allows the soil to absorb moisture more effectively and ensures that the sod has access to water throughout the day. Avoid watering during the hottest parts of the day, as this can lead to water loss and may stress the sod further.

 

Consider Water Restrictions and Use Proper Irrigation Techniques

To adhere to local water restrictions or guidelines during drought conditions, make the most of any rainfall and use water-saving irrigation techniques to minimize waste. If using a sprinkler system:

  • Ensure it is calibrated to water evenly across the entire area of sod. 
  • Adjust sprinkler heads to avoid runoff and ensure water penetrates the soil effectively.
Monitor Soil Moisture

Regularly check the soil moisture level to determine when your sod needs water. Use a soil moisture meter or simply insert a screwdriver into the soil to gauge moisture depth. Ideally, the top 4-6 inches of soil should remain consistently moist but not waterlogged.

Protect Your Investment

Remember, investing time and effort into watering your sod during a drought pays off in the long run. Properly established sod not only enhances the beauty of your landscape but also provides numerous environmental benefits, such as reducing erosion and capturing carbon dioxide.

By understanding your sod’s needs, implementing proper watering techniques, and considering water conservation strategies, you can help ensure its health and longevity even in the dryest of weather conditions. For more tips on caring for your lawn or assistance with installing our premium Kentucky Bluegrass sod, reach out to B&B Hoffman Sod by calling (763) 434-6572 or visiting our website. We’re here to support you in creating and maintaining a vibrant, healthy lawn year-round.

How Should I Take Care of My Lawn During a Drought?

In general, you should only be watering your lawn when it needs it, but knowing when your lawn needs watering might be difficult!

Grass needs to be watered about 1” to 1½” per week and you shouldn’t water any lawn every day. However, on the days you do, water the sunny spots more frequently than the shaded spots. If the grass is newly planted there will be more watering requirements to assure healthy root development. Make sure you never overwater because it can lead to shallow root systems and can drown new grass shoots, especially during drought season. 

Speaking of drought season, here are some methods and remedies that can help your lawn make it through in one piece!

Watering your lawn deeply and infrequently before 10 a.m. is essential to ensure you’re not wasting money away. If you start to see thin or bare patches of dirt, overseeding helps repair these areas. However, if the patch is too far gone reach out to us, B&B Hoffman Sod Farms, for help with sod applications. 

Before a drought, begin nourishing your grass with the correct fertilizer so your grass can store up what it needs. Whenever mowing never cut off more than ⅓ of your grass and drought conditions can stunt the growth of your grass, so the rule applies more than ever. 

If you have more questions about lawn care during a drought or the products that B&B Hoffman Sod Farms offers, visit us online at bbhoffmansod.com or call 763-434-6572. 

Maintaining Your Lawn in a Minnesota Drought

Maintaining a lush lawn can be a chore during these long heatwaves- even more so if there are watering restrictions. Your once beautiful green lawn may now be crunchy and brown. Here are a few tips and tricks for keeping your lawn healthy during this Minnesota drought.

Mowing during a drought: We suggest avoiding mowing during a drought. Your lawn is likely under stress and will have a hard time recovering from mowing. If you must mow be sure to set your deck higher, to around 3 inches. Taller grass will be able to shade its fragile root systems and keep the soil moist.  Avoid mowing areas that have a “dead” look to them. 

Be sure your mower blades are sharp. When a lawn is cut with sharp blades, healing takes place quicker. Dull blades tear the plant rather than cutting it, which leads to more damage and stress to the grass.

Watering your lawn in a heatwave: A lot of Minnesota is under a watering ban so be sure to check your local regulations before getting your sprinkler out. If you’re allowed to water be sure to get started before 8 AM; optional water times are 5:00 AM and 5:00 PM. The cooler temperatures help slow evaporation and minimize extra stress on your grass. Water enough to wet the roots and don’t water again until the grass has dried.

If you are under a watering ban prepare for the next rain by setting up a rainwater collection system. For every inch of rain, you can collect more than 500 gallons of water per 1,000 square feet of the catchment area. There are commercial systems and DIY options- do some research to find which would be the best option for you.

B&B Hoffman Sod Farms grows natural Kentucky Bluegrass sod which is well-known for its ability to maintain its beauty and adapt to changing temperatures and watering practices. Starting out with a strong, low-maintenance lawn like Kentucky Bluegrass will make a big difference when drought or poor conditions strike. To learn more about summer lawn care and the products that B&B Hoffman Sod Farms offers, visit them online at bbhoffmansodev.wpengine.com or call 763-434- 6572.