How to Care for Sod | Sod Care Tips | Ground Source

How to Care for Your New Sod Lawn

You've finally got that new sod lawn and things are looking green.

Now what?

Sod looks like a finished product, but still requires time and care to fully become part of your landscape. The right care is critical in the first few weeks following installation.

And like all plants, the success of your new sod depends on care that is suited for the time of year in which it's installed.

How much water does new sod need? When is it safe to mow new sod? If you've got questions, check out this short video to get general tips, and read on for specific sod care instructions.

Before reading on, please note: the instructions found here are informative only, and not a guarantee of the success of your new sod lawn. Different soil types may require different amounts of water, and environmental factors must be considered.

These instructions do not account for rainfall or extreme temperatures outside of summer months (May to September).

Please use your best judgment when watering. If water is ponding, decrease the frequency or length of your watering cycles. If the sod is browning, have someone take a look to ensure water is reaching the soil below. Insufficient watering can cause brown spots that might easily be mistaken for pests or disease.

Ground Source is not responsible for damage to lawns due to improper watering.

Pick a Date Range

For turf installed in direct sunlight

Days 1-7:

Water 2x daily at 7 am and 1 pm, 30 mins rotors and 15 mins sprays and 45 - 60 mins MP Rotors (or equivalent).

Days 8-15:

Eliminate the 1 pm watering schedule and only water at 7 am, 45 mins rotors, 20 mins sprays, and 60-75 mins MP Rotors (or equivalent).

Days 16-22:

Begin mowing. Reduce water to 4x per week and change start time to 1 am, run rotors at 50-60 mins, sprays 25-30 mins, MP Rotors, (or equivalent), at 60-90 mins. Begin mowing at this time assuming some rooting and grass is growing.

Days 23 and on:

Eliminate one day per calendar week until you eventually get to two days per week watering, odd addresses are normally Wednesday and Saturday, even addresses are normally Thursday and Sunday.

For turf installed beneath shade

Days 1-10:

Water 1x daily at 7 am, 50 mins rotors and 25 mins sprays.

Days 11-20:

Reduce watering to 4x per week, same run times as above, change the start time to 1 am. Monitor to ensure this is adequate water as well as you are not overwatering; the amount of shade, how well your soil drains, and heat will all determine this.

Days 21 and on:

Begin mowing. Eliminate one day today and again every seven days until you eventually get to two days per week watering, odd addresses are normally Wednesday and Saturday, even addresses are normally Thursday and Sunday.

For turf installed in direct sunlight

Days 1- 7:

Water 3x daily at 7 am, 11 am, 1:30 pm, 15 mins rotors, 8 mins sprays, 30 mins MP rotors (or equivalent).

Days 8-15:

Water 1x daily at 7 am, rotors 50 mins, sprays 25 mins, MP rotors (or equivalent) 60-90 mins.

Days 16-23:

Begin mowing. Water 4x weekly at 1 am, rotors 50 mins, sprays 25 mins, MP rotors (or equivalent) 60-90 mins.

Days 24 and on:

Reduce 1 day today and again every seven days until eventually down to 2x per week watering, Wednesday and Saturday for odd addresses and Thursday and Sunday for even addresses.

Note: Bahia sods can usually survive if watered once a day. For all other sod types, follow the above instructions closely.

For turf installed beneath shade

Days 1- 10:

Water 1x daily at 7 am, 50 mins rotors and 25 mins sprays.

Days 11-18:

Reduce watering to 4x per week, same run times as above, change the start time to 1 a.m. Monitor to ensure this is adequate water as well as you are not overwatering; the amount of shade, how well your soil drains, and heat will all determine this.

Days 19 and on:

Begin mowing. Eliminate one day today and again every seven days until you eventually get to two days per week watering, odd addresses are normally Wednesday and Saturday, even addresses are normally Thursday and Sunday.

Note: Take care to avoid overwatering in shade, as evaporation will not occur at the same rate as in unshaded areas. If possible, avoid installing shade-area sod at this time of year.

For turf installed in direct sunlight

Days 1-7:

Water 2x daily at 7 am and 1 pm, 30 mins rotors and 15 mins sprays and 45- 60 mins MP Rotors (or equivalent).

Days 8-15:

Eliminate the 1 pm watering schedule and only water at 7 am, 45 mins rotors, 20 mins sprays, and 60-75 mins MP Rotors (or equivalent).

Days 16-22:

Begin mowing. Reduce water to 4x per week and change start time to 1 am, run rotors at 50-60 mins, sprays 25-30 mins, MP Rotors, (or equivalent), at 60-90 mins.

Days 23 and on:

Eliminate one day per calendar week until you eventually get to two days per week watering, odd addresses are normally Wed and Sat, even addresses are normally Thur and Sun.

For turf installed beneath shade

Days 1-10:

Water 1x daily at 7 am, 50 mins rotors and 25 mins sprays.

Days 11-17:

Reduce watering to 4x per week, same run times as above, change the start time to 1 a.m. Monitor to ensure this is adequate water as well as you are not overwatering; the amount of shade, how well your soil drains, and heat will all determine this.

Days 18 and on:

Begin mowing. Eliminate one day per calendar week until you eventually get to two days per week watering, odd addresses are normally Wed and Sat, even addresses are normally Thursday and Sunday.

For turf installed in direct sunlight

Days 1-10:

Water 1x daily at 7 am, 50 mins rotors, 25 mins sprays, and 60-90 mins for MP Rotors (or equivalent).

Days 11-17:

Water 4x per week at 7 am (same run times)

Days 18 and on:

Begin mowing. Reduce water to 3x per week, set timer to start at approximately 1 a.m., reduce 1 day per week each week for the next two weeks until you eventually get down to one day per week watering. Odd addresses are normally Saturday and even addresses are normally Sunday. Monitor to ensure the grass is not getting too dry, excessive heat may require more water than what is recommended.

For turf installed beneath shade

Days 1-10:

Water 1x daily for ten days at 7 am, 40 mins rotors, 20 mins sprays, and 50-75 mins for MP Rotors (or equivalent).

Days 11-17:

4x per week @ 7 am (same run times).

Days 18 and on:

Begin mowing. Reduce water to 3x per week, set timer to start at approximately 1 a.m., reduce 1 day per week each week for the next two weeks until you eventually get down to one day per week watering. Odd addresses are normally Saturday and even addresses are normally Sunday. Monitor to ensure the grass is not getting too dry, excessive heat may require more water than what is recommended.