Installing and Caring for New Sod: Top 4 Mistakes
Purchasing sod is a great investment that beautifies your home and pays off for years to come. Sod is easy to install, but there are a couple pitfalls that you need to be careful to avoid!
Waiting too long to install the sod
Sod should be installed as soon as possible after receiving it. Once sod is harvested, it begins to decompose. The rate at which this happens is determined by the air temperature. Sod ordered in winter will last for up to a week on the pallet, but if you are installing in the hot summer it will only last for 24 hours or less. Watering the sod while still on the pallet will not help. The heat of decomposition is what will make the sod turn bad, not a lack of moisture.
If you happened to wait too long and the sod is starting to yellow, it may still survive. The rule of thumb is that if there is still some green left in the blades it will come back with proper watering.
How to avoid: Make sure your area is prepped and ready for sod prior to delivery. This will make it easy to start installing when it is still fresh!
Not watering SOON enough
If you are installing sod when it is either warm or windy out, it is critical that the sod is watered within about 30 minutes of unrolling. When sod is harvested, it is separated from most of its root system and it will dry out very quickly once unrolled.
How to avoid: Once you have an area big enough for a sprinkler installed, start watering while you continue to install the remainder.
Not watering DEEPLY enough
Once you have installed and watered your sod the first time, it is important that it is watered every day for the first two weeks. As mentioned above, fresh sod has shallow roots that need to be watered while they grow deeply into your soil. It is important to use a sprinkler as opposed to hand watering. A sprinkler will distribute the water slowly over a period of 1 to 2 hours which allows it to soak in. Hand watering will dump a lot of water on each area for only a couple minutes, and most of this will run off. Shoot to water about an inch of water each day for the first two weeks.
How to avoid: Make sure you have a hose and sprinkler. Put out a rain gauge or coffee cup to ensure you are applying at least an inch of water each morning.
Watering in the evenings during summer
Summers can be very hot an humid in this area, which provides ideal conditions for fungus to develop. This is made even worse by leaving the grass wet overnight. It is important to take extra precaution when establishing sod this time of year. After the first watering, (which should be done as soon as possible even if its in the evening), you should water only in the morning which will allow the grass to dry out in the afteroon into the evening.
How to avoid: If installing sod in the hot summer, set up a timer to water your new sod each morning and allow the grass to dry out in the afternoon. Consider applying a fungicide as a preventative measure if it is especially hot or humid, or if we are getting frequent rain during hot weather.
FAQs
Before installing your sod, you will first need to prepare the soil. Remove all the debris in the desired area and then level with a rake. The soil should be one inch below sidewalks and driveways. Use a lawn roller to level the soil surface and then irrigate it in preparation for sod laying.
What not to do when installing sod? ›
Avoid These Mistakes When You Lay Sod
- Improper Preparation. The work of laying new sod begins long before laying the first piece. ...
- Leaving Gaps. ...
- Not Flattening the Sod. ...
- Watering Too Much or Not Enough. ...
- Mowing Too Soon. ...
- Fertilizing Before Root Establishment.
Lay Sod in Neat Rows
- Dampen the soil before unrolling your new turf.
- Using a straight edge in your yard, unroll the first row of sod. ...
- Rake the soil as you lay the sod to clear any bumps under the surface.
- After you've laid the first row, smooth out any areas that have wrinkled or bunched up.
Before installing your sod, you will first need to prepare the soil. Remove all the debris in the desired area and then level with a rake. The soil should be one inch below sidewalks and driveways. Use a lawn roller to level the soil surface and then irrigate it in preparation for sod laying.
Should ground be wet when laying sod? ›
The time to lay sod is early morning before it gets too hot. The soil in the planting area should be moist, not soggy or dry. Water thoroughly one or two days before the sod is delivered so that the top several inches of soil are wetted. Then allow time for the soil to drain so that it's not muddy and is workable.
Can you lay sod without tilling? ›
Can you lay sod without tilling? While you can lay sod without tilling, you'll have a better chance of success if you place your new sod on top of tilled, irrigated soil. Tilled soil allows for more thorough irrigation and is more likely to bond with new sod over untilled soil.
What is the best month to lay sod? ›
You can lay sod anytime during the growing season, as long as the ground is not frozen and you have adequate water for establishment and maintenance, although spring and early autumn are best. Cool temperatures combined with occasional rain help sod quickly root.
Should you put topsoil down before sod? ›
If you're building a yard from scratch, you probably want to add topsoil to the ground before you lay sod. You can create a healthy, well-drained, and nutrient-rich layer that helps your turf thrive.
Why can't you walk on new sod? ›
Your new sod lawn needs time to establish a firm root system before you use it as you did your old lawn. If you walk on your sod before its roots have established, you're lessening your chances of success. How long must you wait to use your new sod lawn?
How many minutes should you water sod? ›
Make Sure You're Watering Enough
Your new lawn needs to be watered twice a day, for about 20 minutes per session every day for at least two months. This should be enough so that your lawn gets a solid six inches of watering per cycle.
Twinwood Farms for Your Sod
A light drizzle is workable but heavy rain could ruin all your previous work and your newly-purchased sod.
Is it bad to water new sod at night? ›
You will be watering your installed sod/new roots, 2-4 times per day to keep the lawn moist. Our recommended watering start times are between 7 am – 2 pm evenly spaced to start. The amount and frequency of watering per day will depend on your sprinklers and soil type.
Can I just lay sod on dirt? ›
If you lay sod down without preparing the soil first, the new sod will be competing with the existing turf for water. This can lead to drainage problems and may eventually kill the new sod. To avoid this problem, you need to make sure that the soil is well-prepared before you lay down the new sod.
How long should you not walk on new sod? ›
You should wait 14 days for your first mow to avoid any damage to the roots. Can I walk on my new sod? It is best to wait at least 2 weeks to walk on your new sod. That way you give your new sod roots time to grow.
Is it bad to over water new sod? ›
Take care never to overwater the sod while it is in the rooting stage. Soggy sod can lead to root rot and eventually new sod failure. Instead, water the sod in smaller amounts, several times during the day.
How long does it take for sod to adhere to the ground? ›
Although sodding is much faster than the natural lawn seeding and growing process, it isn't instantaneous. Technically, once it s been installed, sod should begin to take root within 10-14 days. And with the right balance of sun, air, and water, your sod will fully take root in 2-6 weeks.
