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
Your Lawn is Lumpy and Uneven
It's tempting to overlap the pieces of sod during installation, to make sure there aren't any gaps between slabs. But you'll end up with an uneven, lumpy lawn. That's bad sod installation. The seams should be lined up just right, with no overlap and no space in between.
What does a bad sod job look like? ›
Your Lawn is Lumpy and Uneven
It's tempting to overlap the pieces of sod during installation, to make sure there aren't any gaps between slabs. But you'll end up with an uneven, lumpy lawn. That's bad sod installation. The seams should be lined up just right, with no overlap and no space in between.
What to do immediately after laying sod? ›
Begin watering newly laid sod within 30 minutes of installation. Apply at least 1” of water so that the soil beneath the turf is wet. Ideally 3”-4” of soil beneath the surface should be moist. Turf is a living plant that requires ground contact and moisture to survive.
Do you wet topsoil before laying sod? ›
Some people recommend wetting the soil before laying sod. However, this is not always necessary. If the ground is moist and there is a good chance of rain in the near future, you may not need to water it. If you do decide to water the soil, be sure to use a light misting rather than a heavy stream of water.
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.
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.
What is the pattern for laying sod? ›
Lay sod in a brick pattern, alternating end seams and insuring all seams are tight. till in one inch of good quality compost and then repeat with another inch of compost tilling, in a different direction.
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.
Do you leave gaps when laying sod? ›
Mistake 2: Leaving Gaps
Gaps can lead to an uneven lawn and provide space for weeds to grow. They also expose the soil to sunlight, drying it out and preventing the sod from rooting properly. To avoid this: Lay the sod pieces edge-to-edge: Make no overlaps or gaps.
Why is my sod turning GREY? ›
Lack of Water
If you notice your grass turning a bluish grey color, and it does not bounce back when you walk on it, then most likely you have a very thirsty turf. You may want to check your irrigation to make sure it is working properly and covering the whole grass area.
The key reason why lawns turn brown is that they're thirsty. Areas where sod is wilting or turning brown, indicate that it's not getting enough water.
Will dead sod recover? ›
If your grass is actually dead, there's nothing you can do to bring it back other than plant new grass. Brown grass, however, can green up following proper care. Oftentimes, that just means water, nutrients, and cooler temperatures for northern lawns and warmer temperatures for southern lawns.
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.
