Your new sod lawn requires TLC – tender loving care! The level to which you care for your lawn within its first few weeks is crucial to its future health and appearance. With over 35 years of caring for lawns and installing sod, we have found that these are the rules to live by.
Establish a Watering Schedule
You should be watering your new sod lawn at least twice a day for 20 to 30 minutes each time for the first 10 days. We recommend doing this once in the morning and once in the late afternoon. After that, water as needed (typically once a day.) You will also want to pay special attention to the edges of the lawn because they are likely to dry out the fastest. If you live in a climate that is likely to rain, take this into consideration, and adjust your schedule accordingly.
Avoid Walking On It
If you walk on your sod before it has planted roots into the ground, it will damage its appearance and overall health. If you do need to walk on it, make sure you do so lightly and minimally. You will be able to walk on it after the first successful mowing.
Mowing Protocol
This is one of the most common questions we get about caring for a new sod lawn. The rule of thumb is to wait 14 days since this is around the time that the roots have fully attached themselves to the ground. Be sure to set your mower at its highest setting, so it only removes the top of the blades. Your lawn should also be completely dry when you mow it.
Use Fertilizer
About four to six weeks after your sod has been installed, you will want to fertilize it. Fertilizer encourages additional rooting and growth of your new lawn. You can spread it by hand or use a seed spreader. For best results, continue to do this once a month. At Bigfoot Turf, we have our own specially blended fertilizer which we sell and recommend.
Your new lawn requires a lot of work within the first few weeks, but it all pays off. If you follow these tips from the beginning then you will have a healthy lawn for years to come!
