Your new lawn needs water to thrive, but overwatering is almost as detrimental to grass’ development, so knowing the right amount to sprinkle is key to helping your sod take root, and determining if sod is getting enough water depends largely on how freshly planted it is.
You should start watering turfgrass sod about a half hour after it’s laid to promote root growth. Freshly planted sod needs two to three inches of water the day it’s planted. This is enough to permeate the first 3-4 inches of topsoil under the sod.
Most sprinklers and sprinkler systems require at least a half hour of steady watering to produce this amount of moisture, but watering times vary by water pressure. Test if your sod is getting enough water by peeling back a corner and pressing a screwdriver into the soil. It should push in easily, and when removed, have moisture on the first 3-4 inches.
Sod requires daily watering the first week after planting. Water regularly to ensure soil below the sod receives enough moisture to encourage root growth. Because lifting edges to inspect soil levels can harm root growth, gauge water amounts by pressing a screwdriver through the turf and into the soil below. The upper 3-4 inches should be moist upon removal. If gaps or cracks emerge between sections of sod, it’s a sure sign you haven’t given you lawn enough water.
Just as you ensure your sod gets enough water, watch out for overwatering. Grass roots can’t grow and integrate with the soil below if the soil is too wet. After you water your sod, walk across it and inspect it. If you leave deep footprints or puddles form, it’s getting too much water. Overwatered sod may also turn yellow as roots fail to grow.
After the first week, water increasingly infrequently. Watering to a proper depth encourages roots to grow deeply into the soil. Once property rooted, a lawn typically only needs watering once a week in all but the hottest summer months.
