If you want an aesthetically pleasing lawn with healthy, deep-rooted grass, you must maintain the appropriate watering schedule for your newly-established sod. It’s essential to learn how frequently to water to keep your lawn growing how it should be.
For the most part, maintain the moisture of the lawn around the clock. When it comes to irrigating your new sod, you need to water it two times daily for the first couple of weeks. Having a proper irrigation system correctly after installing your sod will guarantee it roots adequately in the soil.
How Can I Keep My Sod From Drying Out?
New sod is prone to becoming dehydrated. If you had your sod installed on top of dry soil, it would lose moisture relatively quickly. Dry soil will siphon the water from the sod, leaving it under-watered and susceptible to collapse. To deter your new sod from withering, it’s best to actually water the soil before laying sod.
Likewise, a good approach is to install the sod in the morning or during the late afternoon when the soil is naturally cool. Lower ground temperatures will help stop new sod roots from experiencing shock and it will help them keep their moisture.
You can also lean on a professional for sod installation service. They can also install a timed sprinkler to provide consistent moisture and avoid hand watering since it cannot deliver uniformity.
Watering Schedule
Keeping a consistent watering schedule is helpful to prevent new sod from drying out. Sod laid in the summer must be watered frequently during the day to avoid root shrinkage.
In high heat temperatures during summer months, especially with tall fescue grass, brand new sod may require a watering schedule of 2-3 times a day and 3-to 4 days per week to keep the lawn moist.
How Much Should You Water After Sod Installation?
How Often You Should Water Newly Laid Sod?
Before Laying New Sod
Before installing your sod, you must have executed some fundamental things to prepare your ground.
Whether you do it yourself or hire a professional, all sprinkler heads will have to be marked with wooden stakes, irrigation flags, or paint. Experts strongly recommend establishing a starter fertilizer on the ground before you lay down the sod. This provides the sod with added nutrients to help it grow a new root establishment.
During The First Week
Every watering session must last about 15-20 minutes at least twice a day throughout the first two weeks after installation. But, that duration is conditional on how much water your sprinkler sprays. You can water once in a while if it’s not sunny or temperatures are not high. Increase the frequency or water volumes on windy, dry, or hot days.
At the end of the week, pull the corners of some sod and search for the tiny, white roots that must be beginning to grow into the soil below. Experts do also advise that you should avoid walking on your new sod grass.
During Weeks Two & Three
During The Fourth Week
The Best Time of Day To Water A New Lawn
Each watering session must only be made up of enough water to soak the roots. New sod cannot absorb much water instantly and an excessive amount of water will only induce root rot. You never want soggy soil under your new sod.
If your schedule permits, drenching your sod lawn in the early morning or afternoon is perfect. Watering your new lawn during the hottest time of the day can drive the water to evaporate instead of being absorbed. Not enough moisture can keep soil from maintaining the necessary nutrients your lawn necessitates.
The night’s low temperatures will induce the water droplets to freeze on your grass blades if you water at night. Some studies have confirmed that this causes a plethora of lawn diseases.
You can also invest in a watering system controlled with an irrigation timer that can be programmed to dispense the ideal amount of water at the right time of day.
How Do I Know If My Sod Has Too Much Water?
The most suitable way to say if you’ve been irrigating your new sod correctly is to check with your finger. The sod must feel adequately moist yet it must not be full of water or be muddy. If the sod starts to seem hefty because of the water’s mass, you may have oversaturated it.
This new grass is more prone to fungus, insects, and diseases if it accumulates too much water. Once you notice the indications of excessive watering, lay off one or two watering sessions so the lawn and soil beneath are only watery.
Final Thought
Colin Macmillan is a seasoned entrepreneur and the CEO of Riverwood Landscape, a leading landscaping company based in Canada. He has been at the helm of the company since leaving high school, demonstrating his strong leadership skills and business acumen.
Colin’s expertise lies in various aspects of landscaping, including lawn care, interlocking, sod installation, and commercial maintenance. His hands-on approach and dedication to the craft have been instrumental in building Riverwood Landscape into a reputable brand.
One of his most notable achievements is the creation of a successful landscape franchise that services multiple locations. This accomplishment underscores his strategic thinking and ability to scale operations effectively.
Colin has also had the privilege of working with Guelph Hospital for landscaping and maintenance, a testament to the trust and reliability that his company has earned over the years.
His professional mission is to offer the best services and experiences for customers, a goal that he tirelessly pursues. Colin’s commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction continues to drive the growth and success of Riverwood Landscape.
