Sod and Seeding Installation & Care

New sod is known for having a very shallow root system for several weeks until it can establish roots down into the soil. Therefore, Service Specialists Lawn & Landscaping recommends daily watering to keep the existing roots from drying out and the sod from shrinking. During hot weather, it may be necessary to water twice during the day until the grass becomes more rooted. If seams show gaps or turn yellow/brown, it usually indicates a lack of water, but more frequent watering will prevent this.

Established lawns require one inch of water per week in one or two applications. Test your sprinkler application rate by placing tin cans on the lawn, turning on the water and measuring the length of time it takes to fill the cans with one inch of water. This is the recommended length of time you should water your established lawn per week during dry weather. Watering should also be done more frequently on sandy soil and less frequently on clay soil.

Heavy traffic on your new sod lawn should also be avoided, but just walking across to set a sprinkler shouldn’t hurt it, unless the ground is very damp and soft. The roots will start holding it down and knitting it together within a few weeks of installation.

Starter fertilizer (in small quantities) needs to be applied to your lawn, prior to laying the sod. It won’t need fertilizing again until it has been mowed twice or shows signs of turning yellow-green. New lawns planted in soil that was recently mixed with organic matter will require more frequent fertilizing the first two years because it can tie up nitrogen in the soil before later releasing it. 

During the growing season (roughly March through November), it is beneficial to apply a 12 - 4 - 8 fertilizer (or one with a 3 - 1 - 2 ratio) every 4-5 weeks. Application of fertilizer in late fall is the most important time because it stimulates root growth during the dormant months. We also recommend watering well after fertilizing your lawn. "Weed and feed" fertilizer products are not recommended for use on new sod lawns until they are over six months old, and only if a weed problem exists. In truth, a healthy lawn is your best weed prevention option.

We also perform large-scale commercial and residential-sod and seeding jobs. 

If you have any additional questions regarding what you see here, please feel free to reach out to our team for help!