Watering Tips After Installation
Water thoroughly right after installation, then every day (ideally in the morning) for the first week, and never let the sod dry out in the first 10-14 days. After week one, water every other day. In weeks two and three, water 1-2 times a week. After that, about 1 inch of water once a week. Keep foot traffic off for a week and make the first mow at about 3 inches, around two weeks in.
Post-installation lawn care is very important and differs from normal lawn care. To make sure your lawn establishes and looks amazing after installation:
- Water the installed lawn thoroughly to help settle the soil.
- Try your best to keep foot traffic off the sod for a week.
- Water every day, preferably in the morning. In the first 10 to 14 days after installation, take great care that your sod never dries out.
- Let your lawn grow to around 3 inches before you mow it, and be as gentle as possible the first time because your lawn is still settling (the first mow will be around 2 weeks after installation). Mow when the grass blades are dry and set your mower blades to 2-3 inches high.
- After the first week, you can cut back to watering every other day, and by the 2nd and 3rd week you can water 1-2 times per week. After this, cut down to around 1 inch of water once a week, like you would any lawn.
- Fertilize your lawn about once a month after installation to keep it healthy and green.
New sod watering schedule at a glance
| When | How often to water |
|---|---|
| Installation day | Water thoroughly to settle the soil |
| Week 1 (days 1-7) | Every day, preferably in the morning. Never let it dry out. |
| Through day 10-14 | Keep the sod from drying out |
| After week 1 | Every other day |
| Weeks 2-3 | 1-2 times per week |
| After week 3 | About 1 inch of water, once a week |
For tips once the post-installation watering is complete, check out this article.
Common questions
How often should I water new sod?
Every day, preferably in the morning, for the first week. Make sure it never dries out during the first 10-14 days. Then every other day, then 1-2 times a week in weeks 2-3, then about 1 inch once a week.
When can I mow new sod?
Around 2 weeks after installation, once the grass is about 3 inches tall. Mow when the blades are dry, gently, with the mower set to 2-3 inches.
When can I walk on new sod?
Try to keep foot traffic off it for about a week after installation.
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