It’s a big decision as a homeowner to install sod on a new build, or as part of a remodel to refresh your yard. Taking care of your recently laid turf with new grass fertilization treatments gives your lawn the best chance to establish strong, healthy roots. The first two weeks of care are vital to the turf taking root, so working with a highly-experienced, knowledgeable North Texas lawn care service after sod placement is vital. Let’s look at why taking care of your sod is important, and how to maintain new sod.
Why is Initial Sod Maintenance Important?
A healthy lawn doesn’t just happen. There are key steps to take (in a certain order), each having various elements to ensure the sod takes root. While North Texas weather tends to be favorable for sod installation year-round, you must take into consideration what turf you have (and the season you’re laying it) to make sure you get the best looking, envy-inducing lawn. And one of the biggest steps involved in the process of maintaining new sod is a diligent watering schedule!
Watering Tips for New Sod to Become a Lush Lawn
Lawn care is about much more than just watering and mowing, but when you first lay the new sod, it may feel like they’re the most important.
New sod needs extra attention so strong roots can be established, and following the recommendations for North Texas sod care is essential. Keep in mind that fresh sod is vulnerable to damage. In a nutshell, you should start the watering process the very day you lay the sod, and keep your new grass saturated for the next couple of weeks. Beginning the day your grass is planted and for the first week or so, water for 15–30 minutes two or three times a day. Reduce watering if you notice runoff, but keep the new sod moist and saturated. To check, you might peel back a corner of the sod to ensure it is moist.
After that, reduce watering for the next two weeks. Water every other day for about 30 minutes. The grass should be taking root. A schedule like that weans the grass from the water and trains the roots to reach deeper, creating a more hearty lawn. You should find that lifting a sod corner at this stage is more difficult, as your new yard is starting to establish itself more vigorously. If you can pull the corner easily, it’s probably not taking root, and you need to water more.
Maintaining New Sod Requires Fertilizer & Consistency
As you move into week three, the grass should have become more established, and you can begin a more traditional maintenance program. If it has taken root, you can begin mowing it. You should also lessen the watering to about one inch per week, remembering to water in the morning. If you continue seeing positive results, you can add fertilizer after about six weeks. Look for a fertilizer with a ratio of 3:1:2 NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium).
The care and initial maintenance of a new lawn takes some extra care, and following recommendations carefully is critical for lawn success. But when you see the lush green results, you’ll be happy you took the time! Or to make it a little easier, you can call in lawn care service specialists to take care of your lawn’s needs.
Get Quality Professional Lawn Care Services in North Texas
Maintaining your yard after new sod takes root is a process to be undertaken with care. The North Texas pros at Green Top Lawn Care can help you keep your new lawn healthy with professional fertilization and weed control. Call us today at (817) 684-4044 or request a free lawn care quote.
