Establishing a sod lawn is not very difficult. Sod should be placed on dry land within the same day of when it is delivered. However, if temperatures are over 80 degrees water the ground the previous day to bring down the soil heat. Take care not to over water to make sure that you or the installers are not operating in muddy conditions. Shortly after the sod is installed the initial irrigation will need to drench the sod and moisten the soil. Pretty much all you have to do is water frequently and keep off. Always keep the lawn moistened continuously, if at all possible by frequent short watering schedules. Water twice a day at 8AM and 1PM (early morning and early mid-day) if the tempuratures are under 95°. The watering process should be repeated thrice daily in the hottest months of the season, 95° plus, at approximately 8 AM, 11AM and 1PM each day. DON’T LET THE LAWN DRY OUT!!! Remember the key's to KEEP IT MOIST, NOT SOAKED. Too much water causes algae and fungus.
Watering is best suited if done during early morning time, Three or four am, when sunlight and heat cannot cause excessive evaporation. After your lawn becomes established it needs approximately 1 ½ inches of water every week, ½ inch every other day, during the heat of the summer season. Spring and fall might require maybe once or twice weekly watering depending on climatic conditions. Cut water back throughout the winter season, at times your lawn will only require watering once or twice a month, depending on weather conditions. The soil must be condensed through when watered. Water should penetrate at the least 6 inches into your soil to ensure strong rooting. In case your lawn needs water it will turn from bright green to blue or gray-green.
Commercial fertilizer needs to be applied ahead of your laying the sod at a rate of 1 lb. per 150 Sq. Ft. This use of fertilizer must provide the nutrients to get the sod a proper start. An extra application of fertilizer must be applied again every six or eight weeks. We advise a great purpose fertilizer such as triple 15 or 16. Lawns normally do not need feeding during Dec. or Jan. Remember when you see a lawn that appears great its because the owner did quick and easy things with consistency, proper watering, mowing, fertilizing and weed control.
A whole new sod lawn must be mowed the first time between 10-14 days. Delaying the primary cutting allows for too much shading, blade widening and possible sunburn. Set your mower at its highest setting, lowering an environment each mowing till the lawn is cut at Two inches. Never get rid of more that 1/3 of the blade length at any mowing. Weekly mowing is important throughout the growing season. Lawn mower blades should always be kept sharp in order to avoid bruised and torn grass which acquires unsightly white blade tops.
Weeds will appear in your new lawn. They come from seeds which have lain dormant in your yard or which have been taken in by wind or birds. These weeds can best be controlled by growing good healthy grass. Grass which is properly watered, mowed, and well fertilized provides an excessive amount of competition for weed plants to achieve any stronghold. However you will find chemical remedies which will be able to help whenever your lawn has matured, usually after 3 mowings. Weed -B-Gon for broad leaf and Weed-hoe for grassy weeds. Pre-emergent is essential to maintain crabgrass, spurge and approximately 35 other weeds from your lawn. Treatment should be applied the first part of February and again in mid May on a yearly basis. Should your lawn ever become damaged or have bare spots, reseed or sod immediately to counteract competing weed growth from becoming established.
Do you have a sod? You might as well check San Diego sod for more tips on sod.
