How to take care of new sod?

The first thing that needs to be done to new sod is watering. The sod needs to be watered as soon as it is laid. The hotter the temperature the sooner it needs to be watered. When the temperature is above 80 degrees the new grass should be watered at least two times a day. The best time to water the grass is in the morning between 6-9am, and in the evening between 5-7pm. 

Starter Fertilizer should be spread on the new sod. It can also be laid in the soil before the sod is laid. It is always best to fertilize in the morning or the evening when the sun is not bright and it is cool. It is a good idea to water the grass right after the fertilizer is spread. 

Never spread fertilize if you do not plan on watering it in. Spreading fertilizer without watering can damage the new grass by burning it.

Do not use regular fertilizer on new sod it is recommend to use starter fertilizer only. 

Once you have the sod watered and fertilized you have to continue your watering schedule until the sod is rooted. The new turf takes about 3 to 4 weeks to root if you are watering on a regular basis.  

It is recommended to water new sod at least 2 times a day for at least 30 minutes each time you water. You should continue the watering schedule for at least a month. Once the turf is rooted you can change your watering schedule to one time a day for at least 30 minutes.

Remember that each yard has its on watering schedule. Some yards are shaded and some have direct sunlight. If your lawn has no shade you may have to water it more frequently. Shaded yards might only need to be watered once every other day. 

Yards that are damp because they do not have a lot of direct sunlight may need a fungicide applied to the lawn to prevent the new sod from getting a disease. 

Apply a insecticide to new lawns to prevent the lawn from being infested with worms that eat the roots of the sod and also to protect it from other insects that feed on fresh grass. 

Key things to do to a new lawn are:

1. Water lawn 

2. Start a watering schedule that is best for your lawn

3. Apply starter fertilizer 

4. Apply insecticide 

5. Apply a fungicide if you have a damp yard. 

6. Once your lawn is rooted/established change your watering schedule