- Ground Preparation
- Install When Delivered
- Watering During Installation is Critical
- Initial Watering
- Maintenance Tips
Ground Preparation
Good soil preparation is essential for healthy sod grass establishment. By following these guidelines, you’ll be on your way to a beautiful lawn.
Begin by removing any surface rocks or debris. We recommend adding mulch (1 cubic yard per 1,000 square feet) and finely-ground gypsum (50 pounds per 1,000 square feet) to create a healthy soil. We recommend ordering fresh top soil from BigYellowBag. Till in soil amendments to a depth of 4" to 6." Now is also the best time to install your sprinkler system. As you are working the soil additional debris may appear which should be removed.
Work the soil to create a level surface for installation. Water heavily to compact the soil, then use a roller as a final step to eliminate any air pockets. This will reduce settling which will lead to an uneven surface. Your final grade should be 1/2" - 1" below walkways, and 1/2" below sprinkler heads.
Install When Delivered
Be
sure to install your sod on the same day it’s delivered. Begin
by laying the sod lengthwise along a straight edge, such as a walkway
or driveway. Joints should be butted tightly together, but not overlapping.
Stagger the sod pieces similar to a row of bricks. You will need
to use a sharp knife to cut around curves or sprinkler heads.
Watering During Installation is Critical
Begin lightly hand watering each piece of sod throughout the installation process. It is imperative to keep the sod moist, even as it is being installed. This will prevent wilting and drying the delicate roots. This is the single most important part of the successfully establishing your new lawn.
Once all sod has been installed, water lightly and then roll your newly installed sod once again to ensure a level surface and to press out any air pockets.
Initial Watering
Newly installed sod should be kept consistently wet for the first 7-10 days, until the sod has enough roots to seek out moisture in the soil. However, do not let water puddle. Average watering time is 5 to10 minutes, 4-6 times per day. Water application rates vary greatly among sprinkler brands and you will need to adjust this according to your situation.
If you notice water beginning to puddle, we advise decreasing the watering time and increasing the watering frequency.
Once your sod grass is established, we recommend watering 2 to 3 times per week for 10 to 45 minutes. Early morning watering is best.
Summer Schedule
| Number of Weeks | Times per Day | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| First Two Weeks | 4 - 8 | 5 - 10 minutes |
| Third Week | 1 | 15 - 45 minutes |
| Established Lawns | 2 - 3 times per week | 10 - 25 minutes |
Maintenance Tips
To maintain your new lawn, you should begin mowing no sooner than 2 weeks after installation. Mow frequently enough that you remove no more than 1/3" of the height of the grass.
Fertilizing every 30 days is an important key to a healthy lawn. Use a fertilizer with high nitrogen, medium phosphorous, and medium potassium such as 16-8-4, 21-7-14, 26-4-2 or 24-0-4, just to name a few popular analyses. Be sure to water according to our suggested watering schedule. This will not only assist with under or over watering, it will help your new sod flourish and properly develop a healthy root system.
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Helpful Information
For questions or to order by phone call:
(505) 384-2430
Get FREE local delivery with orders of 2000 sq/ft or more.