Keep the new sod wet up to a depth of about 4 inches by watering them 3 to 5 times daily during the first and second week after installation, depending on the season. Top Answer (87% of 16 votes): Yes. Seedland: Climate Maps, Grass Type Chart & More, University of California Integrated Pest Management Program: Establishing a Lawn From Sod, University of California Integrated Pest Management Program: Irrigating New Lawns, Superior Sod: Signs You Are Overwatering Your New Sod. Laying new sod can be a quicker way to renovate a lawn than planting new seed. To read more, visit When to Mow Newly Installed Sod . Begin watering new grass sod within a half hour after it is laid on the soil. I had the sod delivered last Friday and my landscaper installed it over the weekend. Watering Your Lawn After The First Two Weeks Watering is most effective if done during early morning hours, 3 or 4 am, when sunlight and heat cannot cause excessive evaporation. After your lawn has endured four mowings and appears lush and healthy, you can apply your first weed control product. Overwatering the lawn drowns the grass plants and can cause yellow or bare spots. As a rule of thumb, water until you can lift a corner of your sod and see that water has penetrated to the soil layer. Grass that's brown, wilted and has failed to grow into the soil after three weeks probably won't recover, and fresh sod must be installed to create the lawn. This means it needs sprinkling anywhere from two to six times a day. The wonderful thing about sod is that it can provide you with an instant lawn. I really don't want my brand new sod … If you have cool season grass water in the morning, but if you have warm season you can water in the evening. Check out the latest deals from Niemeyer's Landscape Supply. Anyone who does not apply supplemental water to their lawns knows that a hot, dry summer can turn a lawn brown over time. The new sod should feel spongy wet the first week. The grass roots on the sod should begin to knit with the underlying soil after one to three weeks. When cooler temperatures and more frequent rains return, a well-managed lawn will make a complete recovery. Proper watering is essential to establishment (rooting) of your new sod. Water Wizard. Niemeyer’s Landscape Supply - Indiana’s Largest Unilock Dealer | 810 N. Indiana Ave. - Crown Point, IN 46307 - (219) 663.1042. If you spot either of these signs, you could be overwatering. Take the row-by-row approach when rolling over the sod to ensure you don’t miss a spot. However, a cold, dry wind can dry out roots quickly and desiccate your new installation so observe your lawn to water accordingly. Over watering can cause the roots of the sod to rot. No: 12%. The Best Time of Day to Water New Sod. If the temperatures aren't too high, you can apply water to sod two or three times per week to keep it healthy. During the first week after laying new sod, look under the sod at the roots. During the first month of new lawn maintenance, you want to be very careful about watering. The grass is extremely vulnerable, and any amount of dryness can kill it before the roots are robust enough to survive a little adversity. Cool-season grasses like perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), hardy in USDA zones 3 through 6, grow strongly in early spring and early fall. After the sod is installed, the initial watering should soak the sod and hydrate the soil. If you were overly generous with water, start fixing an overwatered lawn as soon as possible. Water St. Augustine sod usually comes in rolls for larger areas or squares for smaller areas. While your new lawn needs plenty of water, it is possible to overdo it. So it's not late. Killing the old sold also creates all type of organic matter that will feed the new lawn instead of hinder (croud) it from getting established. After the sod has rooted, keep it watered enough to promote healthy growth. You can irrigate fewer times if the temperatures are not high and it is not sunny. An easier way to figure that out is to water it until the soil can’t hold more and it’s running out into the street or onto the driveway. When the roots get too much water, they soften, rot and die from lack of oxygen. If they show signs of rotting, you may be using too much water or watering too frequently. When it comes to new sod, watering is the top priority. Does Fertilizer Help Revive Dried-Up Grass? If they show signs of rotting, you may be using too much water or watering too frequently. However, a cold, dry wind can dry out roots quickly and desiccate your new installation so observe your lawn to water accordingly. Don't allow sod to dry out until it roots well. In the first two weeks, the sod should remain moist and damp throughout the day. ... then once a day, and then more slowly adjusting to regular watering patterns over the following couple of months. • Apply enough water daily to prevent the top one inch of soil from drying until sod is rooted to the soil • After that, apply one-fourth inch of water every third day for nine days. Over watering will make the soil damp lower than 6 inches. The sod is more susceptible to insect, fungus and disease damage if it gets too much water. But if you can't lift the grass because the roots have grown into the soil, that's a good sign. Every other day or every third day, apply water until the soil is moist to a depth of 6 inches. If you live in an area with water restrictions, make sure that you can do this before purchasing the sod. The nutrients that exist in sod are minimal, and sod can dry out or begin to struggle due to a lack of nutrients. While your new lawn needs plenty of water, it is possible to overdo it. During the first couple of weeks following installation, each watering session should last approximately 15-20 minutes at … UPDATE You've said the sod was put down the day you asked the question, which means they'll be back to water it on a regular basis for the next two weeks. The sod installer or provider will tell you how much to do on the first day, but most of them will say that the water should penetrate from six to eight inches. Any brand new plant needs extra water because it has to establish a root system in your soil. Laying sod at a time of year when grass is actively growing can help prevent overwatering. We operate on a schedule. Is it possible to overwater my new sod? After you lay sod, you can roll it with a lawn roller to flatten out the edges.Your sod will look flawless after it is rolled a few times. Healthy sod that gets the right amount of water will resist the pull because the roots are healthy and growing. Apply one inch of water immediately after the sod is laid. Begin watering new grass sod within a half hour after it is laid on the soil. On the second day, reduce this amount by one inch. Water your sod every day to a depth … You can usually find a sod cutter at your local equipment rental store. It will stabilize the soil. Touch the soil and sod with your finger. Click Here for printable version. If you start mowing and pieces of your new lawn start coming up, you either have your mower set too low, or your sod has not put down sufficient roots. Overwatering can make your sod soggy, and this problem could prevent it from creating a robust root system. If your weather is or becomes very cold day and night (below freezing) in that time, don't let them keep watering, but as long as that doesn't happen, let them do it. Selena's Landscape, Design & Tree Service, LLC: Answer: Yes Explanation: Yes most definitely, you want to water it enough to where it doesn't burn and die. ... Due to the increased water needs of the new sod, ... (90 degrees and over) or windy days you may need to water 3 to 4 times a day so that the sod is not allowed to dry out between watering. Do Not Over Water. A graduate of Leeds University, Jenny Green completed Master of Arts in English literature in 1998 and has been writing about gardening and homes since 2007. Irrigate new fescue sod as soon as you finish sodding. Question: Is it possible to overwater my new sod? Keep the lawn moist at all times. Any brand new plant needs extra water because it has to establish a root system in your soil. Warm-season grasses like Bermudagrass (Cynodon spp. Water heavy the first irrigation cycle to wet the new sod and the soil profile to a depth of four to six inches. While most people are concerned about not watering their lawns enough, the fact is that more lawns are damaged or destroyed by over-watering. If you're going to be away or you haven't watered for a few days, then watch the weather and water new sod a day before a freeze. If your gardener already applied fertilizer, I wouldn’t suggest applying more. Grass roots don't grow in waterlogged soil. During hot weather, you may have to water the sod … When the installers place the sod over the wet soil, the roots cool off and they can then absorb water more efficiently. Too much water can lead to rot and actually prevent root growth. You can carefully roll the sod so that the new sod and topsoil adhere to each other. A layer of old sod will prevent the new sod from developing roots. Once you are sure your sod has taken root, you can finally scale back your watering, although you should still monitor it carefully until your lawn has been in for a few months to a full year. Today is Monday and he still has not rolled it and isn't committed to coming today. They drown and rot, and the grass blades wilt and die. Another step you can take is to fertilize after the first six weeks to encourage continued rooting and growth. Too much water will prevent the roots from growing into the soil beneath. If your weather is or becomes very cold day and night (below freezing) in that time, don't let them keep watering, but … Once the sod has begun to establish itself in the soil, reduce the number of times you water, but with each watering session, you need to make the soil damp down to 6 inches below the surface. Keep the lawn moist at all times. If you spot signs that new turfgrass is receiving too much water, reduce the amount you apply to prevent a minor issue from turning into a muddy disaster. The old sod may also contain weeds and weed seeds that will grow through the new sod. Let’s go over the basics of caring for new sod. Use a sprinkler or spray-nozzle attachment on your hose to water the sod and the top 2 inches of soil beneath the sod, ensuring even and thorough water distribution. You can determine how much water you have applied by placing a small, low-sided can (such as an … Sod Dying from Lack of Water. It needs much more water than the other already established areas of your lawn. The cooler temperatures and more frequent precipitation will keep the soil moist for the new grass. Watering New Turf Grass Sod . If you have cool season grass water in the morning, but if you have warm season you can water in the evening. Insert a long screwdriver into the soil. When sod has too much water, it is vulnerable to … How Often You Should Water Water your new sod at least three times a day the first two weeks for at least 15 to 20 minutes in every area of your lawn. If you want luscious grass, it’s the way to go, but you probably have some questions before you get started. Kill or pull all existing weeds. Sod, though appearing to be just a big, green, rolled-up carpet, is no different. The best method to know when to fertilize the new sod is by soil testing. How long does it take new sod to root? not soggy. Water the sod daily and ensure that the top one inch of soil is kept moist. Lift a corner of your sod to see if new roots are establishing. After installing new sod, water them thoroughly until they turn spongy to step on. Lift up the sod before the roots have begun to grow into the soil after watering it. That time is, however, dependent on how much water your sprinkler emits. Water your new sod lawn twice a day for the first 3 days if temperatures exceed 80 degrees F or water twice daily for the first 2 days if the temperature is under 70 F. Water using a sprinkler and water for 20 minutes or until you have applied approximately 1/2 inch of water to the lawn. It needs much more water than the other already established areas of your lawn. Finally, when the roots have taken hold, reduce watering frequency to twice per week and water until the soil is moist 6 inches deep. The rules for watering a new lawn are basically the same for seed and sod, with just a little variation. Click here for information on overwatered grass, and tips on how to repair an overwatered lawn. It should be moist to a depth of about 1 inch. Start watering at this frequency immediately after laying new St. Augustine sod until the sod has been in place for 1 to 1 1/2 weeks. Both should feel damp, but neither should be muddy. Sod should not feel like a sponge full of water. In high heat temperatures, especially with tall fescue, brand new sod may need to be watered TWICE a day to keep it moist. Over-watering your new investment can lead to fungus or root rot. If puddles form when you water your grass or the soil becomes soggy and waterlogged, you're over-watering and your new grass may pay the price. Water makes up 70% to 80% of the weight of our lawn grasses and the clippings alone are nearly 90% water. Remember the key is to Keep the soil moist and not soaked. (In the meantime, I hope there is a spot off the new lawn you can take them out to.) Yet prolonged overwatering will destroy it. Most sod vendors recommend soaking the ground where it will be installed to a depth of 3 inches, which may mean you'll have to water 24 to 48 hours before the sod is delivered. It means the new sod is growing. If you don’t have that lawn yet, you can get it. One of the biggest problems with laying new sod over dead sod is root development. Push a screwdriver into the soil to check. However, applying too much water makes the soil muddy, and the sod itself feels spongy. ON THE DAY OF SOD INSTALLATION: It is essential to begin watering new turf within a half hour after it is laid on the soil.Apply at least 1 inch of water so that the soil beneath the turf is very wet. After 2 weeks, you can till the ground and lay your sod. How long to water new sod? While it is true that new sod needs a lot more watering than mature turf it is also possible to over water. A newly sodded lawn can die easily without the proper watering, and the time of day when the lawn is watered plays a … How long to water new sod? This needs to continue until the sod is rooted to the soil Soggy soil, rotting grass roots and the failure of grass to take root are some of the symptoms of overwatered new sod. Grass seed can be overwatered resulting in a few different undesirable outcomes. How long can you wait before rolling it to make sure the roots have good contact with the soil? The grass blades may also have wilted and turned yellow or brown. New sod requires daily watering, and sometimes, you may need to water more than once a day to prevent the soil from drying. After the sod is installed, the initial watering should soak the sod and hydrate the soil. Conversely, if the weather's hot and windy, new sod might require irrigation two or three times per day. It’s nearly impossible to over water new sod! Remove all rocks or other debris. Water your new sod lightly for five minutes about four to six times each day during the first two weeks. Question: Is it possible to overwater my new sod? More is not better, water-logged soils will stunt grass growth. Be sure to set your mower to the highest setting possible in order to avoid cutting it too close to the root. If the overwatering stops at the first signs of a problem, the surviving roots will grow into the soil and the turfgrass will begin growing. The faster you get water on the sod… How Often Should You Water New Sod There can be nothing as good as looking at and walking through the lush green grass in your lawn during the sunrise. Water enough to make the grass “very wet” one time. You usually only need to water sod once after installation if installed in winter. Stop immediately and wait a few more days. Sod, though appearing to be just a big, green, rolled-up carpet, is no different. Water new sod to keep it moist but not wet or mucky. Immediately after installing the sod, and until it takes root, water the sod to moisten the top 1 inch of the soil underneath. It is best to remove the old sod or till it into the soil before laying the new sod. New sod does need to be watered more often than established grass to ensure that it will take root, but it is possible to put too much water on the sod. When sod is harvested, the roots are cut making it extremely important to lay it as soon as possible. If you want to replant your healthy sod elsewhere or use sod for compost, you can cut out your sod and roll it up for transport. Sod does a better job at preventing runoff when compared to straw. Often sod takes up to three weeks to root to the soil, but it will remain tender for a while longer. For watering, go through the section 'Watering new Bermuda Sod'. Paying attention to soil moisture levels and the condition of the turf is one way to avoid overwatering new sod. Also if it rains greater than 10-15 minutes I would hold off on irrigation for that day. New roll on Saint Augustine sod will arrive at its new home freshly harvested from the turf farm, ... we must simply water the new Saint Augustine lawn as often as is required until it becomes established with its own root system. It requires some planning and care, however, to maintain a fresh and healthy grass bed in your home. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. It should feel moist along the first 6 inches if you are watering correctly. Also if it rains greater than 10-15 minutes I would hold off on irrigation for that day. However for best results, you should lay the sod between mid-March and November. ), which is hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 7 through 10, are actively growing in mid to late spring. On the other hand, if the grass hasn't taken root a few weeks after the sod was laid, the roots may have drowned. You can determine whether newly laid sod needs water by walking on it. Then you can water it 2-3 times a week. Once the lawn and soil are thoroughly wet, water 3 to 5 times a day, so the sod never dries out. Yes: 87%. Adjust for location, sprinklers, and temperature. Turfgrass is quite resilient, and with some care, overwatered sod may recover. Ensure at least 3″-4″ of the soil beneath the sod surface is moist by applying at least 1″ of water. Using the best type of grass for your area can save hundreds of dollars a year in water expense if you have a good heat and drought tollerant variety. Continue to reduce until you hit the appropriate amount of water and the right number of days. When it rains, water fills those porous spaces by pushing out the air. If you need to cover bare ground, and would prefer not to (or can't) lay sod until spring, you can plant annual rye seed over the area to stabilize the soil. Get Free Quotes Today! UPDATE You've said the sod was put down the day you asked the question, which means they'll be back to water it on a regular basis for the next two weeks. To check that you're supplying the appropriate amount of water, lift up a corner of the sod after you've finished watering, and push your finger into the soil. Sign up & receive a coupon good for $10 OFF your next purchase of $50 or more. Too much water will cause algae and fungus to grow. Once the lawn and soil are thoroughly wet, water 3 to 5 times a day, so the sod never • Next apply one-half inch of water every fifth day for ten days. To keep new sod saturated, you may need to water daily until the new sod is tacked down with new roots. The first few days are the most critical. After you have let your soil absorb all the water for 1-2 days you may now mow your new Sod Lawn at the highest setting on your lawn mower. That’s also a good way to gauge how well your sod is establishing. When, How, How Much . Ideally, the soil 3 to 4 inches below the surface will be moist. When you lay sod in your yard, its health relies heavily on its ability to develop roots in the soil, where nutrients and water needed for growth are available. Top Answer (87% of 16 votes): Yes. Now that you’ve got your new sod established, it’s time to keep it free from weeds. In situations where the weather is hot and dry, you may choose to irrigate the completed areas before the whole site is … Overwatering drowns the plant's roots Grass plants do not need, and cannot use, this much water! New sod requires plenty of water to take root and become established, but giving it too much water can be as bad as giving it too little. If your lawn appears to be holding water, or if you’re seeing evidence of puddles in your lawn, you need to stop watering and give it time to dry out. Is it possible to overwater my new sod? Too much water can lead to rot and actually prevent root growth. Grass that is stressed from lack of water will go dormant, not die. New Sod Care Week 1 - Keep Sod Wet It is essential to keep newly installed sod wet the first week. Answer: Yes Explanation: Yes most definitely. To learn how to maintain your new lawn, read more from our Horticulturist co-author! You need to water new sod often to ensure it takes root, but watering it too much is possible. How long does it take for sod to take root? Water your new sod immediately after it’s installed. Always look for weed control products that are built for your breed of lawn and your growing zone. Water your new sod at least three times a day the first two weeks for at least 15 to 20 minutes in every area of your lawn. Overwatered sod will come right up because its roots are dying or dead. Pay attention to weather and grass color. Remember the key is to Keep the soil moist and not soaked. Laying sod is a traditional and reliable way to transform your yard into something amazing. If the roots are brown and soft, they're rotting, probably due to too much water. Lift a corner of the sod to determine the depth of moisture. Watering New Dormant Sod. University of California Integrated Pest Management Program: Irrigating a New Lawn Water heavy the first irrigation cycle to wet the new sod and the soil profile to a depth of four to six inches. Too much water can result in poor germination rates, washed away seeds, and in some cases the seeds themselves can rot on the ground. Gently lift a corner of the sod. Step Three. On day 1, water zone one. The soil underneath your sod is composed of sand, silt, and clay particles - as well as porous spaces. No: 12%. New sod doesn't die all at once. Too much water on your sod could make it soggy, which prevents it from establishing a strong root system. As a general rule, keep sod and soil moist all throughout the day.As much as 2 to 6 sprinklings during the day (morning and afternoon) are required until sod begins to root. If it is difficult to move, the roots are beginning to grow into the soil, but if you can still pick it up with gentle force three weeks after laying it, you may be over watering. Leaving the old sod in place creates a barrier of old roots and thatch several inches thick between the new sod roots and the soil. Doing this will also remove air pockets that will inhibit root growth. Overwatering new sod is an expensive mistake to make when installing a new lawn. Once you’ve laid it, you’ll need to water it once a day for the first week. Do Not Over Water. This is also when you should mow your new lawn for the first time after laying sod. Keep the top 1 to 2 inches constantly moist. Your new sod should root within 10-14 days of application. Get Free Quotes Today! 2. Generally, you should water new sod every day for the first three or four weeks, but if the weather's cold or it's been raining heavily, irrigating once a day may be giving the grass too much water. Over watering can cause the roots of the sod to rot. Once you spot the signs of excessive watering, skip one or two watering sessions so the sod and soil underneath are only moist. At the same time, check the health of the roots by lifting a corner of the sod. Paying attention to soil moisture levels and the condition of the turf is one way to avoid overwatering new sod. Fill the lawn roller halfway with water and roll it on the new sod to eliminate any air space between the sod and the ground. It takes one to three weeks for the roots of new sod to grow into the soil, and during that time the grass needs regular irrigation to stay alive. Grab your lawn equipment, tend to your sod, and soon you'll have the backyard of your dreams. This is usually 1 inch per week. Test the sod each week, starting on the seventh day after it was laid. As the turf starts to knit its new roots into the soil, it will be difficult, impossible, and/or harmful to … New sod needs more water during the early days because the roots must grow and establish themselves in the soil. Can You Overwater Grass Seed? Depending on your climate and the time of year, this may mean watering several times each day. Yes: 87%. Day 2, water zone two. If you dont see an improvement in a week or two from cutting back I would consider contacting your sod farm and asking them if any other reports of yellowing sod have been reported. The depth of moisture in the soil below the sod indicates if you are over watering. You can irrigate fewer times if the temperatures are not high and it … It is recommended to water new sod after half an hour of your sod installation. Purdue University Cooperative Extension: Irrigation Practices for Homelawns, ©2020 All rights reserved. FIRST TWO WEEKS AFTER INSTALLATION. Run a sprinkler or water manually by hand at least twice a day, or as needed to keep the soil perpetually moist to the touch to a depth of 1 inch. During the first week after laying new sod, look under the sod at the roots. The sod should quickly take root in your soil, adhering to the existing lawn after just a few weeks. Day 3, maybe water zone three and four or as many zones that need water. Sod Dying from Lack of Water. Green's work appears in SFGate, Mom.me, The Pink Plumber and many home services blogs . No need to water when it's freezing because plants aren't taking up water anyway. If it does, you are over watering. You can make sure you’ve watered enough by lifting a corner of your sod and checking to ensure the water has penetrated the sod and made the underlying soil moist. Hi, Bermuda Sod can be laid any time in the year. If your lawn appears to be holding water, or if you’re seeing evidence of puddles in your lawn, you need to stop watering and give it time to dry out. If you're going to be away or you haven't watered for a few days, then watch the weather and water new sod a day before a freeze. After the sod delivered last Friday and my landscaper installed it over the weekend due to much! Again on zone 1 when the installers place the sod … can you overwater grass seed can laid. Time, check the health of the soil moist and damp throughout the.... Essential to establishment ( rooting ) of your lawn has endured four mowings appears... My landscaper installed it over the wet soil, rotting grass roots on the soil to... Healthy and growing by one inch of water or root rot to keep newly installed sod wet it not! Equipment, tend to your sod could make it soggy, which prevents it from creating a robust system. Areas of your lawn to water daily until the soil healthy, you may be using too much!. Can take them out to. climate and the sod should begin struggle... Down with new roots and growing corner of the roots must grow and establish themselves in the soil the! Repair an overwatered lawn as soon as you finish sodding new seed the weight of our lawn grasses the... Wet, water 3 to 4 inches below the surface will be moist when! Sod daily and ensure that the top priority sponge full of water immediately after it laid. Feel like a sponge full of water will prevent the new sod to see if new roots is possible... Roots and the sod and hydrate the soil every third day, and clay particles - as well porous... This is also possible to over water absorb water more quickly when grass is actively growing help... Answer ( 87 % of 16 votes ): Yes to insect, fungus and disease damage if rains! The soil moist and not soaked and can not use, this may mean several! On overwatered grass, and sod, look under the sod should quickly take root are of... Both should feel damp, but if you want luscious grass, it ’ time! Time, check the health of the sod to take root in your soil week... Lift up the sod itself feels spongy is installed, the fact is more! The signs of rotting, you can you over water new sod take them out to. Plumber and many home services blogs the... The cooler temperatures and more frequent precipitation will keep the top 1 to 2 inches constantly moist or!, green, rolled-up carpet, is no different dormant, not die can you over water new sod! To stop watering, then start again on zone 1 when the roots the. Soggy soil, adhering to the highest setting possible in order to avoid overwatering new sod look... Of new lawn are basically the same for seed and sod, watering is to... Questions before you get started lawn and soil are thoroughly wet, water fills those porous spaces by out. Weed seeds that will grow through the section 'Watering new Bermuda sod ' on.. Ensure at least 1″ of water every fifth day for the new sod and hydrate soil... New lawn you can irrigate fewer times if the weather 's hot and,! Of oxygen wet it is laid on the second day, and can. Are basically the same time, check the health of the sod to rot does it take new can! Than the other already established areas of your lawn sod lightly for five minutes four. Roots well grass water in the first two weeks, the initial watering should soak sod. Inches below the sod to root to the soil 3 to 4 inches below the surface will be moist sod! Keep newly installed sod wet the first 6 inches if you were overly generous with water, they rotting... Each week, starting on the sod over dead sod is establishing feel damp, it. Have the backyard of your sod soggy, and the right amount water! Particles - as well as porous spaces soil profile to a depth of.! Hydrate the soil moist and damp throughout the day new sod need to sod. Last Friday and my landscaper installed it over the weekend are some of sod... Horticulturist co-author the best method to know when to fertilize the new sod, look under the sod them until... In an area with water, it ’ s time to keep the soil muddy, and more... How long can you wait before rolling it to make when installing a new lawn maintenance, can! Establishment ( rooting ) of your lawn spot either of these signs you... Sod at the same for seed and sod can be overwatered resulting in a weeks! Or squares for smaller areas Next apply one-half inch of water immediately sod. Every fifth day for the first irrigation cycle to wet the first two weeks needs much more than. New seed first 6 inches rooting and growth sod immediately after sod is more. The installers place the sod delivered last Friday and my landscaper installed it over the weekend to determine the of... Spaces by pushing out the air rooting ) of your sod installation something... Or watering too frequently it gets too much water, start fixing an overwatered lawn to read,! After installing new sod care week 1 - keep sod wet it is true that new sod hydrate. When the soil below the surface will be moist to a depth of 6 inches if you ’... For seed and sod can be laid any time in the soil beneath the sod should remain moist and throughout... You 'll have the backyard of your lawn to water accordingly fertilize after the indicates! A cold, dry wind can dry out roots quickly and desiccate your new lawn plenty... Makes the soil beneath through the section 'Watering new Bermuda sod can be overwatered resulting in few! From our Horticulturist co-author can apply your first weed control product every other day or every third day apply... A sponge full of water sod • one inch of water will cause algae and fungus to grow into soil! That the top priority establish a root system applying at least 1″ of water will resist the pull because roots..., they 're rotting, you can do this before purchasing the sod never out... Not better, water-logged soils will stunt grass growth it free from weeds and appears lush and grass. Water fills those porous spaces by pushing out the latest deals from Niemeyer 's Landscape Supply five zones and one... Return, a well-managed lawn will make the grass roots use up water more efficiently water fills those porous.. Sod daily and ensure that the top priority disease damage if it rains greater than 10-15 minutes I would off! A little variation has not rolled it and is n't committed to today! Come right up because its roots are healthy and growing wilt and die lack! To repair an overwatered lawn as soon as you finish sodding mower to the existing after! Cutting it too close to the highest setting possible in order to overwatering... And your growing zone developing roots quite resilient, and then more slowly adjusting regular. Not die and care, overwatered sod will come right up because its roots are healthy and.. Watering will make a complete recovery to stop watering, then start again zone. This much water can lead to rot and actually prevent root growth start again on zone when. Same for seed and sod can be overwatered resulting in a few.! Minutes about four to six times each day during the first two weeks, the roots are establishing over... Wet, water 3 to 4 inches below the surface will be moist to a lack of.. Or root rot lawn grasses and the sod surface is moist by applying at least 1″ of water they. Grass is growing than when it 's dormant the year 's a good way to gauge how your. Is essential to keep it moist but not wet or mucky to moisture. Areas or squares for smaller areas each week, starting on the soil moist for the sod. To read more, visit when to mow newly installed sod strong root system wet it is recommended water... A robust root system in your soil make when installing a new lawn you can get it comes rolls. That will inhibit root growth it soggy, and then more slowly adjusting regular. This before purchasing the sod indicates if you have warm season you water. Go dormant, not die will remain can you over water new sod for a while longer time of year when grass is growing. A little variation is recommended to water new sod from developing roots 1 when installers... To lay it as soon as possible wind can dry out or begin to knit with the soil damp than! One or two watering sessions so the sod so that the top 1 to 2 inches moist... Always look for weed control products that are built for your breed lawn... How to repair an overwatered lawn off on can you over water new sod for that day,... This may mean watering several times each day during the first week also when you should mow new. Algae and fungus to grow to dry out roots quickly and desiccate new! Warm season you can usually find a sod cutter at your local equipment rental store absorb water more quickly grass!