Proper Care

 

New sod should be soaked thoroughly daily for the first two weeks. One inch of water should be applied per watering, which amounts to approximately one hour of sprinkling, or until the soil beneath the sod is thoroughly soaked. Pay special attention to all edges, seams and small patches of sod. Watering is best done early in the day so that the grass may dry off by nightfall.

 

After the first two weeks, you may cut back the watering schedule to every third day for the next month and then once per week – twice as long as your normal watering time. Use your judgment in cases of rainstorms or if the sod still appears too dry or too wet after following this schedule. If a thick-bladed, light green grass appears in new sod, don’t be alarmed. This is water grass and it means you may be watering a bit too much. This grass disappears upon mowing and hot weather and after your watering schedule is reduced.

 

Water immediately if the sod appears wilted or if it has shrunk and gaps are evident between the pieces of sod. Sod will not react immediately to watering or stress – so it is best to follow the schedule, use common sense and be patient. The sod can be mowed two weeks after installation, removing no more than 1/3 of the grass blade per mowing. Fertilize the lawn one month after installation.

 

Begin using Weed-N-Feed fertilizers after this first fertilization. It is recommended that a lawn be fertilized every 6-8 weeks during the growing season, beginning in mid-April with a fertilizer with crabgrass preventer and ending in late-September with a low nitrogen fertilizer.

 

 

 

Keep bed moist at all times for a period of two weeks after installation. Fertilize at regular intervals throughout the growing season with a product such as MiracleGro and following package directions.

 

Mulching is beneficial to keep roots moist and prevent weeds. Pick spent buds often. Grass seed must be kept moist constantly during the germination time (approximately the first 30 days). Then water as often as needed and begin weed control and mowing.

 

 

Should you over seed. Yes, because it is effective and the least expensive way for proper lawn care. The turf grass will fill the voids and compete better with weeds. Also over seeding along with core aeration will keep your lawn looking green.

 

The best time to overseed is fall because of the cool nights and shorter days. This will give the best conditions for seed germination. The fall seeding allows the grass to develop a root system to get through the winter. Just make sure you do it before the leaves fall, so the leaves won’t smother the new growth.