If you’re dreaming of long weekends on a verdant, healthy lawn, replacing your current yard with fresh sod could be the solution. Once you install the patches, you’ll need to help the grass take to the soil beneath, ensuring it stays lush and green for seasons to come. Use the following timeline to properly care for your freshly laid sod. 

A Maintenance Timeline for New Sod

Weeks One & Two

The effort you put in for the first couple of weeks following your planting will determine the lawn’s health for the remainder of the season. To ensure the grass builds strong roots, water it immediately after the installation until soggy.

During the first two weeks, if the weather is warm, continue watering three to five times a day so the sod is always moist. If you don’t use sprinklers, water from the edge of the lawn since footsteps can damage the delicate patches.

Once the two weeks come to a close, allow the sod to dry before mowing. Set the machine to the highest setting to only trim the tops of the blades and avoid pulling the roots out of the ground.

Weeks Three & Four

After 14 days have passed, you can water the new sod less frequently. Hydrate the lawn one to three times daily during the third week after installation, and one to two times every other day in week four. For the best results, water in the morning or evening to limit evaporation. 

Throughout the Season

Your sod will require the most frequent watering during the first six months after it’s planted. To allow the roots to grow deep and strong, focus on less frequent, but deeper watering sessions. These will adequately hydrate the sod, then give it time to dry out and get used to temporary dehydration. As your lawn dries, look for areas that seem to be losing moisture or changing color before others. With this knowledge, you can adjust your irrigation system for more even coverage.

If you’re looking for high-quality sod to replace your patchy or browning lawn, get in touch with Alii Turf of Wahiawa, HI. They’re well-versed in the tropical grasses that thrive in the area, offering everything from Bermuda and St. Augustine grass to Emerald Zoysia. To prevent the growth of weeds, their turf is grown on plastic, without soil. If you want to enhance the curb appeal of your property in Kapolei, Mililani, or Hawaii Kai today, call (808) 293-8873 to request a quote.