In only a few short hours, sod can turn your bare yard into a lush, green oasis. While the installation process may be fairly quick, there’s a lot of maintenance that must be performed to ensure the sod takes root and doesn’t succumb to heat, insects, or disease. Use this guide to provide proper care for your lawn during its first few weeks.

Weeks 1 & 2

When and how much you water are key factors to ensuring the sod takes hold during the first two weeks. Too little water won’t nourish the grass, and too much water will starve the roots of oxygen. As long as the sod isn’t soggy or holding water for several minutes, you aren’t overwatering.

Depending on the type of soil you have, you may need to perform four to six shallow waterings. For example, clay soils should be watered for five minutes approximately four times a day. On the other hand, sandy loam will need at least five waterings for seven minutes each. These times will vary depending on the climate and weather. Decrease the watering frequency in the days leading to the first mowing, which should be about 14 days after installation.

Weeks 3 to 6

Continue to reduce watering frequency after the first mowing. Check root establishment by pulling up a corner of the sod. If you feel resistance, decrease the number of times you water each day but increase the number of minutes. Deeper, less frequent waterings will help the roots penetrate the soil. Repeat this process each week until you’re down to one watering a day. By week six, your sod should be fully established and ready for fertilizer.

If you want to beautify your lawn with new sod, contact the team at Alii Turf on Oahu, HI. This locally owned farm provides high-quality, weed-free grasses for residents in Kapolei, Mililani, and Hawaii Kai, as well as the rest of the island. These professionals will advise you on the best grass for your needs, soil, and desired aesthetic. Call (808) 293-8873 to request an estimate or schedule an appointment.