Important Lawn Care Tips for New Sod.

 

Newly sodded lawns require special attention and care. To be sure sod roots well we recommend you follow these tips:

 

• New sod requires just as much water as a newly seeded lawn. First you should water deeply so water soaks down 4 to 6 inches immediately after the sod has been put down. Afterwards, you should water early in the morning every 2-3 days until the sod has rooted. How often you water will depend on the time of year and amount of rainfall. Once the new sod has rooted, it can be treated and watered as you would an established lawn. You can ask your local Weed Man professional for further watering recommendations.

 

• Try to keep heavy foot traffic off newly laid sod for the first 3-4 weeks (with the exception of mowing).

 

• Mowing frequency and height are the same as for established lawns. Lawns grow best when cut at 2.5 to 3.5 inches and should be mowed 1-2 times a week depending upon time of year. Never remove more than 1/3 of the blade at one time.

 

• A slow release high nitrogen granular fertilizer should be applied 3-4 weeks after the sod is laid. Afterwards, continue with regular fertility treatments. Good communication with your sod provider is crucial here, make sure ultimately you follow their guidance and find out about their guarantee.

 

• Mechanical core aeration should be delayed until the roots are fully established. This could be the fall in some cases or the following spring in others. Aeration is important on newly sodded lawns to eliminate any soil layers as soon as possible.

 

Common Problems with Newly Sodded Lawns

 

1. THATCH- Most sod from sod farms has already developed a thatch layer. The initial thatch content reflects the growing conditions or type of soil in which the sod was grown. Most sodded lawns require core aeration after establishment. In some cases, aeration will be needed annually when a thick layer of thatch persists.

 

2. INSECTS- As thatch is a common problem in sodded lawns, insects that live in the thatch layer (such as sod webworm and cutworm) can present a problem as well. If you suspect an insect problem in your lawn, contact your local Weed Man® Professional to come out and provide a healthy lawn analysis to determine what treatment may be necessary.

 

 

3. DISEASES- Necrotic Ring Spot is frequently found on sodded lawns that are 2 or more years old. Since many diseases favor a thick thatch layer, sodded lawns are susceptible to both root and leaf type diseases. Your local Weed Man® professional can diagnose which disease you have and which cultural practices will assist in the recovery of the lawn.

 

4. POOR SOIL- Proper preparation of the ground prior to laying sod is essential to the success of sod establishment. The quantity and quality of soil incorporated is a common problem in most newly developed residential areas. In most cases, soil preparation is overlooked. This means lawns are laid on a thin layer of topsoil, resulting in poor rooting. Core aeration can help manage problems caused by poor soil. It will help loosen and cultivate problem soil, working to improve growing conditions.

 

 

If you have any further questions about your newly sodded lawn or have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to contact your local Weed Man® professional.

WEED MAN LAWN CARE MINNEAPOLIS WE CARE FOR YOUR LAWN!!

651-456-9696

 

Got Beer? Then seed your lawn!

Ok, it is just in quick tips later in the article but who doesn’t want to read about beer! (Click here to skip to the Beer part)

I want to seed parts of my lawn. Is there anything I need to know before I start?

Before seeding any part of your lawn, it is important to remember that seeding is likely one of the hardest things to accomplish properly. First thing you will need to do is determine which seed is best for your lawn, and that will depend on what part of the country you live in. When seeding it is important to remember that seeds are in a dormant state and are covered with a waxy coating, which, depending on the seed, will mean an extended period of time before it will germinate once it is put out on the lawn. Watering is the biggest component of getting your seed to germinate properly, as it will require up to 4 weeks of daily watering ensuring the seed stays moist in order for it to germinate. Plus if you happen to go away for a few days and the seed dries out at any time after you have started watering it, the seed will die. Here are some of the important tips to remember below:

 

• Pick the right seed for the area you are seeding. For example, if it is a shaded area you will want to buy a shade hardy seed. Also, the right cultivar is important so that it matches what you already have growing in your lawn.

• The best time to seed is in the fall when the soil temperatures are warm and the nights are cooler.

• Soil temperatures must be above 55 degrees F in order for the seed to germinate.

• Make sure that the seed has contact with the soil. The best way for this to happen is by combining an overseeding with an aeration or top dressing.

• Overseeding a healthy lawn without doing it in combination with aeration first is a waste of seed, as very little (if any) will germinate as there is no soil contact for the seed to germinate in.

• Watering must be done daily for 15-20 minutes in order to keep the seed moist, especially if there is no supplemental water from natural rainfall.

• Remember: if you plan on seeding in the spring, Weed Man applies an application of pre-emergent which will prevent the seeds from germinating.

 

How much seed do I need for my lawn?

 

When overseeding your lawn, the amount of seed required will depend on how large an area you are planning on seeding. Typically you will want around 4 - 6 pounds of seed per thousand square feet.

How can I get small areas that are bare or thin to fill in quickly?

 

One small trick to help get your seed to germinate quickly is to take a bucket and place a few pounds of seed in it and then pour some beer over it until it is entirely moist. Place the bucket in the refrigerator overnight, as the beer will help break down the waxy coating. This will allow the seed to germinate in about half the time. Once the seed has been placed in the fridge overnight, remove it and mix it in with some soil and then rake it into the bare or thin areas. Make sure to keep it watered for the next few weeks and you should see it germinate very quickly.

 

If you have any further questions about seeding your lawn or have any other questions or concerns, please feel free to contact your Minneapolis / St. Paul Lawn Care Professionals at Weed Man.

WE CARE FOR YOUR LAWN!!