Lawn Care Tips for New Sod

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!!

612-405-2660

University of Minnesota 

Seeding and sodding home lawns Advantages / Disadvantages

Title: Tips for New Sod     Image: wiki commons Max Wahrhaftig