There can be nothing as good as looking at and walking through the lush green grass in your lawn during the sunrise. It requires some planning and care, however, to maintain a fresh and healthy grass bed in your home.
If you are planning to get sod installed on your lawn or have already got it installed recently, then it is very integral that you keep them hydrated with the right amount of water.
But the question is how often should you water new sod? The amount of water required and the frequency of watering for new sod varies largely with the soil type, weather, and the number of days elapsed since installation.
You need not get puzzled, though, because, in this article, we will be guiding you with watering your sod during the entire process. We will also disclose some secret tips which will help you take special care of your sod.
So, stick with us and read the rest of the article carefully while we tell you the watering routine for sod at different stages.
How Often Should You Water New Sod
1. Prepare in Advance of The Installation
The watering process starts even before the installation of sod actually takes place. You will have to soak the soil about 24 to 48 hours in advance such that the soil remains moist up to the depth of about 3 inches.
The sod will be laid on the top of the moist soil so that the roots can easily penetrate into the ground. Even while the sod is being laid, you should keep sprinkling water over the sod so as to soak both the sod and the soil beneath it completely with water.
2. After Installation
Week 1 – 2
So, now you have got the sod installed in your yard. Now, the real work begins. The period of about one month since the installation is very critical for the quality of grass.
First of all, you will have to estimate the moisture content of the soil. For this, you can lift a corner of the sod to check the depth of the moisture in it. For the first few days, don’t make deep footprints in the soil.
During the first couple of weeks, you should keep the soil moist so that the sod doesn’t dry out. If it dries at this stage, it can get brown and eventually die. So, you will have to get the sod watered 3-5 times a day.
Plenty supply of water will help the sod roots to penetrate deep into the ground. However, don’t go too far watering the sod because it can lead to puddles and the roots won’t bind properly to waterlogged soil.
Week 3 – 4
After two weeks from installation, the grass will have got rooted sufficiently deep into the soil. Now you should let the yard dry so that you can mow the grass for the first time. However, you should be a little gentle because some sod may get uprooted from the soil.
Even if such a thing happens then don’t worry. Just lay them back at their previous place and they will restore themselves. In the next two months, the frequency of watering required will go on decreasing.
Now, even watering once or twice in a day can suffice. If you water the grass once a day, then the best time to do so will in the morning as it is most favorable for the normal growth cycles of plants.
Also, avoid watering the sods in the evening because wet sod overnight can invite pests and fungus. Let things be such for the 3rd and 4th weeks.
5th Week Onwards
After the first four weeks are over, the sod roots would have reached quite deep into the soil. Now, the sods can get some moisture from the ground on their own.
So, you will have to spend lesser time in your lawn watering them. Watering them once a day or even once every two days should be enough given that the weather is moderate. This watering cycle can now be followed for the rest of the season.
Now, that you have a rough idea as to how you have to water the sod right from day 1, you can nourish the sod until it converts into dense, lush green grass. But the whole procedure may still look strenuous to some.
Also, not everyone has enough time to spend watering the field and monitoring the moisture content from time to time. To their relief, as I promised, I’ll be giving you some smart tips to make the whole process easier, more convenient and still effective.
1. Use A Smart Irrigation System to Irrigate Your Lawn
Though sprinklers save a lot of time and effort from your side, it can often lead to overwatering or uneven distribution of water. An average lawn requires about one inch of water per week.
Since it is not easy to estimate the amount of water being given to the sod if you don’t have an in-ground irrigation system. What you can do is to buy a rain gauge which will help you monitor the process.
Another advanced option is to use hoses with timer and Wi-Fi operability. You can install moisture sensors in the soil, which will tell you the real-time moisture status from anywhere in the world. You can accordingly control the hoses to ensure optimum watering for your lawn.
2. How To Know If The Sod Has Not Been Watered Enough
If you observe that gap have appeared between two adjacent rows of sod or find the corners of the sod are rising above the ground then it is an indication that you are not watering the sods enough.
If such signs appear in some specific portions of the sod, then it means that the area is not being covered by your sprinkler system. In such cases, you might need to adjust the nozzle of the sprinklers. Still, if the problem isn’t solved, then use a manual sprayer to water those areas.
3. How to Know That You Are Watering Them Too Much
As easy it is to not water the sod enough, so is to overwater them. If you feel the ground to be a little spongy and water squeezes from beneath your foot when you walk over it, it is a clear indication that you have gone too far watering the sod.
Browning or discoloration of grass at places is the early sign of rotting due to too much moisture. So, if you notice any of the signs mentioned above, then you should immediately stop watering the sod and let it dry.
Conclusion
So, in this article, we have covered a rough plan for watering your new sod from even before it is installed to the end of the season. We have discussed some tips for making the watering process easier and more controllable. I hope that you enjoyed this article and got some useful information out of it.
Please feel free to post your comments and suggestions to help improve it even further.