Hey all! We just got sod installed yesterday in Leamington, Ontario. It's Kentucky bluegrass and it's hot as hell outside. I've been running the sprinklers 3 times a day for 20 mins each. Any tips , suggestions to make sure everything goes well?
by Impossible-Hair-9034
32 Comments
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Water. Water a lot and often
Water, A LOT. When you think it has enough water, water some more
keep it wet
Exactly what everybody else said. Water water water, when you’re afraid you’ve overwatered it water for another 30 minutes and then some. It’s almost impossible to overwater new sod
You don’t want to keep it wet, you want SOGGY. Where it feels like you’re walking in a swamp.
r/arborists will have something to say about that tree as well
Get er wet and keep er wet
You need to water it every 3-4 hours in the first few weeks, 30 minutes each time
Water.
In Florida Disease Control is performed as soon as sod is laid sod farms Don’t Spray turf 6 weeks prior to being picked because the workers can’t be exposed to the chemicals that being said it’s just a good idea to prevent disease especially with all the extra water that you’re going to be putting on it to get it rooted
did anyone mention water 😀
Water newly installed sod immediately and continually. Make sure to get all the sides and seams well. You can lift it up and check moisture levels.
• Optimal Watering times are in the morning & evening as the sun is setting, not within direct sunlight exposure
• Maintain consistent moisture levels appropriate to current weather conditions.
• Try to avoid watering during peak sun time as this can lead to scorching.
• Extreme heat (90+ or sun exposure may require you to water three or more times a day.
• Monitor for color changes as this can indicate a lack of /or excess of moisture.
• Sod will typically begin to root within 10-14 days after installation, depending on conditions.
• During the first 6-8 weeks after installation, you will need to attempt to limit any unnecessary use of the new sod area.
– Avoid continuous foot traffic, landscape renovations and usage of heavy equipment until root takes place
• Mow and landscape only as needed, never cutting sod shorter than 4 inches.
Please Keep in Mind:
Sod is a PLANT that will need proper water for maximum potential.
Just laid sod a month ago and was given those instructions.. everything has taken well and is healthy.
Your plan should work great! 3 times a day for 20 minutes should be plenty. Just monitor it and check often!
Water it more than you think anything ever needs to be watered unless it starts to float or you have standing water above the soil.
Budget a couple months of $500 water bills.
First day, make sure you soak the sht out of it.
First 2-3 weeks: water frequently (3-4x per day depending on weather, every day) but not for very long time. I often would pull a corner of random sod every couple hours and checked to see if the bottom it was moist, but not drenched/soaked.
Week 3-4: started to water longer and less frequently (2x per day, 4 days per week)
Week 5: watered even longer and started doing 2x per day, 3 days per week
Week 6: mowed at the highest height every 2-3 days and watered longer at once a day, 2 days per week. Make sure to do a tug test before mowing, roots need to be established.
Week 7: same watering schedule but started mowing at 3.75″ and will keep it that way.
Week 8: sprayed fertalizer
Water in the very early morning at 5am and avoid watering 2 hours before sunset was my rule.
Edit: I purposely avoided saying the length of watering time because every lawn is different. Use the tuna can trick to measure how long you should water. But based on your photos with 5 sprinklers, 20 mins seems more than sufficient on day 2.
Water water water water
Keep your feet off of it. Water 3x a day 1.5-2 hours each time until it’s established. Too much water is also bad. Roots need oxygen. They won’t get it if they’re drowning. Go to the edge and shove a finger in the dirt. If it’s dry call it thirsty and serve some refreshments.
Installation looks really good. Keep water on it, you can lift a piece here and peek underneath to make sure the water is reaching the soil beneath. After a week or so, gently lift on pieces here and there and see if there is resistance from the roots taking hold. Watch the color of it, this alone will tell you a lot
Could have waited 2 more weeks till it gets bit cooler ? But yes water 3 times a day
Deep watering
Water the heck out of it. A lot. More than you think. Every day.
That installation looks great
you better water water and water! you never want to install sod during the summer.
Water it until it’s sloppy.
Water, water, water, water, and more water
Water. Lots of it. And to protect against inevitable fungus from water, fungicide.
If you don’t keep that wet it’s done for. Water bill will be higher than normal but water, water, water.
Honestly, other than water, your ground prep is what really matters. If you laid sod over rocks, junk, or nutrient depleted soil good luck. No amount of water will save you. Otherwise at this time of the year, water.
Where are you that a professional though that the dead middle of the summer was a good time to do this?
I don’t think I need to say water again so I’ll advise you to remove that river rock from around the tree. It will be a pain to deal with, it’s not helping the tree any and it looks bad.