FAQS
Watering Instructions
You should start watering immediately! Do not wait until the entire lawn is installed to start watering. Begin watering within 30 minutes of the first few rolls being laid down. The first watering is critical and should soak the sod and the top 2 to 3 inches of the soil beneath it.
During the first 10 to 14 days, your goal is to keep the sod and the soil immediately beneath it consistently moist, but not flooded. You will likely need to water 2 to 3 times a day (e.g., early morning, late morning, and mid-afternoon) for about 15 to 20 minutes per zone.
While the sod is rooting (the first two weeks), you will need to water throughout the day to prevent it from drying out in the sun. However, once established, the best time to water is in the early morning (between 4:00 AM and 8:00 AM). This reduces evaporation from the midday sun and prevents water from sitting on the blades overnight, which can cause fungal diseases.
The easiest way to check is to gently peel back a corner of a sod roll. Both the bottom of the turf and the soil beneath it should be damp. If the soil is completely dry, you need to increase your watering time. Additionally, if you notice the edges of the sod turning brown or gaps appearing between the rolls (meaning the sod is shrinking), it is a sign that the sod is drying out.
It depends on the rain! A light afternoon shower will not penetrate the soil deeply enough for new sod. Unless you receive a heavy, soaking downpour (at least 1/2 inch of rain), you should continue your normal watering schedule. When in doubt, gently lift a corner of the sod to see if the soil underneath is wet.
Fertilization
Yes! We highly recommend applying a “starter fertilizer” to the prepared topsoil just before the sod is laid. Starter fertilizers are typically higher in phosphorus (the middle number on the bag), which encourages rapid and strong root growth. If our team is handling your installation, we will often include this step for you.
If a starter fertilizer was applied before installation, you should wait 4 to 6 weeks before applying any additional fertilizer. Sod is heavily fertilized at the farm before harvest, so adding too much nitrogen immediately after installation can burn the stressed, fragile grass and damage the new root system.
For your first post-installation feeding (at the 4-to-6-week mark), use a balanced, slow-release turf fertilizer. Slow-release formulas provide a steady stream of nutrients over time, preventing sudden growth spikes that can stress the still-establishing root system.
No. Please avoid any weed-and-feed products, pre-emergents, or chemical herbicides for at least the first 3 to 4 months (or until the sod has been mowed at least four times). The chemicals used to kill weeds will also severely damage or kill your new, tender sod roots. Hand-pull any stray weeds during the establishment phase.
They stand for N-P-K (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium):
Nitrogen (N): Promotes green, leafy growth.
Phosphorus (P): Stimulates deep, strong root development (crucial for new sod).
Potassium (K): Improves overall plant health, disease resistance, and temperature tolerance.
Once your sod is fully rooted and established, a general rule of thumb is to fertilize 3 to 4 times a year. The exact schedule depends on your specific grass type (warm-season vs. cool-season) and local climate. A typical schedule includes applications in the early Spring, late Spring/early Summer, late Summer, and Fall.
When to Mow
Generally, you should wait 14 to 21 days after your sod is installed before mowing for the first time. Your new grass needs this time to establish a shallow root system into the soil below. Mowing too early can tear the sod pieces up from the ground.
You can easily check if your lawn is ready by doing the “Tug Test.” Grab a handful of grass blades and gently pull upward. If the sod easily lifts off the ground, the roots haven’t attached yet, and you need to wait a few more days. If you feel resistance and the sod stays firmly planted, it is rooted and safe to mow.
For your first mow, set your mower deck to the highest possible setting. The golden rule of lawn care is the “1/3 Rule”—never cut off more than one-third of the grass blade in a single mowing. Cutting the grass too short (scalping) will severely stress the new sod and can stunt root growth.
For the first few mows, you should bag your clippings. While leaving clippings (mulching) is great for mature lawns, large clumps of cut grass can smother delicate new sod, blocking out the sunlight it desperately needs to grow and encouraging fungal diseases.
How to Measure Your Yard
You only need a few simple tools: a long tape measure (preferably 50 to 100 feet), a piece of paper, a pencil, and a calculator. If you have a very large property, a measuring wheel can make the job much faster!
The easiest way to measure an irregularly shaped yard is to divide it into smaller, manageable geometric shapes like rectangles, squares, and right triangles. Calculate the square footage of each individual shape, and then add them all together to get your total area.
Yes, we highly recommend adding a “waste factor” to your final measurement. You will inevitably need to cut and shape pieces of sod to fit around flower beds, sidewalks, and sprinkler heads.
For relatively square/straight yards, add 5% to your total.
For yards with lots of curves, trees, or irregular shapes, add 10% to your total.