Watering is an important key to achieving a successfully sodded lawn.
Each roll will need the “proper amount of water” to start the process of the roots becoming established. The “proper amount of water” is not a “once size fits all” thing.
Lawns with ESTABLISHED ROOTS need around 1 ½ inches of water per week – either by rainfall or by irrigation – to remain green. But with newly sodded lawns, the “proper amount of water” to stay green will likely be MORE.
To name just some of the variables that can affect what the “proper amount of water” might look like include:
- air and ground temperatures
- soil type
- method of watering (installed irrigation system vs sprinklers hooked to hoses are VERY different)
- output of your watering method
- amount of rain that Mother Nature is offering
- and more…
Some tips to keep in mind:
- Review Red Hen’s Early & Long Term Sod Care Guide by CLICKING HERE.
- Keep in mind that when sod that is harvested has MOST of the root system cut off, and for the next 9-12 months, the roots are growing back. The less developed the roots are, the more you’ll need to supplement with additional watering – especially during the earliest stages and hotter months.
- As described in our Early & Long Term Sod Care Guide, water sod thoroughly and immediately after it is installed.
- You might need to expect to water sod daily for the first two weeks after installation. If your sod has been installed in hotter weather (above 75 degrees), you may need to water twice daily. When in doubt, call Red Hen Turf Farm to talk about your unique situation (every year is different, every yard is different) – 574-232-6811 is the number to call.
- Especially with sod newly laid in late spring or during the summer, when temperatures reach 80 degrees or above, sod may need to be watered 2 (or even 3 times) daily regardless of temperatures during installation. This is particular true of times of the summer when it’s hot and we have not been getting much rain.
- When watering once a day, it’s more ideal to water between 4AM and 8AM (before sunrise), but 8A to Noon is also pretty ideal. Mid-day watering after Noon can be less effective. If mid-day, the late afternoon or early evening is your only feasible option, then go ahead — it’s better to water at a less ideal time than to skip it altogether.
- To check to make sure you are thoroughly irrigating your new sod, go ahead and lift several ends, and especially edges, throughout the yard. Look to see if the soil which should underneath is wet down to 2 ½ to 3 inches deep. You should easily be able to stick your finger into the soil up to your middle knuckles, or you should easily be able to stick a screwdriver or soil probe into the soil 2-3 inches deep.
- Another way to check for thorough watering of new sod is to step on areas throughout the yard to check for water “squishing” out and over the soles of your shoes.
- If the edges are a bit dry, you may need to do some extra hand-watering around the edges.
- Once your lawn is getting more established around 6 weeks or so after installation, AND the temperatures begin to drop, you may start to transition into reducing watering to once every two to three days.
- Watch for wilting areas that turn yellow or even very dark green; this is an indication that the areas need water, immediately. When in doubt, call Red Hen Turf Farm at 574-232-6811. We’ll ask you to text some photos for remote tech support.
- If you have irrigation heads, double check that they are all working properly and are wetting the complete area. Check out this link on how to use TUNA CANS to test your irrigation heads for accuracy and output.
- Plan to check often each Season to make sure your sod is receiving an adequate amount of water.
- Know that — for several reasons — Mother Nature’s Rain is always way more effective than using sprinkler or irrigation systems. When we’re in a more droughty stretch, it can be especially hard to make up for lack of rain.
- Review Red Hen’s Early & Long Term Sod Care Guide from time to time by CLICKING HERE.
- Also, from time to time, review Purdue University’s Turfgrass Science Homeowner Guide on Irrigation Practices by CLICKING HERE.
- Remember, for help, we’re only a phone call away. Call sooner rather than later 🙂
