We just had sod laid last week, what type of care should we?
Question:We just had sod laid last week. What type of care should we give it. How often should we water it and when should we start the Starter Fertlizer? We live in Columbus Ohio area.
Answers:
According to the Columbus weather, it has been rather warm in your area. The main thing you'll need to focus on is keeping the new turf watered well, during your bout with the heat. It should be watered everyday (early morning) until it is good and wet. The time will be determined by the type of irrigation system you have. If it is automatic or whether you are watering by hand. Early morning is the best time to water. If you water at nite or early evening, you will take a chance on your turf getting a disease. The lawn and thatch zone should be dry before nightfall. You don't need to fertilize until the roots get established, this is usually around 4 weeks after laying down the sod. Also at this time, you can usually mow for the first time. Check the root system by trying to gently lift a square of sod to see if the roots are taking hold. If it doesn't come away from the soil, then it will be ok to mow. Mow at a higher level for the first 3 or 4 mowings. A height of 3 inches is good. This will prevent scalping, especially if the hot weather is still present. Also, make sure the ends of the turf are getting moisture, usually the turf that is butted up against the walkways, driveways, or some form of concrete. These areas will dry out more readily than the center of the yard. make sure they are getting a double dose of water. Hope this answers your question, and enjoy your brand new lawn.
...Billy Ray
You should have started it last week! New sod needs to be watered daily (in the morning, before 10) for at least an hour. Follow the directions on the fertilizer.
the starter fertilizer should have been underneath of new sod for best results, i would not let it dry out at all until u see that it is growing. to avoid drying on the edges of sod. the starter underneath would have jump started it, but i would recommend watering it as often as possible with our weather right now.
start watering now it should have been watered every day as sooas it was laid you really don't need the starter fertilizer since you already have grass but you will have to fertilize but not right now just make sure you water first thing in the morning for at least a hour after the sod establish it self you can water every other day if this drought continues
the most important thing is to water the hell out of it. If you didn't put down any start fetilizer "BEFORE" you laid down the sod, then you should put a good dose of starter fert. down now. The sod should be stapled it, and there should be no spaces between each piece of sod. Try not to walk on it too much. You might end of cutting it maybe in about 10 days or so. Dont remove more than 1/3 of the blade off when you cut your grass. Hope this helps...
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