Upon completion of this project, here are instructions on how to maintain your new sod.
MOWING: After sod has rooted into the ground, the turf should be mowed. For the initial 2-3 mowings, the mower should be run perpendicular to the direction the sod was laid, not parallel. Also, the mower deck height should be set to 3”. After this, if a shorter mowing height is desired or required, reduce lawn mower
height by ½” each mowing until desired height is reached.
FERTILIZING: In the coming years, we recommend using a fertilizer with a 12-10-12 analysis; it should be applied at a rate of 500 lbs per acre, three times a year: the end of April, July 1, and September 1.
WATERING: Monitor sod moisture and water accordingly. For the first two weeks, sod needs to be watered heavily once a day. What do we mean by “heavily?” This means the sod should be so saturated that it positively squishes beneath your feet, and you have a hard time walking on it because it’s so wet. If you ever see us switching sprinklers for new sod, we look really silly slip-sliding around, but it’s what’s necessary to get the grass off to a good start. After those first two weeks, you can cut back quite a bit, but do keep an eye on it. Please remember that water needs fluctuate throughout the season, according to daylight hours, temperatures, and natural precipitation received.
AERATION: After a year, sufficient time will have passed for the sod to be properly established. At this point, an aeration should be done. If possible, this should be done once a year.
