How to Care for Newly Sodded Lawn

Newly planted sod requires a few weeks of care so that the grass can establish its roots. A schedule for watering, fertilizing and mowing must be adhered to if your new lawn is going to survive.

Hot Temperature Care Guide

Water the grass twice a day with the sprinkler in the first week on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.

Water the sod once a day, Sunday through Thursday, during the second week. Skip Friday and water once on Saturday.

Water the new sod once a day on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday during the third week. Mow 1 inch off the grass on Tuesday when the grass blades are about 4 inches high.

Water the sod the fourth week on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Mow 1 inch off the grass on Friday when the blades are 4 inches high.

Fertilize the sod with a granular lawn fertilizer 60 days after the sod has been planted.

Cooler Temperature Care Guide

Water the grass twice a day with a sprinkler on Sunday and Monday during the first week. Water once a day on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.

Water the sod once a day Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday during the second week.

Water once a day on Monday and Thursday during the third week. Mow 1 inch off the grass on Tuesday when the grass blades are about 4 inches high.

Water the sod the fourth week on Sunday and Thursday.

Fertilize the sod with a granular lawn fertilizer in May of the following year.

Lawn Care For New Sod

Sod is easy to install and provides an instant lawn, but it requires a little more care than you would give an established lawn. New sod has shallow roots, which need time to establish in the soil. After three weeks, you can reduce watering to every other day, soaking to a soil depth of about 1/2 inch. Watering during the hottest parts of the day can burn your new grass. Most sod is fertilized prior to harvesting, so it usually does not need to be fertilized for at least 30 to 60 days after installation. Make sure you apply the fertilizer when the ground is dry, and spread it evenly over the lawn. Typically you should mow your new lawn about two to three weeks after installation. Avoid cutting it too short.