WATERING: WHEN AND WHY
Watering sod depends on several factors.
Time of year
Recent rainfall
Type of irrigation
Typically, you should keep new grass wet for at least two weeks. The reasoning for this is to keep the soil beneath the sod moist. It’s crucial for the grass to establish a root system.
Water your sod early in the morning to take advantage of the daily growing cycle as well as the lower wind speeds. Moreover, you can avoid more evaporation.
When watering your grass, ensure the water reaches all areas of your lawn. With any type of irrigation system, it is easy to miss corners and edges. These areas are particularly vulnerable to drying out. Moreover, areas near surfaces such as sidewalks or buildings tend to dry out faster. This is because the surfaces reflect heat onto the grass.
DAY OF INSTALLATION
Start watering your sod within 30 minutes of installation. Apply about an inch of water across the surface to ensure the soil beneath the sod is wet. Above all, the soil 3-4 inches below the surface should be moist.
After watering the new sod, lift up a corner and check the soil underneath for moisture. If it still feels dry, add more water.
WATERING WEEK ONE
Keep an eye on your sod throughout the first week. You might see an area start to turn brown. Likely, this is because it needs more water. However, remember that brown grass does not mean dead grass. It only means that the leaves died. When you catch this early and adjust the watering to that area, you might see new green leaves emerge over the next two weeks.
In week one, check your lawn each day to make sure it receives enough water. When you water enough after installation, it allows the root system to establish. Moreover, it impacts how well your lawn flourishes for the next few years.