Laying new sod is a great way to instantly beautify your lawn and property. Once it’s installed, you need to know how to care for the fresh grass to ensure it grows and thrives. Lawn fertilizing treatments for sod are different from those required for other types of grass. Use this guide to learn more so you can start caring for your new, beautiful yard.

A Brief Guide to Fertilizing Sod

When should I start fertilizing new sod?

Usually, sod is fertilized at the farm before it’s installed, so there’s no need to add more nourishment immediately. You should wait until the grass starts rooting into the soil on your property, which usually takes about six weeks. Adding chemicals too early can inhibit root growth and can cause sod to die prematurely.

Does sod need different lawn fertilizer than other grass?

New sod usually needs different nutrients than established grass. Choose a fertilizer that is high in phosphorous, which helps strengthen roots so they create a strong system to keep the sod in place. The product should also contain potassium, which helps the lawn become more resistant to drought, disease, and damage from cold temperatures. Carbon helps the overall health of the sod, while nitrogen and iron keep grass green.

How do I read a fertilizer package?

Each package contains three hyphenated numbers, which is its N-P-K ratio. This tells the consumer how much nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) are in the product. For new sod, look for a fertilizer that has an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 or similar.

What should my lawn fertilizing schedule look like?

You need to continuously feed new sod throughout the growing season to make sure it stays healthy. After the initial treatment, you should fertilize the sod every four to six weeks. A weed and feed product—which is designed to kill weeds while helping grass flourish—can be applied twice a year. However, make sure to only spread it in the spring and fall when temperatures are cooler.

If you need help with lawn fertilizing treatments and schedules, reach out to the experts at Just-Turf in New Carlisle, OH. This family- and veteran-owned landscaping business has been serving residents and businesses throughout Miami, Clark, Montgomery, Greene, and Warren counties since1995. They are dedicated to delivering personalized care to ensure every lawn is green and healthy, and they offer aeration, seeding, fertilization, and pest control. Call (937) 409-1169 to schedule a consultation and receive a quote, and visit them online to learn more about their services.