Your lawn sod must remain hydrated to stay healthy and lush, especially when it’s new. Lightly watering the area where you plan to lay your turf before installation prevents the dry earth from absorbing the moisture from the sod. Here’s what you should know about watering your new lawn.

4 Steps to Sod Watering

1. On the Day It’s Installed

Water the new turf within a half hour after it’s laid on the soil. Apply a minimum of 1 inch of water to leave the turf very wet. This process will take 45 to 60 minutes of watering, depending on the heat of the day. Lift the corner of the sod to see if the soil 3 to 4 inches below the surface is moist. Then, wait another half hour and then water your lawn for another 15 minutes; water it for another 15 minutes after another half hour. Make sure the water is being absorbed—do not add more water if it looks flooded.

2. The Next 2 Weeks

Maintain healthy sod growth by watering your yard twice a day for 15 to 20 minutes, ideally in the morning and at midday to replenish your soil when it’s warmest. Don’t water at night, as the water will sit in the yard and won’t evaporate, which can cause diseases and molds to grow.

3. Provide Even Watering

The corners of yards are often neglected during the watering cycle. For the sod to grow evenly, you must distribute water throughout the lawn. Make sure sprinkler systems are arranged to prevent uneven watering. Areas near buildings dry out faster because buildings reflect heat from the sun directly onto the sod, so make sure these areas are in the path of your sprinklers.

4. Future Watering

A lawn only requires an inch of water a week, although that amount varies depending on sod species, seasonal changes, and soil type. If you are concerned about your yard’s health, place a sharp object in the earth, and press down. If it inserts easily, then the yard is moist; if it is difficult to push in, then the yard is too dry. Also, healthy grass will spring back after you walk on it within a couple of minutes, while dry grass will retain the footprints up to 30 minutes later.

When you need new sod to keep your lawn in peak condition, turn to Arkansas Sod & Turf Farm in Little Rock. This family-owned and -operated company provides a range of affordable sod varieties, from Zoysia to Bermudagrass. Visit this company online to browse their gallery or call (501) 753-5377 to learn more.