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Sod Maintenance
The most important consideration is to keep the sod wet during the establishment period. During hot, dry
weather, watering 2 or more times a day may be necessary. Check the sod daily by picking up the corners
of the sod to see that there is sufficient moisture. Keep a close eye on the outside areas such as edges and
areas that are hard to reach with the water supply.
One way to determine if the sod is drying out is to step lightly on the turf and if your footprint remains on the
grass for more than a short interval, then the sod needs to be watered. After about 10 days, decrease the
frequency of watering and increase the length of the water application. This promotes a deeper-rooted turf,
which can sustain periods of drought with less long-term damage than shallower root systems. Different soil
types have a great deal of input into determining how often to water (sandy soils will require more frequent
irrigations than a heavy clay soil).
Your new sod lawn is usually in need of a mowing after 10 days to 2 weeks. At that time, make sure the
lawn is not too wet to avoid rutting with the mower. The general rule is to never remove more than 1/3 of the
leaf surface at any one mowing. Bluegrass should be mowed no lower than at a height of 2". It is best not to
collect the clippings after mowing. Leaving the short clippings on the lawn allows the nutrients from the leaves
of the grass to return to the soil. If you have an excessive amount of clippings, you may have to remove them
and then mow the lawn on a regular basis to avoid this problem in the future.
Fertilization
Fertilizer and chemical applications will vary with soil type, climate, etc. For recommendations in your
particular area, consult with your local garden center or extension agent.
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