Sod is a convenient and effective option for a homeowner that is wanting to quickly install a lawn on their property. While sod can give the appearance of a fully established lawn almost immediately, it will have slightly different care needs that will have to be met while it is adjusting to being planted on your property. 

Be Vigilant About Monitoring The New Sod For Signs Of Pests

When new sod is placed on a property, it can be especially vulnerable to being damaged by a variety of different types of pests. This is often a result of the small gaps between the layer of sod and the soil. A variety of pests will be able to get into these areas and target the roots of the sod. Unfortunately, this can be extremely damaging to the sod, and it may even be capable of killing sections of it. During the first several weeks after your sod has been placed, you may want to be particularly vigilant when it comes to monitoring the sod for signs of pest activities.

Water The New Sod Every Day

The new layer of sod will require several weeks before it will fully establish its root network in the ground. During this time, it can be very vulnerable to drying out as the sod will have a limited ability to retain moisture. As a result, the new grass will have to be watered every day until the roots are able to penetrate deep into the soil. While you will need to water the sod regularly during the first few weeks, you may not need to water it very much during these sessions as there may not be many benefits of saturating the soil under the sod as the roots will not be present to utilize this water.

Avoid Mowing The Sod Too Soon After It Has Been Installed

Mowing the sod too soon after it has been placed can be another common mistake. Unfortunately, mowing the sod too early can result in it having a significantly stunted development. One source of these problems could be the fact that the lawn mower may be able to damage the roots that have started to grow into the soil. However, mowing the grass too soon can also deprive it of the energy that it needs to quickly acclimate to the property. Rather, you should allow the blades of grass to grow to at least a few inches in length. This can ensure that the sod is able to get enough energy to rapidly develop its root network.

Reach out to a landscape company near you to learn more.