Installing sod is a quick, easy way to get a verdant lawn. However, it still needs proper care so that it can take root properly. Following a strict watering schedule is part of caring for your sod, and this schedule starts the same day your sod is installed. Watering your lawn deeply after installing the sod is crucial to help it establish its roots and prevent the grass from drying up. For the first 2 weeks, you'll want to water it consistently to ensure that the soil stays moist throughout the day. 3-4 after installation, you can reduce the frequency of watering, while increasing the minutes per watering to help the roots grow deeper and establish quicker. Keep reading to learn more about the watering schedule you should follow after you have sod installed on your lawn in Pennsylvania.

Water your newly installed sod directly after installation.

Installation day is very important for new sod. You'll want to water your newly installed sod directly after it has been installed. If you wait until the next day to water, the sun could dry it up and damage your newly installed sod. We recommend watering your new lawn deeply to ensure it has enough water to get it through the first day and to help the grass take root. Watering your lawn 6 inches down into the soil should be enough to safely get your lawn through the first day.

Watering for the first 2 weeks after installation helps the sod develop deeper roots.

Our recent client watering his new lawn in Exton, PA.

After the installation day, you should stick to a consistent watering schedule to help your sod take root properly. The ideal watering schedule for the first 2 weeks after installation is to water your sod two to four times a day to keep the soil moist. While sod is already pre-grown grass, it is still very weak at first and will need time to establish a deep root system. Giving it enough water helps it take root properly. As you get closer to the 14-day mark, cut back on the frequency of watering to ensure the soil can slowly firm up.

When watering your lawn, timing is critical. Here are some tips to make sure you're watering your newly installed sod efficiently:

  • Water your lawn in the early morning. During this time, the sun is not too hot to evaporate the water so your lawn will be able to absorb all of the water that you are giving it.
  • Avoid watering your lawn in the late evening. This can cause water to remain on your throughout the night, which can promote disease and fungus.

Stay off your new sod to avoid stressing out the roots while they develop.

Reduce the frequency of watering 3 to 4 weeks after sod installation.

After 3 to 4 weeks after your sod was installed, you can reduce the frequency of watering your lawn. We recommend watering your grass less but increasing the minutes per watering cycle. Doing this helps the roots grow deeper and establish quicker. Give your sod about 1-1/2 inches of water every week to help your lawn remain on track for stronger growth.

Do you want an instantly green lawn? Call us today to schedule our sod installation service!

At Countywide Landscape, we can help you get an instantly green lawn when you schedule our sod installation service. We offer this service to commercial, residential, and HOA properties in West Chester, Downingtown, Exton, PA and nearby areas. You can call our team today at (610) 285-9727 to schedule our sod installation service. We look forward to helping you get the beautiful lawn that you deserve!