Recommendations for the Care and Maintenance of your Newly Sodded Lawn WATERING WATERING Proper watering is essential in establishing a newly sodded lawn. Water sod on a daily basis for 3 to 4 weeks or until the sod becomes rooted and can no longer be easily lifted from the soil. It is recommended that your sprinklers run for about one-half to one hour in each area of the lawn allowing the soil to become moist to at least 2" below the surface. Set sprinklers so that they can be moved and relocated without walking on the lawn to minimize settling, indentations and foot imprints. Where the grade is steeper, water more often but at a decreased rate to help prevent washouts or erosion. Areas by walks, driveways and around objects will be more subject to drying out and should be watered more often. After 3 to 4 weeks the lawn will require a thorough soaking only twice each week or the equivalent of 1" to 1-1/2" of rainfall. (Measure the amount of water being applied by placing three coffee cans or other containers in the yard where the sprinkler will cover. After thirty minutes figure the average depth of water in the containers. Then adjust your watering time up or down from the thirty minutes to apply the 1" to 1 1/2" of water.) Also adjust the time for soil types and weather conditions. MOWING Begin mowing only after the sod has become established or approximat.ely 2-3 weeks after installation. At this time the lawn should be about 3-5" in height. Be sure the area is dry before mowing to insure that the surface is firm enough to walk on without leaving foot imprints. Use a lightweight rotary mower and cut to a height of 2½-3". Remove only visible grass clippings. Water the lawn after mowing to restore the moisture level. Then mow every week to ten days, never removing more than 1/3 of the grass blade or cutting shorter than 2½". Avoid mowing your lawn on very hot, dry days or if your lawn is wet or covered with dew. WEED CONTROL It is difficult to prevent weeds from developing in your newly sodded lawn, but weeds can be controlled after the lawn is fully established. Do not apply any herbicide to a newly sodded lawn until it has been mowed four times or approximately 6 weeks after the installation. The best broadleaf weed control can be achieved if you use only a liquid formula herbicide. Crabgrass control is obtained by using a granular pre-emergent herbicide in the Spring of the year. Follow label directions and apply at the recommended rates. Restrict foot traffic and other activities for 3-4 mowings to minimize soil compaction and any unevenness in the surface. FERTILIZING Apply fertilizer to newly sodded lawns 4 to 6 weeks after installation using a blended fertilizer of 20-2-7 or the equivalent. Apply fertilizer to an established sodded lawn three times a year to aid in root development and to promote a healthy turf. Use a complete lawn fertilizer at the following times and rates to provide the sufficient nutrients without burning the turf. May 15 - June 15 One pound of nitrogen ( 5 lbs. of total fertilizer) per each 1000 square feet (20-2-7 or equivalent) or one pound of nitrogen (3.5 lbs. total fertilizer) per each 1000 square feet (30-0-15 or equivalent) August 15 - September 15 One pound of nitrogen (or 5 lbs. total fertilizer) per each 1000 square feet (20-2-7 or the equivalent) Early November One pound of Nitrogen (3.5 lbs. total fertilizer) per each 1000 square feet (30-0-15 or equivalent) OOPS... Did you ever try to walk across new sod when the soil was too wet or soft? Don’t panic. To correct footprints or low areas just roll back the sod, fill in any low spots with fresh topsoil and then relay the sod. When you are all done just treat this part of the lawn like new sod again! Please feel free to contact Stano Landscaping, Inc. at 414-358-1800 with any of your landscape questions or concerns.