Top Ways to Ensure the Health of Your New Sod
Learn how to maintain New SOD in Dallas-Fort Worth, TX
Laying sod offers homeowners a quick and simple way of attaining a beautiful lawn in a short span of time, so it’s no wonder why this landscaping material is so popular. If you recently took advantage of sod installation in the DFW area and want to keep your turfgrass looking green and lush, then keep reading to learn ways of ensuring the health of your new sod.
Minimizing Traffic
While your sod is becoming established, it’s important to go easy when it comes to treading on your lawn. New sod is at a delicate stage in which it’s sending roots into the soil and acclimating to its new environment. By reducing foot traffic, you can help minimize stress on your sod and help it stay healthy. When you do need to cross your lawn, take a slightly different route each time to avoid causing too much strain in one area.
Watering Consistently
Regular watering is essential for getting new sod off to a great start. Keep your turf grass moist by watering it at least once per day for about six weeks—twice per day if it’s particularly hot and dry. Also, check your soil every day to be sure that it’s moist at least several inches down, which will help promote deep roots and the health of your grass.
Mowing Accordingly
For most grasses, keeping them at a height that’s between 2 1/2 and 3 inches during the summer can help retain moisture and encourage healthy growth. When it comes to mowing your sod for the first time, however, wait until it’s three or four inches high. Continue to monitor your lawn’s growth to determine when it should be mowed next, and never cut off more than a third of the blade length in a single mowing.
Fertilizing Effectively
Most sod comes pre-fertilized, so hold off on feeding your new grass for about six weeks. To supply your lawn with the nutrients that it needs and keep it looking healthy long-term, plan to apply a slow-release fertilizer once or twice each year.
