TRAFFIC: New turfgrass sod looks beautiful, but it's not ready for the Super Bowl. Heavy traffic should not be permitted for two weeks following installation. For athletic fields, it is wise to allow at least a month before practicing or competing on the new field.
MOWING: Your new sod will need to be mowed approximately 1 week after installation. When possible, use a walk behind power mower, preferably of reel type, with the cutting height set at 2-3 inches. Do not use a riding mower, as it is too heavy and its powered wheels will tear up the new sod. After the sod has been established, regular mowing can commence. For best results, never cut more than 1/3 of the grass blade per cutting. Cut to 1 1/2-2 inches in height and maintain sharp mowing blades. Cutting frequency may have to be increased during the faster growing seasons of spring and fall. Grass clippings may be left on the lawn to return nutrients to the root zone.
FEEDING: To insure that your turf remains healthy, feed your lawn 3-4 times during the growing season. A good guideline is to fertilize with the same or similar fertilizers as noted on the holiday schedule of Memorial Day (20-3-14), Labor Day (25-3-15) and Halloween (30-3-10). A slow release or controlled release form of Nitrogen should be used whenever possibile, but especially on the spring and fall applications. A fourth application on April Fool's Day may be added if a late fall fertilization was not made. Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Apply lawn food on dry grass only and always water it in after every feeding. In addition to fertilizer, limestone should be used every other year after the sod is installed. It is recommended that the soil be tested to determine the proper amount of limestone needed. However, as a general rule, apply 50 pounds of limestone per 1,000 sq. ft.. This is best applied in late fall.
TRAFFIC: New turfgrass sod looks beautiful, but it's not ready for the Super Bowl. Heavy traffic should not be permitted for two weeks following installation. For athletic fields, it is wise to allow at least a month before practicing or competing on the new field.