Saratoga Sod is cut fresh to order. It is a live, perishable product and must be installed and watered immediately upon delivery.
It is essential to begin watering new sod within a half hour after it is installed. Apply at least 1 inch of water so that the soil beneath is very wet. You don’t want standing water, but the ground should be very soft when you walk on it.
Tips
Pull back a corner of sod (before it has knitted in) and push a screwdriver or other sharp tool into the soil. It should push in easily and have moisture along the first 3-4 inches. If it doesn’t, you need to apply more water. After the sod has knitted in, you can still check moisture depth by pushing through the turf into the soil.
Make certain that water is getting to all areas of your new lawn. Above-ground sprinklers should be moved around during irrigation to insure that all areas are being watered. Corners and edges can be missed and are particularly vulnerable to drying out faster than the center portion of a lawn. Also, areas near buildings, driveways, and sidewalks dry out faster because of reflected heat and may require more water. For the next two weeks ( or until the turf is well rooted), water the sod daily. Especially hot, dry, or windy periods will necessitate increased watering amounts and frequency.
Water as early in the morning as possible when there is less wind and lower temperatures. This also lets the grass blades air dry during the day. If the sod requires it, a second watering can be applied again in the afternoon when the grass blades still have time to air dry. It is not recommended to water overnight, in the high heat and humidity periods of summer, since the grass blades will remain damp, therefore increasing the chances of disease.
During the remainder of the growing season, most lawns will do very well receiving one inch of water a week, either from rainfall or applied water. The amount may be applied in two settings, approximately 2-3 days apart. The water depth should be applied evenly and should saturate the underlying soil to a depth of 4-6 inches.
Proper watering techniques are a critical aspect of lawn watering. Equal in importance to timing and how much to water.
Avoid hand sprinkling because it cannot provide necessary uniformity.
Understand the differences between sprinkler designs because each type has its advantages and disadvantages. Several times during the growing/watering season, routine system maintenance is important.
Verifying watering uniformity can be accomplished very simply using 4-6 flat bottomed cans (tuna, cat food, etc), a ruler, and a watch.
Follow these steps:
Step 1
Arrange the cans at random distances away from sprinklers within areas that are being covered.
Step 2
Run the sprinkler for a specific amount of time, OR until a specific amount is in at least one can.
Step 3
Measure the amount in each can, checking for uniformity. Some variation is expected, but a difference of 25-30% or more between any 2 cans must be addressed by replacing or adjusting the sprinkler or relocating the system.
For areas under or near trees, you need to know the water requirements for the specific trees, as well as for the grass. Despite having deep roots, trees take up moisture and nutrients from the top 6 inches of soil...the same area as the grass. Watering sufficiently for the grass may over-water some varieties of trees and under-water others. A common solution is not to plant grass under the drip line of trees, but use the area for gardens, etc.
The amount of water your lawn requires and receives will determine its overall health, beauty, and ability to withstand use and drought. Keep in mind that too much water can ruin a lawn just as fast as too little water.
One inch a week is a watering rule of thumb for most established lawns. Watering requirements will vary depending on weather, seasonal changes, different soil types (i.e.: sand vs. clay), and turf grass species.
Look at your lawn to determine its water needs. Grass in need of water will have a grey-blue green color. Also, footprints will still appear after a half hour or more on a lawn in need of water. On a well-watered lawn, footprints will completely disappear within a few minutes. Inspecting your lawn frequently will help you detect water requirements and avoid over or under watering.
If you are unable to water during hot, dry periods, established lawns will turn brown and go dormant. At this time, keep heavy traffic off the lawn and keep your mowing height high (or don’t mow at all). When cooler temperatures and rainfall return, the grass will “come back”.
To determine how much water your lawn is receiving, place a couple flat bottomed pans on your lawn. Check the pans occasionally to see how much water is actually getting on the grass, and also to see how much water is lost due to wind and evaporation.
The first watering of newly installed sod is the most important. Begin watering immediately after installation of the new turf grass. The first watering establishes how well the grass will perform for years to come.
When to water new turfgrass sod