For newly installed sod, watering frequency is critical to ensure healthy root establishment and lawn growth. Here is a detailed watering schedule based on expert recommendations:
Watering Schedule for New Sod
First 2 Weeks:
- Water the sod multiple times daily, typically 2 to 4 times per day or even 3 to 5 times daily depending on weather conditions.
- Each watering session should be long enough to saturate the sod and soil but avoid oversaturation or puddling.
- Watering sessions typically last about 15 to 20 minutes each.
- The goal is to keep the top 1 to 2 inches of soil consistently moist to encourage root growth.
- Early morning watering is best to minimize evaporation and disease risk; avoid late evening watering to prevent fungal issues
Weeks 3 to 4:
- Reduce watering frequency to once or twice a day.
- Increase the duration of each watering session to encourage deeper root growth.
- Water deeply so roots grow down into the soil, which improves drought resistance.
- You can start spacing out watering days, sometimes watering every other day if soil moisture is adequate
After the First Month:
- Transition to a more typical lawn watering schedule, usually once or twice a week , depending on climate and soil type.
- Continue to monitor soil moisture and adjust watering accordingly to maintain healthy grass
Additional Tips
- Start watering within 30 minutes of sod installation with a thorough soaking.
- Aim to keep the soil moist to a depth of 3 to 4 inches as roots establish.
- Adjust watering based on weather conditions: increase frequency during hot, dry, or windy days and reduce during cooler, wetter periods
In summary, new sod requires frequent, shallow watering several times a day for the first two weeks, then gradually less frequent but deeper watering as roots establish, transitioning to normal lawn watering schedules after about a month
