Day one: soak it
Water new sod the same day it goes down, enough to soak through the sod into the soil underneath. Lift a corner to check: the soil below should be wet, not just the grass.
Weeks one and two: water every day
Keep the soil under the sod damp every day while the roots grow down into it. Morning is the best time to water. In a Windsor heat wave, a second, lighter watering in the afternoon helps.
Keep foot traffic, kids and pets off it as much as you can during these first two weeks.
Weeks three and four: water deeper, less often
Once the sod has started to root, it resists when you gently tug on a corner. That's the time to cut back to watering every few days, but for longer each time, so the water soaks deeper and the roots follow it down.
The first mow
Wait until the sod has rooted and the grass is a few inches tall, usually two to three weeks after it's laid. Set the mower high, and never cut off more than a third of the blade at once.
Signs something is off
Edges and seams turning brown usually mean the lawn needs more water. Ground that stays soggy or spongy means it's getting too much. If something doesn't look right, call or text us at 519-567-4724.
Make watering automatic
A sprinkler system takes the guesswork out of watering a new lawn, and it's easiest to put in before the sod goes down. We do both.
Planning a new lawn?
Free on-site estimate anywhere in Windsor-Essex, with a written quote the same day. Call or text 519-567-4724.
