Knowing what to do with a freshly sodded lawn can make it easier to care for it.

A new lawn is an expensive investment. It must be properly cared for in its early stages. The care required for new sod is delicate and requires proper nutrition. These six tips will make it easier for you and your wallet to purchase new sod.

MOWING

Keep your sod mowed for 14 days. Then, reduce the amount of water you use to firm up the soil. The wait time for your first mow will be longer if you have sod laid in winter. Never cut more than 1/3 off the grass blade.

WEED CONTROL

The root systems must be fully established before you can apply weed control to new sod. This can vary depending on when the sod was planted.

You should not miss the pre-emergent phase. Otherwise, you can expect a lot of weeds the first season. You should be patient when it comes to weed control during the first season. At first, it may seem difficult. You will get the best results if you keep up with proper mowing, watering, and a full cycle of pre-emergents.

WATERING

Watering your new seed is an essential part of caring for it. Water is vital for the health of your new sod. It must be hydrated on a regular basis. Your watering schedule will change as the sod grows. For proper early morning watering, it is a good idea to install irrigation.

FERTILIZATION

Proper fertilization should be done right after watering. New sod is so fragile that it needs to receive all the nutrients. Use starter fertilizers rich in potassium, phosphorous.

LIGHT TRAFFIC

The first mow is the best time to stop using new sod. Traffic on the lawn should be limited to a minimum because of the root system.

ROOTING

The season in which your new sod was installed can affect its rooting ability. New sod can be established in as little as 4 weeks during peak growth season. However, if you have a winter lawn, it could take up to twice that amount of time. By lightly tugging at the grass, you can verify that the sod has not rooted. Rooted grass won’t pull up.