The technical side of it is that there are many things that could ruin your new sod. A bison stampede. Pro football players practicing on your lawn. A groundhog convention. These would be huge new problems for the sod.

Let’s not get distracted from the more likely scenarios that could occur when you start to care for your new sod lawn. Are your new sod becoming yellowed or brown? Is your new sod fading? We don’t think so.

Here’s how to find out what could be causing your new sod problems.

Too much water

This is a huge one. Your new seedling will need plenty of water once it is established. However, not too much. It is worse to overwater than to underwater. Some homeowners see brown spots in their new sod and panic. They pour more water on the lawn to make it dry.

However, those brown spots could be caused by sod webworms. These pests lay their eggs in your grass. The larvae will eat your grass if they hatch. Root-rot is usually not recoverable if you over-water. It can be difficult to care for new sod lawns. 

You will know when to water and for how long. And which irrigation heads to use for each time. There are different instructions for watering new grass depending on the type of grass and when it was planted. All your questions will be answered by our instructions for sod lawn care.

Too little water

Water is the most crucial step in keeping your new seedlings alive and thriving.

It is really thirsty. Water should reach every part of the lawn. Sprinklers can sometimes miss corners and edges, which causes these areas to dry out quicker than the rest of the lawn.

Remember that sod around concrete and asphalt may dry faster because of reflected heat. You might need to add water.

New Sod Lawn Care: Diseases

As it grows, your new sod will need to get a lot more water. This can lead to it becoming susceptible to mold. How can you tell if fungus is present? It’s difficult to tell, as it is with other lawn care issues.

Brown spots might appear. If this happens, you should assume that your new plant needs more water. This could make the problem worse.

Pay attention. The fungus can cause sod to become brown and die, with a yellowish-brown ring surrounding the area where it is spreading.

To prevent any future problems, apply a systemic or curative fungicide within seven business days of sod installation.

New Sod Problems: Insects

We mentioned the sod webworm as the biggest insect that causes new sod problems.

These pests lay eggs in your sod and then eat your grass.

The only sod provider in the area to use a webworm preventative is ours. This helps keep the sod from becoming infested by the harmful pests.

As a preventative measure against pests, apply an insecticide within seven calendar days of sod installation.

New Sod Lawn Care: Weeds Are Not Too Important

Because weeds are not a major concern with new sod, you won’t find them on our list.

The first few weeks are too short to control weeds. Weed control products can cause damage to new turf. You will also see some weeds as a result of the increased water requirements for new turf.

Reduce watering according the schedule provided, and mow as soon as possible to prevent weeds.

Pro Tip: Before you deliver your sod, make sure to inspect your irrigation system

Over the first few weeks or months, new sod requires lots of water. It’s not what you want to discover after your new sod is down that there are controller issues, broken zones, or that your zone doesn’t work. It is important to find out this information now so that you can fix any issues before you receive your sod.

New Sod Problems: Keep an eye on it

As your sod lawn grows, keep an eye out for any potential problems. Look out for signs like chewing and browning. This could indicate that your lawn is suffering from fungus or webworms. How can you tell if something is going on? Give us a shout.

Ground Source is the best way to avoid new sod problems

Your new sod should thrive. We want the same thing. We provide all the information that you need to care for your beautiful, fresh sod lawn.

Our expertise extends beyond being sod experts. As you design your outdoor space, we’re there for you. Landscape design, irrigation and sod: We can transform your yard into a beautiful place where you’ll spend every minute of your spare time.