The Ideal Watering Schedule for New Sod in Illinois

The Ideal Watering Schedule for New Sod in Illinois

When installing sod in Illinois, it's important to understand how much water is needed for it to survive. Newly installed sod can be a bit deceptive because of its green appearance. While it may look like a healthy, green lawn, it's very weak and can quickly die if not properly cared for. It needs a lot of water to survive. It's for these reasons you should follow these watering guidelines after installing your sod. For one, sod should be watered shortly after it's installed. If it isn't, you run the risk of damaging it. During the first two weeks after installation, you'll want to keep the sod moist and avoid stepping on it whenever possible, so you don't add any additional stressors to it. After the first two weeks have passed, check to see if the roots are penetrating the soil. If they are, you can start reducing the frequency of water while increasing how long you water your sod. By following these guidelines, you can ensure your newly installed sod will thrive!

Watering Your Sod Directly After Installation

When installing sod on your lawn, lots of moisture is key to ensuring the sod survives. This is especially true when sod is just installed on your property. Once the sod is installed, you want to water it within 30 minutes of installation. You want to make sure you water your lawn deeply, making sure about six inches of water are irrigated into the soil. If you do not water your sod the same day it's installed, you run the risk of the sun drying it up and damaging your newly placed sod.

Watering Your Sod the First Two Weeks After Installation

It's important to note that you will need to consistently water your newly installed sod every day during the first two weeks to keep it healthy. While your sod may look healthy and green at this point, in reality, it's still very weak and needs lots of time to establish deeper root systems. When watering, you want to use enough water to keep the sod and the soil moist throughout the day, but you never want it to be soaking wet. You'll also want to avoid adding extra stressors to your lawn, so make sure to stay off it while it continues to develop. Since the grass is still weak and has not established strong enough roots to survive, adding stressors will divert some of your grass's energy because it will also need to focus on recovering.

Watering Your Sod Three to Four Weeks After Installation

Three to four weeks after installation, your sod should start establishing a root system in your soil. You can check on its progress by carefully lifting the edges of the sod around your lawn. If you notice your sod is doing well and is now starting to establish those roots, then you can begin to reduce how often you water your grass while increasing how long you water it during each session. Doing so will encourage your grass to build that deep root system it needs to survive!

Call us to sign up for our sod installation service today!

Installing sod is a quick and reliable way to bring your lawn to life in Illinois. After your sod is installed, our team will sit down with you and teach you everything you need to know to care for your newly installed sod, including detailed information on watering it. We service commercial, HOA, and residential properties in Edwardsville, IL and surrounding cities like Glen Carbon and Bethalto. Give us a call today at (618) 374-0010 to sign up for our sod installation service!