How to Care for New Sod in Middle Georgia

​New sod grass is very vulnerable immediately after it has been laid. Caring for your new sod properly over the next couple of weeks and beyond is vital to protecting the investment you made in it and the long-term health of your sod. Following the care instructions in this guide will help give your sod the best start possible so that it will grow lush and green for years to come! This is especially important in the summer here in the Macon, Warner Robins, and Perry area of Middle Georgia.

Remember, if you have any questions or concerns about your new sod, we're always happy to help, even if we weren't the ones who laid it. Keep reading to learn how to take care of your new sod!

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Here's a quick video with Terry summarizing how to care for new sod grass. This is a summertime video, but most of these instructions can be applied year-round. Keep reading for more information!

First 14 Days

During the first two weeks after your new sod has been laid, it will be establishing a root system in the soil. The sod is at its most vulnerable during this time. You shouldn't mow the sod during the first two weeks. Try to minimize foot traffic on the sod during this time as well.

Be sure to water your sod plenty during the first two weeks. If you don't have an irrigation system, you will need to go invest in some hoses and sprinklers before the sod is installed. In the summertime, you should be watering probably about 2-3 times per day depending on rainfall. You want to keep the soil moist so that the roots have an easy time getting down into the soil. In the wintertime when the sod is dormant, you can reduce the watering down to 2-3 times per week or less, depending on how cold it is.

After the First Two Weeks

In the summertime, the sod should have its root system pretty well established after the first two weeks. You can check how well established it is by gently attempting to lift a piece of the sod. If it lifts up easily, it needs more time to establish itself. If you can feel that it has roots holding it down, then it should be pretty well established in the ground.

Once the root system is established, you can begin to reduce the amount of watering. You can also start to mow the grass. It will be best to start out with a push mower for the first few weeks. Heavy riding mowers may damage the sod at first, so give it a little more time to finish establishing itself before using those.

Reach Out if You have Concerns

If you have any questions or concerns about your new sod, feel free to contact us right away. Even if we didn't lay the sod, we'll be happy to give you advice or take a look at it for you. New sod is very vulnerable, so don't wait until a problem gets really bad. It is important to address turf issues early!

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