Sod Installation: 3 Common Aftercare Challenges & How to Overcome Them

Sod installation can transform a barren yard into a vibrant oasis, but the journey doesn’t end when the last piece is laid. Many homeowners have a difficult time caring for sod post-installation because new grass requires significant attention in the first few weeks. In this blog post, we’ll help you overcome patchy areas, deter pests, and rejuvenate tired sod post-installation.

Patchy Areas After Sod Installation

There are several reasons why you may be seeing patchy grass after installing sod, including air pockets, underwatering, overwatering, poor soil preparation, installing the wrong type of grass, or fertilizing too soon. If air pockets are trapped between the sod and the dirt, the roots can’t grow properly or get enough moisture. This causes yellow patches that eventually die. The best way to avoid this is by preparing your soil correctly before installation. One thing to note about sod is that it requires a specific watering schedule to grow optimally. Your lawn should be fully saturated for 4-6 hours after installation because roots dry out quickly, and if the sod loses moisture, gaps will appear and pieces will shrink. That said, overwatering also causes problems by drowning the grass. Poor soil prep and planting the wrong type of sod can result in it not taking root properly. Ensure you’re clearing your yard of all old grass, debris, and weeds before laying sod, and ensure it’s not too compacted. Also, ensure you choose a grass type that’s right for your climate. It’s also important not to fertilize too soon, as that can burn your roots and kill them off. Wait at least six weeks before fertilizing.

Deterring Pests After Sod Installation

The difficult thing about new sod installation is that it’s just like regular grass but much more vulnerable to stressors because it’s not established yet. That said, applying insecticide will not stress it. You should apply insecticide because it’s not uncommon for sod to come infested with sod webworm eggs from the sod farm. It’s important to monitor your new sod closely and treat any sign of sod webworms with insecticide immediately. Chinch bugs are another common pest that infests sod, but the only reason they would show up is because your sod is not getting enough water. Additionally, if you see wilted grass blades, brown turf patches, and spongy turf that lifts easily from the soil, that could be a sign of grubs. It’s important to apply a preventative grub control product before midsummer when grubs hatch. Ultimately, the best pest deterrents are proper watering and care, insecticides, and soil preparation. If sod is subjected to other stressors, it is likely to become overrun with pests because of its vulnerable state, so it’s crucial to ensure that you have the time for a proper care schedule for the three weeks following installation before you decide to install.

Rejuvenating Tired Sod

If you’ve been keeping up with your sod’s care but you find it’s not the quality it should be based on your efforts, it’s recommended to get a soil test. This will tell you the nutrients your soil is lacking and its current conditions so you can mitigate any problems–so is real grass, after all. If your lawn has been dormant for more than four weeks, water it to rehydrate it and wet the soil down to a depth of five inches. It’s also important to fertilize it, especially if your soil has poor conditions or lacks nutrients. Sprinkling lawn fertilizer will encourage strong roots. If you find that your soil has poor drainage or is compacted, aeration could help open the soil up to nutrients, water, and sunlight, instantly improving your lawn’s appearance. Dethatching in the fall or late spring when the thatch is light and fluffy can help remove old grass and moss, giving your sod room to breathe and flourish. You can also try mowing, as weekly trims help with grass growth, but do not over-mow. Leave the clippings on the grass to help fertilize it organically. If your lawn has brown, bare, or thinning areas, you can lay new sod; just ensure you prepare the area correctly before laying it.

Conclusion

Caring for your newly installed sod is essential to ensuring it thrives. While challenges may arise during the aftercare phase, understanding how to identify and address these issues will help you cultivate a healthy lawn. Proper watering, pest management, and maintenance will help you easily overcome common hurdles.