How Long Does Sod Installation Take? | How to Help the Roots

People love to have lush, green lawns for their yards, but not many people put in the effort. Luckily, sod installation can do the trick to get an instantly green lawn. However, it isn’t something that you install and then leave; it also requires special care. In this article, we’ll focus on how you can establish your sod lawn quickly and efficiently. By doing these tasks, you can guarantee your lawn will grow nice and healthy. So, let’s dig into how you can up your sod installation game!

Make Sure to Water Immediately After Your Sod Installation

How Much Water Should You Apply to it Immediately?

After you install your sod, what should you do next? You should water it IMMEDIATELY. By doing it quickly, you’ll be able to prevent your sod from drying out. Sod is a living thing that needs moisture to survive, especially after being installed. Watering it early will help kickstart the rooting process and provide the moisture the new roots need to grow into the soil. This is essential for your sod’s long-term health.

How Frequently Should You Water?

But how long should you water your sod for? You should give it water immediately and let it last a long time. So, aim for at least 45 minutes of providing it with a consistent and non-stop stream of water. This will thoroughly soak the sod and the soil beneath it for about 3-6 inches. It’ll help provide it with the water it needs initially. Then, it will still need a vigorous watering schedule for the next few weeks. Try to water it 2-4 times a day for about 15-20 minutes for the first two weeks. Then, you can start decreasing it. Just try to maintain a consistent watering schedule and moisture levels for your sod. By doing this, you can truly help your sod to thrive.

Some helpful tips that will help you determine the watering levels for your sod is if it is doing poorly. You can tell if your sod is not getting enough water if you notice gaps or cracks in between the sod sections. This is a result of the sod drying out. That is also a bad sign if your grass blades are brown, yellow, or straw-colored. If you notice the soil is crumbly and dry, you’re not watering your sod lawn enough. Lastly, if the sod is taking way longer than it should to grow, its growth is being stunted, and it’s not receiving enough water. You can prevent these issues from happening by being attentive outside of just the initial installation.

Make Sure to Develop Good Soil Contact Post Sod Installation

Use a Lawn Roller for Firm Contact

A lawn roller is a neat tool you can use after your sod has been installed. It’s also called sod roller, and you can recognize it due to its distinct, heavy cylindrical design. It resembles a lawn mower, but its main purpose is to flatten and compact soil and turf. It can help to remove air pockets beneath the sod, improves sod-to-soil contact, gives roots immediate access to moisture and nutrients, and helps create a smooth, even lawn surface. It can especially come in handy if you have a yard that isn’t level, your sod is inferior in quality, or your soil is poor quality and not well-prepared. To use a sod roller is relatively simple, but we’ll be happy to walk you through the steps to use it in the most efficient way possible. First, you should fill your lawn roller with water to add weight. This will help [to compact the soil even more. Make sure your sod is lightly watered since moist sod is more pliable than dry sod. Next, roll the entire area with the lawn roller and walk in one direction, then back in the opposite direction so everything can be compacted evenly. Lastly, pay attention to the seams where your pieces of sod meet. By doing this, you can create a seamless appearance for your lawn with no air pockets and unevenness.

Try to Tamp the Soil With a Tamper

Aside from a lawn roller, a tamper is another viable option. A tamper is a tool that has a flat, heavy base and a long handle. Picture something like a tall, skinny stamper. It can help press down the edges and seams of the sod firmly against the soil. This helps ensure good contact and can help the sod establish its roots more quickly. But how do you use a tamper effectively? How do you know you’re doing it right? When tamping, try to focus on the edges and seams post-sod installation. You can use the tamper to press down all the linking edges and seams where pieces of sod meet. This will help eliminate air pockets, much like the same way lawn rollers do. Just try to avoid tugging or stretching the sod as you tamp. Just press gently to keep the sod in place. Fill up any gaps with some topsoil before tamping down again. This can prevent the soil from drying out. Lastly, ensure you don’t overcompact your soil, as this will also restrict soil growth and damage your lawn.

Avoid Damaging Your Grass Roots After Sod Installation

Avoid Stepping On Your Sod Lawn

Once you install your sod lawn, you must provide it with the protection and time it needs to establish itself. One of the ways you can hurry this process along is by waiting two or three weeks before you start walking on the sod. This leaves enough time for the sod to root and become established. It will also allow your sod to grow without any delay and prevent it from being damaged or compacting soil. This can apply if your sod is wet, which makes it more open to compaction if it is stepped on. If you have to cross your sod, lay down temporary paths like plywood sheets, wooden pallets, stepping stones, or wood bridges. It will help prevent direct pressure on the grass and distribute weight evenly. Alternatively, you can also mark off or block off the areas with signs to let your family and friends know they shouldn’t walk on tour sod just yet. By taking these extra steps, you can expect your sod to continue to develop and grow.

Don’t Mow Your Sod Immediately After Installation

Your grass needs time to grow, so don’t immediately start mowing. By mowing too soon, you can stress your sod out and even rip or damage its delicate root system. This will result in patchy growth for your sod in the future. You should try to wait two weeks after installation before you start mowing. Not sure if it is ready yet? You can gently tug a corner of your sod. If your sod is firmly rooted, it will stay firmly anchored. If it lifts too easily, then you need to wait longer. When you’re ready to mow your lawn for the first time, set the mower deck higher than usual. This helps to avoid cutting too much grass at once, which can affect the grass. Also, try to avoid mowing your sod when it is wet or after you watered it. This is because it will make the soil softer, and mowing it while wet can compact and develop ruts. This is due to the weight of the mower. This can damage your sod, so try to aim for a day when your sod isn’t wet. By keeping these important things in mind, you can ensure your sod will stay nice and healthy.

Conclusion

Now that you know the proper watering techniques, how to use a lawn roller, and the benefits of tamping your sod, you may still need to maintain your sod lawn. Maybe you didn’t even install the sod yet, but don’t know how. Never fear; the sod installation experts are here! We’re knowledgeable about every single step of the process, as well as ensuring the sod installation goes to plan. We’ll be able to provide you with all the information you need when it comes to sod installation.

As a local company, we at Divine Lawns are eager to serve every single one of our clients. With our advanced lawn care knowledge, we can provide stellar services for all our clients. With the best equipment in the sod installation industry, we make sure we always meet our clients’ expectations. Our mission is to go above and beyond for our clients by growing lawns that aren’t just pretty and green but simply divine beyond comparison! Interested in installing a sod lawn with our advanced techniques and tools? Contact us today, and we’ll happily provide you with a free quote to get you started.