Many homeowners are unaware of the need to be planting sod on a yearly basis to keep their lawn looking its absolute best. In fact, planting new sod is something most homeowners should choose to do for a quick, beautiful fix for their landscapes. Still, knowing that you need to plant new sod every year is not enough. When it comes to planting sod, there are many factors and facets that you must know to make sure your sod plants and grows correctly.
How Long Does It Take Planted Sod To Set Roots?
Preparing your lawn properly prior to planting new sod is the best way you can go about setting and developing new roots for your sod planting. Given the right balance of air, water, and sun, you can expect to see your sod start to root in just two to six weeks.
However, to prepare your lawn for sod and ensure optimal root growth, you should till your lawn with additions like:• compost,• lime, and• sulfur.
Perform A Soil Test
- A soil test, though, is certainly advised before you begin any tilling work. Tilling the soil with amendments can improve the long-term health of the soil, but it can also:• disrupt tree roots,• alter drainage, and• affect soil structure.
Dealing With Tilling
- The last thing you want is to go about tilling improperly or unnecessarily. (So, before you decide to till, get a professional opinion from a trusted home services and landscape partner like Chorbie.)
- Then, after you till, you should even out the ground with a simple rake while watering over the area to penetrate and further settle the soil.
Few homeowners are aware that sod contours itself to the ground around it, meaning you should check that there are no low areas which will lead to water build-up. Ensuring a flat and even surface area will provide a fertile place for planting sod and lead to firmly set, healthy roots.
When To Water New Sod
Again, in about two weeks, you will see your sod start to develop shallow roots. But, it’s important to note that when you first install the sod, you should also be watering daily for the first week. (Slowly you can reduce your watering frequency, but you should be generous to lock in moisture for root development.) Roots will adapt to any change in watering in order to find additional moisture.
Get Rid Of Air Pockets
- In addition, you can use a lawn roller to remove pockets of air to encourage faster root development.
- And, if you can, avoid walking on the sod or mowing since roots will be quite sensitive during their early development.
- At the 30- to 45-day mark, your sod should have full root formations, and then you can mow again. But, wait 48 hours after watering before your first mow of new sod so that you don’t tear sod out of the ground.
If you follow these basic steps, you’ll see that the proper roots develop in your newly sodded lawn with many healthy benefits to come.
Consult Chorbie On Planting Sod In Your Lawn
A newly sodded lawn is a matter of chemistry. Getting the balance of nutrients, moisture, and conditions just right can present challenges. For that reason alone, check out our 5 most important tips for planting a new sod lawn. If you let Chorbie smooth the transition, your home and lawn will benefit from a professional hand and an expert team experienced with the climate and landscape of your local home. Contact Chorbie today to get more information about how we can assist you with your sod lawn
