New sod looks like a finished lawn the moment the last piece goes down. Underneath, the work is just starting: the roots have to grow out of the soil layer they came with and into your yard. In much of metro Atlanta that yard is red clay, which holds water in some spots and sheds it in others. The first 30 days decide how well your new lawn takes hold.
Before the pallets arrive
Have the ground ready before delivery day. All of our sod is harvested and cut to order, so it is freshest the day it reaches you, and it should go down as soon as it can.
- Clear old grass, weeds, roots and rocks.
- Loosen compacted clay a few inches deep and rake it smooth so the sod sits flat with no air pockets.
- Grade the soil so water drains away from the house.
- Lightly moisten the soil just before laying. Damp, not muddy.
For the full step-by-step, with our video, see How to lay sod.
Week 1: keep it moist
Water each section right after it is laid, then water so the sod and the soil just under it stay moist. Lift a corner now and then: if the soil underneath is dry, water more. In hot weather that can mean watering more than once a day, early morning first. Keep foot traffic, pets and play off the new lawn.
Week 2: start to stretch it out
Once you see the edges knit together, begin watering a little less often but a little deeper, so the roots follow the water down into the clay. Watch low spots: red clay can stay soggy where water collects, and standing water is not good for new roots.
Week 3: the tug test and the first mow
Gently tug a corner of the sod. If it resists, roots are reaching the soil. When the grass needs it, give it a first, light mow with a sharp blade, taking off only the top of the leaf. Mow when the lawn is dry enough that the mower does not leave ruts.
Week 4: settle into a routine
By now most lawns can move to deeper, less frequent watering. Keep heavy use light until the lawn is clearly rooted. Each grass has its own needs, so read about yours in the grass guide and on its product page.
Questions about your lawn?
Every yard is different, and Atlanta weather changes fast. If you are not sure how much to water or when to mow, call us at (404) 333-8172. This post is general guidance, not a guarantee of how any lawn will grow.
Photo: from the A & N Sod Supply website