Table of Contents
How do you care for newly laid St. Augustine sod?
New sod has small roots, so it can only absorb so much water at a time. Thus, you should irrigate the sod multiple times a day for short periods of time. Schedule watering in the morning and afternoon hours. If you water it in the late evening or at night, there is more chance of a fungus problem arising.
How often should you water newly laid St. Augustine sod?
2-4 times per day
You will be watering your installed sod/new roots, 2-4 times per day to keep the lawn moist. Our recommended watering start times are between 7 am – 2 pm evenly spaced to start. The amount and frequency of watering per day will depend on your sprinklers and soil type.
How long does it take for St. Augustine sod to root?
about 7-14 days
This will normally take about 7-14 days for the roots to establish. Afterward, water weekly unless your lawn is receiving generous rainfall. Newly planted St. Augustine grass lawns need protection while they are becoming established.
How do you keep new St. Augustine sod alive?
Tips for Keeping Your Sod Alive
- Watering. It’s important you douse the sod with water once you lay it, within the initial hour at the latest.
- Watering tips. Ensure water reaches every area of your lawn.
- Fertilizing.
- Keep Traffic off Your Sod.
- Mowing.
Why is my St. Augustine sod turning brown?
Augustine grass can turn brown and die due to drought stress, fertilizer burn, dormancy, poor soil quality, or grub damage. A brown St. Augustine lawn that appears dead can also be a sign your grass is still in dormancy or is suffering from frost burn.
Can you water St Augustine grass too much?
St. Augustine is a wide-bladed, warm-weather. It grows quickly in summer and slows down during winter, when less watering is needed. Too little water can damage this species, but too much can also lead to lawn care problems such as overwatering.
Can you walk on sod right away?
When can you start walking on new sod? You can start walking on your new sod once shallow rooting takes place, typically after about 14 days. To check whether rooting has occurred, gently lift one of the edges of your sod and note the resistance as you lift.
Can you overwater sod?
Take care never to overwater the sod while it is in the rooting stage. Soggy sod can lead to root rot and eventually new sod failure. Instead, water the sod in smaller amounts, several times during the day.
Should I use a soaker hose for new sod?
If you did not have an in-ground sprinkler system installed when you laid the sod, you will need to purchase enough sprinklers or soaker hoses to water the lawn evenly. Space them around the lawn to ensure all surface areas receive even irrigation.
Why is my new St Augustine sod dying?
Augustine grass is suffering. The main reasons are pests like grubs and chinch bugs, turf diseases like Brown patch and gray leaf spot, poor soil quality, and excessive fertilizer applications.
What does overwatering sod look like?
However, applying too much water makes the soil muddy, and the sod itself feels spongy. If you spot either of these signs, you could be overwatering. At the same time, check the health of the roots by lifting a corner of the sod. If the roots are brown and soft, they’re rotting, probably due to too much water.
How can you tell if sod is rooted?
It’s easy to determine if the new sod has taken root. Gently lift one corner of a sod piece. If the roots have not fully developed, there’ll be little to no resistance when that corner is lifted. If, on the other hand, it’s difficult to easily lift the sod, the root system has properly developed.
What does Overwatered St. Augustine sod look like?
Fungus / Disease: Overwatered St. Augustine grass is at risk of being attacked by a fungus called ‘brown patch. ‘ When the lawn starts showing signs, brown circles appear in multiple patches, like the photo above. There typically is yellowing on the outer ring of the circle, as well.
How do you know if sod is overwatered?
The best way to tell if you’ve been watering your new sod properly is to check with your finger. The sod should feel sufficiently damp that it is not dry, but it should not be so full of water that it is muddy. If the sod begins to feel like it is heavy from the weight of the water, you may have overwatered it.
What does Overwatered St Augustine sod look like?
How do I care for my sod after installation?
New Sod Care
- Proper watering is essential to establishment (rooting) of your new sod.
- As a general rule, keep sod and soil moist all throughout the day.
- Stay off new sod until after the first mowing.
- Try cutting back frequency of irrigations just before the first mow to firm up the soil.
How can you tell if sod is dying?
If it tugs, it is dormant; but if it rips out in your hand, it is dead. Look for patterns. If a whole solid strip of your lawn is brown, it could be dormant grass. If the brown is in patches that do not resemble strips, the grass is dead.
Should I apply fertilizer to New St. Augustine sod?
St. Augustine grass doesn’t grow well from seed, so it’s usually propagated through sod or plugs. When starting a new lawn of St. Augustine, apply a lawn starter fertilizer that offers a balanced ratio of nutrients, such as 10-10-10, to the ground beneath the sod.
How often do I water new St. Augustine sod?
Till the soil thoroughly to a depth of six inches,mixing in the recommended amount of lime and fertilizer (1-800-ASKUGA-1)
How do you install St Augustine sod?
For a large lawn,use a roller to smooth out the new sod after everything is neatly laid.
How do I care for my new sod?
New sod is perishable and must be installed immediately to ensure a successful, healthy lawn. A light watering of the ground before installation is recommended, since dry soil acts like a wick and removes the moisture from the sod.
How do you care for new sod?
For example,if you live in a dry location,more frequent waterings will keep the soil consistently moist. If you live in a more temperate area,less-frequent waterings will work.