To properly water new sod, follow these guidelines:
- Immediately after installation: Water deeply right away to moisten the soil beneath the sod thoroughly. This initial soak should be enough to make the sod and soil "squishy," ensuring good root-soil contact
- First 1-2 weeks: Water frequently, about 2-3 times per day, to keep the sod consistently moist but not drenched. Short, light watering sessions are ideal to keep the top inch of soil moist and encourage root growth. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to water, avoiding midday heat and nighttime to prevent fungal diseases
- Watering duration: Typical watering sessions last around 30 minutes per zone twice daily, or more often in hot summer conditions. The total daily water amount should be about 1.5 to 2 inches split over multiple sessions
- Weeks 3-4: Gradually reduce watering frequency to once a day or every other day but increase the duration to water deeply, encouraging roots to grow 3-4 inches deep. Watering in the early morning remains best
- After the first month: Transition to a regular lawn watering schedule, usually once or twice a week depending on climate and soil type. Adjust watering based on sod appearance and soil moisture
- Additional tips: Avoid walking on wet sod to prevent damage. Check watering depth by lifting a sod corner or probing soil moisture. If gaps appear between sod pieces, increase watering or add soil to fill gaps
In summary, water new sod deeply immediately after laying, then keep it consistently moist with frequent, light watering for the first two weeks. After that, reduce frequency but water longer to promote deep root growth, eventually moving to a normal watering schedule after about a month
