Newly planted sod cannot support itself the way an established lawn can. During the establishment phase, the roots haven't grown into the soil yet, so the sod depends entirely on you for water. Get this right, and you'll have a lush lawn for years. Get it wrong, and you'll be replacing dead sod.
Watering Schedule for New Sod
Jacksonville New Sod Watering Schedule
Summer Installation Warning
In Jacksonville's summer heat, new sod can dry out within hours. During June-September, you may need to water more frequently than this schedule suggests. If sod edges are curling or turning gray, water immediately.
How to Check if Sod is Rooting
After 7-10 days, gently tug on a corner of the sod. You should feel resistance as the roots grab the soil. This is called "pegging down." Once roots are pegged ½ to 1 inch into the soil, you can reduce watering frequency.
By 3-4 weeks, the sod should not pull up at all when tugged. At this point, roots are growing through the soil and the grass can handle a normal watering schedule.
When to Mow New Sod
- Wait at least 2-3 weeks before first mowing
- Test by tugging—if sod lifts, wait longer
- First mow: set mower high, remove only top ⅓ of blade
- Use a sharp blade to avoid tearing new grass
- Don't mow when wet—you'll leave ruts
Mowing Height by Grass Type
St. Augustine: 3.5-4 inches
Zoysia: 1-2 inches
Bermuda: 1-1.5 inches
When to Fertilize New Sod
Do not fertilize new sod for at least 60 days.
The short root system during establishment means the grass can't absorb nutrients anyway. Fertilizing too early leads to nutrient runoff through the soil. Additionally, sod is typically fertilized at the farm before harvest, so it doesn't need more nutrients right away.
If sod appears yellow or spindly after 30 days, you can apply fertilizer sooner—but usually patience is the answer, not fertilizer.
What to Avoid with New Sod
- Heavy foot traffic — Stay off new sod as much as possible for 2-3 weeks
- Pets — Keep dogs off until sod is rooted to prevent tearing
- Parking on lawn — Absolutely no vehicles on new sod
- Overwatering — Puddles and runoff mean you're watering too much at once
- Underwatering — Curling edges or gray color means water immediately
Signs of Trouble
Watch for these problems in the first 30 days:
- Yellow patches — Usually overwatering or poor drainage
- Brown/gray edges — Underwatering, especially at seams
- Sod lifting at edges — Seams dried out, water more at edges
- Fungus/mushrooms — Too much water, reduce frequency
- Sod not rooting after 3 weeks — Could be soil compaction or pest issue
Questions About Your New Sod?
If you had sod installed by us and have concerns, call us. We want your lawn to succeed.
Contact UsLong-Term Lawn Care in Jacksonville
Once your sod is established (after 60 days), it transitions to normal lawn care:
- Watering: Deep watering 1-2 times per week (more in summer drought)
- Fertilizing: Follow UF/IFAS guidelines for your grass type (typically 2-4 applications per year)
- Mowing: Weekly during growing season, never remove more than ⅓ of blade height
- Pest control: Watch for chinch bugs (St. Augustine) and apply treatment if needed