The best time to water a lawn is in the morning, preferably before noon. This allows the grass to dry before nightfall, reducing the risk of disease. Take into account recent rainfall when deciding how much to apply.

WATERING NEW SOD
 

Immediately after installation about 1 hour "full coverage" with normal lawn sprinklers or rotary sprinklers, then daily in the morning for the same amount of time.

If you are using pop up sprinklers the time is cut to 30 minutes "full coverage" (per zone if there is an irrigation system).

Full coverage means moving the sprinklers so that each area receives that amount of time.

This watering should take place for at least the first two weeks and then cut back to 3 times per week.

 

At times when the temperatures reach 80 degrees and above additional watering may be required as well to allow the roots to establish.  The soil 1” below the sod should remain moist. 

 

Use good judgement on watering and pay close attention to the sod.  Over watering can also cause problems.  If the temperatures are 90 degrees or more the sod will obviously need additional watering and at times may need to be watered twice daily during initial establishment.

 

Keep in mind:

 

•• Check to see how far water soaks into the soil after irrigation.
•• Heavy clay soil slowly absorbs water.

•• Sandy soil absorbs water rapidly but dries out quickly.