Sod Care

When you have new sod installed in your yard, it is important to start, and keep, a proper watering schedule right away. Immediately after the sod has been laid, you should begin by watering it twice per day for fifteen to twenty minute time blocks, which should give the sod about an inch of water / session. This schedule should be maintained for at least one week.
After one week, the sod should be watered once daily for fifteen to twenty minute time blocks. This schedule should be maintained for two to three weeks, or until the sod becomes rooted in the soil. The main rule is that the sod should not be allowed to dry out at any time before you see that it is firmly rooted.

The ideal time to water your lawn is during dawn or dusk hours (6 a.m. to 10 a.m. or 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.) At this time of the day, less of the water is evaporated and the sod will be able to use the water more efficiently. Just be sure the sod is moist to the touch, but not muddy, as it is possible to over-water your sod.

Once the sod has become firmly rooted in the soil, you can gradually decrease the number of watering sessions. For example, once the sod is rooted, you can then water it twice a week for a half hour at a time and then go down to once a week for a 45 minute time block.
This watering schedule should be kept for at least one full summer to ensure that the roots go deep and stay healthy. If your lawn is installed late in summer or early in fall, water regularly as suggested above until the weather starts to cool and start up again as soon as possible the following spring.

Be aware that the weather will affect the way you care for your sod. Use common sense when watering as compared to weather patterns. For example, if there is at least an inch of rainfall on a particular day, you won’t have to water the sod that day. Likewise, if the weather is very hot and/or very dry, keep a twice weekly watering schedule until the weather is cooler and/or more humid.
Also be aware that chemical fertilizers should be applied to dry sod, and thus, you will want to apply it at the end of the season.

For Areas Under and Near Trees you need to know the water requirements for the specific trees, as well as for the grass. Despite having deep "anchor" roots, trees take up moisture and nutrients from the top six inches of soil...the same area as the grass. Trees and turf will compete for water. Watering sufficiently for the grass may over-water some varieties of trees and under-water others.

Tree Care

Most experts agree that new tree watering should occur 4 to 5 times per month, simulating frequent, natural rainfall. Five gallons of water will saturate about five cubic feet of the average soil type, which is the size of an average tree well of most newly planted trees.

Unless adequate rainfall occurs, new trees should be watered from early Spring until the leaves drop off in the Fall. During normal dry times, once a week is adequate. If the afternoon temperatures are extreme, try twice a week. Be careful not to over-water, tree roots need some breathing time.

Causes and Effects of Over-Watering Trees

Imagine that while you are spending valuable time caring for your trees, you could actually be doing more harm than good. That can happen if you don’t pay attention to the moisture condition of the soil while following a steady watering plan. The most probable cause of over-watering is following a watering schedule without being mindful of existing conditions.

Too much water can be just as bad as too little water. It may not seem intuitive, but tree roots actually need to oxygen to complete nutrient transfer from the soil. Excess soil moisture excludes oxygen, and without a drying period between soakings, the breathing may not occur. Roots will slowly begin to die and eventually the tree can perish. One symptom of too much water is the yellowing of leaves when it is not expected. It will generally start on the lower part of the tree on the inside of the crown and then move outward. Other symptoms include leaves turning a lighter shade of green and then yellow, wilting of young shoots, and brittle green leaves. Soil should be moist, not soggy and squishy for any length of time. Watering once per week is usually adequate, but never water if the soil is already wet.