FOLLOW THESE GUIDELINES TO INSURE A HEALTHY AND BEAUTIFUL LAWN: 1. Rake out rocks larger than ¾” from soil. The soil should be loose but firm. It is recommended to add organic matter to your soil like a redwood soil conditioner, fine mulch or peat moss. Organic matter helps to keep soil loose and helps retain moisture. Work this into the soil approximately 2” to 4” deep using a tiller or landscape rake. 2. Rake 16-20-0 or 16-16-16 fertilizer into the top inch of soil. This helps the sod root faster. Follow directions on the bag for application rates.
3. Test sprinkler system to make sure you have good head to head coverage. Check for blocked sprinkler heads, broken pipes, etc. Make all adjustments before and after laying sod. 4. Wet down the areas to be sodded and keep moist until the sod is laid. This will help to even out the top of the soil and remove air pockets. In summer, a dry base can cause sod to dehydrate, burn root hairs and stress it’s system. 5. INSTALL SOD IMMEDIATELY UPON DELIVERY. IT IS A LIVING THING AND NEEDS WATER AND GROUND CONTACT TO SURVIVE. 6. Begin installing sod along the longest straight edge of your lawn. Push edges tightly against each other. Stagger joints in each row in a brick pattern. Avoid gaps or overlapping. On slopes, place sod across the slope. Sod can be easily cut to conform to curved boundaries, trees, etc., with a sharp knife. As you lay down a section of sod, water it with a hose. Keep sod moist at all times. 7. In hot weather, protect any unlaid sod by placing stacks in shade or covering with an old sheet and wetting it down with water. Water sod within 30 minutes of installation.
8. Avoid causing indentations or air pockets after laying sod. You should keep good sod to soil contact. Rolling the area after sod installation will help to do this, but is not required. 9. Remember, the roots of your new sod exist within the top ½” - ¾” of soil. Until the roots are established, they will depend entirely on this thin layer for survival. NOTE: You are exempt from the watering schedule published by the Las Vegas Water District for 30 days after new sod installation. 10. Weather conditions can greatly affect sod. Be sure your sod has enough moisture to survive hot, windy and dry conditions. Adjust watering schedule according to these conditions. 11. Hand water areas near buildings and curbing where reflected heat could dry out turf. 12. During the first 2 weeks of installation, avoid heavy or concentrated use of your new lawn. This gives the roots an opportunity to firmly knit with the soil and insures that the turf will remain smooth. 13. Mow as often as needed to remove 1/3rd of the leaf blade. Keep the lawn longer in the summer to reduce heat stress. Keep mower blades sharp. 14. Fertilize your yard as needed to keep a rich green color. The lawn should be fertilized every 45 days in the spring and fall. Lesser amounts can be applied in the summer months but use caution. A high nitrogen fertilizer in the late fall insures a good green color throughout winter. WATERING INSTRUCTIONS FOR NEWLY INSTALLED SOD Proper watering of your new sod is the MOST important thing you can do. The following schedule should help outline the proper watering times for the first 2 weeks. SPRING: 2 - 3 times a day, morning and afternoon, for 4 - 7 minutes. Sod should be moist, not soggy. Once established, irrigate longer but less frequent to encourage deep rooting. SUMMER: Keep soil moist by watering more frequently. Reset sprinkler clocks to water approximately 7 - 10 minutes, 3 times a day at 7:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Shorter and more frequent watering is best. Watch sod for signs of stress and disease. Keep sod moist NOT SOGGY. FALL: Similar watering to spring conditions. WINTER: Water sod in mid-day to prevent freezing. Water as needed but avoid watering sod after 3:00 p.m. Sod requires watering a couple of times a week until established. Then once a week until spring. |
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