If you want to establish a new lawn on your property in Iowa, then sod is the way to go. After all, you can enjoy lush green grass immediately! However, while it'll look beautiful directly after installation, it's still weak and needs time to establish roots in the soil. To help it do this, you need to follow a strict watering schedule. So, you'll want to water your new sod heavily right after installation, then 2-4 times a day for the next two weeks. It's best to wait to mow until after 3-4 weeks, but once you do, you can reduce how often you water it to 1-2 times a day. After 30 days, you can start watering your sod normally, about three times a week.

You'll want to water your new sod heavily right after installation.

Sod is pre-grown grass, so it'll look like a beautiful, lush lawn immediately after installation. However, it's still weak and hasn't had a chance to establish roots in the soil. Because of this, you'll want to water your new sod heavily right away. The water will absorb into it and down to the soil underneath, which will help the roots to develop and establish. If you were to wait until the next day, you'd risk the sod drying out and hindering its ability to grow its roots.

Water your new sod 2-4 times a day for the next two weeks following installation.

Our recent client watering his newly sodded lawn in Johnston, IA.

Once you install your new sod, you're in it for the long haul, as taking care of it doesn't end after the first day. On the contrary, you'll want to water it 2-4 times a day for the next two weeks following installation. How much it'll need depends on the weather; you'll want to water it more on hotter days. That way, you can keep the sod moist and the root systems hydrated, encouraging them to grow deeper and become more established in the soil.

Once you mow your new sod after 3-4 weeks, you can reduce how often you water it to 1-2 times a day.

Mower in a sodded lawn in Polk City, IA.

About 3-4 weeks after installation, it's time to consider mowing your new sod. You can see if it's ready by lightly tugging on it. If it doesn't lift, the roots are better established and can handle mowing. However, you'll want to avoid cutting it too short, as it can put stress on its roots. Once you mow your new sod for the first time, you can reduce how often you water it to 1-2 times a day. Whether it needs one or two depends on the weather, though it's still crucial to regularly water it to encourage further root development in the soil.

You'll want to stop watering your new sod the day before you plan to mow it for the first time to give it a chance to firm up.

You can water your sod normally three times a week after 30 days.

Your new sod will likely have developed a stronger, deeper root system around 30 days after installation. So, you'll want to test that by pulling up on it. If it doesn't lift, you can start watering it normally! A good, consistent watering schedule is three times a week to ensure it has enough hydration to stay healthy and pristine.

Call Us to Schedule Our Sod Installation Service & Enjoy a Beautiful Lawn Immediately

If you want to establish a new lawn, you've come to the right place! At A+ Lawn & Landscape, we can install sod so you can enjoy beautiful, lush green grass immediately. We'll also recommend following an ideal watering schedule to ensure your new sod can establish deep root systems and thrive for years to come.

We offer our sod installation service to residential and commercial properties, plus HOAs, in Des Moines, West Des Moines, Ankeny, and other nearby areas in Iowa. Call us at (515) 289-2020 to schedule today!