Watering New Turfgrass Sod
When . . . How . . . How Much

The first watering of newly installed turfgrass sod is the most important. Begin watering immediately after installation of new turfgrass. The first watering establishes how well the grass will perform for years to come.

• It is essential to begin watering new turf within a half hour after it is laid on the soil. Apply at least 1 inch of water so that the soil beneath the turf is very wet. Ideally, the soil 3 to 4 inches below the surface will be moist.

• For the next two weeks (or until the turf is well rooted), keep the below-turf soil surface moist with daily (or more frequent) waterings of approximately 1/4 inch each. Especially hot, dry, or windy periods will necessitate increased watering amounts and frequency.

• During the remainder of the growing season, most lawns will do very well with a maximum of 1 inch of water a week, coming either from rain or applied water. Soil conditions may dictate that the amount be applied in two settings, two to three days apart. This amount of water, properly applied, is all that is required for the health of the grass, providing it is applied evenly and saturates the underlying soil to a depth of 4 to 6 in.