Though sod is an extremely hardy ground cover, it is at its weakest and most vulnerable right now!
WHY DO I HAVE TO ‘STAY OFF THE GRASS’?
The new grass in your yard has been through a lot lately. Having been recently been harvested, rolled, transported, and now installed it is under stress.
The new topsoil under the sod is not fully compacted, any non diffused weight placed on it will cause imprints and an uneven appearance. Should you need to walk on a newly sodded area, place a piece of plywood on the sod and walk gently on it.
HOW TO ENSURE A HEALTHY LUSH LAWN
Water is the single most important factor in the development of your new lawn. After installation it should be given a thorough and deep watering. Using a sprinkler, apply 2-2.5 cm of water to the entire area. This can be gauged by placing a measuring cup or glass on the lawn and using it to measure.
Your lawn will require water every other day for the first week, as roots develop, less will be needed. If it rains you wont have to water as much, but it may affect the time it take for the topsoil to firm enough for regular activity.
You can test root development by gently trying to lift a piece of sod, as they develop the sod will become anchored to the earth.
HOW TO MAINTAIN A BEAUTIFUL LAWN
Before trimming your lawn for the first time, allow it to grown to 2 1/2 – 3 inches to allow the sod to settle and become established. The length of the grass is proportionate to the length of the roots so for the same reasons you should mow an established lawn at 2 1/2 inches.