Days 1 to 14: keep it moist
Water right after installation so the soil under the sod is wet, then keep the sod consistently moist while the roots grab hold. In Georgia heat that often means watering every day, sometimes more than once on the hottest days. Lift a corner: the soil underneath should be damp, not soggy or dry.
Days 15 to 30: water deeper, less often
Once the sod resists a gentle tug, it's rooting. Start watering less often but longer, which pushes roots deeper and builds a tougher lawn.
First mow
Mow when the sod has rooted and the grass is a bit taller than its normal height. Use a sharp blade and don't remove more than about a third of the blade at once.
What to avoid
- Heavy foot traffic for the first couple of weeks
- Letting the seams dry out and shrink
- Fertilizing right away (wait until it's established)
- Mowing while the ground is soft and soggy