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How to Care for New Sod Grass in North Dallas

September 25, 2023
, Sod

Without a doubt, one of the largest and most difficult plants to maintain for most Texas homeowners is sod grass or turf grass. Whether you take an interest in your lawn or not, basic maintenance will always be required for your sod, especially if you reside in the North Dallas area.

To start, you may wonder when is the best time to plant new sod. The answer is actually quite simple: any form of new sod you have purchased is best planted within its required growing season. Simply put, this means you should plant your sod in the season or favorable climate in which it will grow best. Just as animals gather food for energy before hibernating, your sod will need to collect enough water and sunlight to become rooted to the soil before its dormant season, which typically takes between three to four weeks.

The predominant sod type installed in the North Dallas area is known as warm-season grass, meaning that its prime growing season is during the warmer months of March through October. Some commonly known warm-season grasses are: Bermuda, St. Augustine and Zoysia. While Bermuda is best in full sun, St. Augustine and Zoysia are the best shade tolerant grass types.

Below are some basic guidelines that will help you care for your new North Dallas sod grass through proper watering, mowing and fertilizing.

Watering New Sod

Throughout the first few weeks of your sod installation, also known as the “rooting period” consistent watering is essential for its growth. In order for this to happen, the sod will need to be consistently moist, promoting the settlement of roots into the soil.

Initial Watering

Plan to water your new sod twice each day for about 10-20 minutes if using an irrigation sprinkler system. The best time to do this will be in the morning and at the end of the day. Be prepared to water more if you notice that the sod is drying out in between waterings. Maintain this watering schedule for the first 2-3 weeks.

Regular Watering

After the initial watering phase, you can switch to your regular weekly watering schedule. During the growing season, regular watering with a sprinkler system should be once each week for 10-20 minutes. Both terrain and climate can impact effective watering, so be prepared to make adjustments. Given the high cost to sod a yard in the North Dallas area, you may also want to consult with your lawn maintenance company and local water utility provider for advice on best watering practices.

Mowing New Lawns

Newly installed sod can generally be mowed when it reaches three to four inches in height. All grasses have different mowing and maintenance needs. For example, Zoysia typically grows slower than Bermuda and St. Augustine, so it will not need mowing as much as other grasses might. Basic mowing guidelines for all sod types recommend mowing your grass every couple of weeks when it comes in and out of dormancy and weekly during its peak growing season.

Fertilizing New Sod Grass

During the growing season, all types of turf grass should be fertilized on a regular basis. The most beneficial time to start fertilizing your lawn is in the spring just as it comes out of dormancy and is ready to grow. There are two types of fertilizer you can use on your lawn: liquid and granular.

Granular Fertilizer

Most people fertilize their lawns with granular fertilizer because it is readily available at most stores. Granular fertilizer is both water soluble and slow-release, meaning that it releases fertilizer gradually into the soil and therefore needs less frequent applications as compared to liquid fertilizers. During humid, hot summer months, we recommend using a granular fertilizer.

Liquid Fertilizer

Using a liquid fertilizer is less costly most of the time and yields faster results. Although the cost may be lower, liquid fertilizer must also be applied more frequently because it dissipates faster. In addition, applying liquid fertilizer may be a little more time consuming due to measuring and mixing with water and requires a bit more skill to evenly apply with a pump sprayer.

Following these few basic guidelines needed to care for your new North Dallas sod grass will help ensure your lawn will thrive and flourish for years to come. In addition, here are some recommendations for natural lawn care if you want to use less chemical fertilizers and herbicides to maintain your lawn.