How To Irrigate St. Augustine Sod After It Has Been Laid In Texas?

After installing new St. Augustine sod in Texas, it is crucial to water the lawn thoroughly to ensure its establishment and future flourishing. Watering the sod twice a day for the first nine days after installation, once in the morning and again in the evening, is recommended to minimize evaporation and ensure the soil remains moist. Starting on day 10, watering can be reduced to once per day, preferably in the morning, while still making sure the water penetrates 3-4 inches.

For brand new St. Augustine grass sod, it is usually watered 2x a day, morning and evening until it starts to root. Once rooted, infrequent high duration watering is ideal. Watering should begin within a half hour of the sod being laid and water at least one inch deep to keep the soil beneath the turf wet. The watering schedule should start around 4:00 AM and 4 PM.

The key to watering new sod is keeping it from drying out. Right after laying down the grass sod, water the entire area so that the water penetrates the soil to a depth of 6 inches. Watering should be done 3 times per day for 5-15 minutes each time, depending on how much water your sprinklers provide. For St. Augustine lawns in North Texas, after four weeks of perfect care, switch to full deep watering.

In summary, proper watering after new St. Augustine sod installation is essential to ensure the turf gets established and thrives in the future. To ensure successful growth, it is recommended to purchase high-quality sod from reputable suppliers and water the lawn thoroughly.

What to do once you lay sod?

Newly installed sod requires more water than a regular lawn due to its roots needing more consistent moisture. Watering the sod for the first week to a half of laying it should be five to ten minutes, two to three times a day, depending on the weather. After this time, watering should decrease to once a day, ensuring the top quarter inch of soil is soaked. After three weeks, watering should be every other day, and after a month, watering should be done as an established lawn.

Watering should be done in the morning or evening to maximize moisture absorption. Fertilization should be avoided, waiting a month for the sod to establish its roots into the soil before applying a granular fertilizer. Mowing the sod should be done when it is 3. 5-4 inches long, avoiding cutting it too short and ensuring the mower’s blades are sharp and set to cut the grass evenly.

What is the best time to water saint Augustine grass?

Water your lawn for the first 20 days to keep it moist, then increase the frequency to three or more times a week during warm weather. In cooler weather, water once or twice a week. Watering should be done between 4 and 10 AM to reduce wind evaporation. Fertilize your lawn in six to eight weeks intervals, depending on its color, using an all-purpose fertilizer. Mow your lawn seven to ten days after installation, mowing to a height of 1 ½ to 2 ½ inches with a rotary mower.

Mow at least once a week during the warm season, never more than one third of the blade at one time. In the fall, raise the mowing height by ½ inch to increase leaf area, which helps the grass accumulate energy reserves for winter and prevents weed invasion. St. Augustine is highly resistant to common disease problems, but brown spots may be due to watering issues. Consult a turfgrass specialist if brown spots remain after adjusting the watering routine.

How often do you water Bermuda sod in Texas?

Bermuda Grass needs one to 1. 4 inches of water per day, with more frequent watering being three-quarter inches every three or four days. Watering daily is recommended unless after seeding or when the lawn is young. During summer, avoid watering during significant rainfall in the south. Overwatering can lead to weeds, thatch, and fungus growth. Overwatering allows weeds to thrive, while thatch prevents nutrients from reaching the roots and attracts insects. Fungus growth can be observed on the lawn due to excess moisture.

Does sod turn brown after installation?

New sods are initially irrigated with excessive quantities of water, which renders them susceptible to fungal infections that manifest as brown spots. It is often difficult to ascertain whether fungal infection has occurred, as this can lead to erroneous assumptions regarding the sod’s need for additional water. In cases where sod is damaged by fungus, a brown dead spot is typically observed, indicating the grass has died. However, a lighter yellow-ish-brown ring is also present, which signifies the fungus is spreading.

How often should I water St. Augustine grass in Texas summer?

St. Augustine grass is a popular choice for lawns in the southern United States due to its attractive and bright green appearance, which thrives in tropical and sub-tropical climates. However, it requires seasonal care to maintain its health and appearance. To start, water your grass two to three times a week in spring, and mowing once the grass returns from its dormant winter period. Leave grass clippings where they decompose as a natural, organic fertilizer, and apply a St. Augustine-safe weed and feed fertilizer about two to three weeks before the grass turns green.

In summer, the grass will be fully mature and requires watering two to four times a week, depending on the soil’s ability to hold moisture. Water in the morning or early afternoon to avoid lawn fungus getting on the grass from the evening rise in humidity. Fertilize it about ten weeks after the spring fertilization and give it an iron supplement if the grass looks pale. Avoid using herbicides if the temperature gets above ninety degrees, and pull any weeds by hand. Mow as necessary, but at least once a week.

In autumn, use an autumn-blend fertilizer and a St. Augustine-safe herbicide to remove any weeds. Water one to two times a week, depending on the rain in your area, and mow as needed. In winter, the grass reaches a dormant stage if the average soil temperature goes below sixty-eight degrees, causing leaves to lose their pigment and brown. If the temperature doesn’t stay below this threshold, apply a low-nitrogen fertilizer in the winter. Just before spring, apply a pre-emergent herbicide to keep crabgrass from appearing in your lawn.

To maintain a vibrant green lawn, properly care for St. Augustine grass, as long as you install healthy grass in your lawn. Duda Sod offers high-quality, robustly healthy St. Augustine sod grass, ready to take care of all your southern lawn care needs. Contact them today.

How long after installing sod can you walk on it?

Sod sets roots within two weeks after being laid, so it’s best to wait until the lawn has initial roots before walking on it. Double-check the sod’s roots before walking on it to avoid damaging it too soon. Consistent watering is crucial for growing healthy new sod, especially during summer when it’s laying. Regular watering throughout the day helps prevent drying and shrinking of the sod.

What is the best time of day to water St. Augustine grass?

The optimal time for lawn watering is the early morning, prior to the formation of dew, in order to prevent the occurrence of disease issues. The practice of watering in the late morning may serve to prolong the natural wetness of the lawn, whereas daytime watering may result in the loss of water due to evaporation caused by the sun’s rays. Furthermore, evening irrigation may result in water loss due to the cooling of the earth as it absorbs heat.

Should you roll sod after laying it?

After laying out a new sod lawn, it is recommended to wet the grass first, giving it at least 10 minutes of water and then rolling it. This helps glue the sod to the soil and ensures the roots have the necessary water to grow into the lawn. Watering multiple times daily between 5 am and 2 pm for the first 2-3 weeks is crucial for maintaining the sod lawn moist. After the sod has rooted, watering can be reduced to every other day or every three days, depending on the sod type and overall conditions.

After 6 to 8 weeks, re-fertilize the lawn with starter fertilizer, as the sod should have enough nitrogen from the soil base. Watering directions for new sod lawns are 3 to 5 times a day for 10 to 15 minutes or 5 times a day for 5 minutes for the first week or two. Consult an irrigation specialist or technician for specific watering tips.

After the second week, water every other day or every three days based on the type of sod and temperatures in your area. If the temperature gets over 90°, increase the watering regimen to every other day or every day. Be extra careful during hot weather and avoid overwatering the lawn. Watering at around 4:30 AM ensures the lawn absorbs water and breathes by the time nighttime hits. Frog fruit is the most drought-tolerant ground cover.

Is it okay to water bermuda at night?

The practice of watering lawns at night can contribute to the emergence of diseases, particularly if the grass is allowed to remain wet for an extended duration. Additionally, this method of irrigation can result in water wastage due to the slower rate of evaporation that occurs when the grass is wet.

How to water new St Augustine sod in Texas?

In October, water newly installed sod 1. 5-2. 0 inches (7-10 hours with a wand sprinkler) until it becomes “squishy”. Reduce watering to 1 inch every 7-10 days, then every 2-3 days for 1 hour. When the sod pieces can no longer be picked up, watering should be reduced to 1 inch every 2-3 weeks. In November-December, water the sod with 1 inch (5 hours with a wand sprinkler) until it becomes “squishy”, then apply 1 inch every 10-14 days.

What to do after laying St. Augustine sod?

After installing grass sod, it is essential to water the entire area to a depth of 6 inches, as this is a natural process for establishing a strong, healthy lawn. The watering should be evenly distributed daily, between 2-10 am, in the morning, with each zone typically needing 1-1. 5 inches of water daily. However, more may be needed if the soil is dense clay or compacted. Adequate watering all at once allows the water to penetrate the soil deeply, which is necessary for healthy root establishment.

To determine the irrigation runtime per zone, use a guide based on soil, sunlight, season, sprinkler head type, slope, and species. For even coverage, use an in-ground irrigation system and a hose-end sprinkler attachment if using a water hose.