Sod Care Mistakes to Avoid: Common Lawn Care Errors
Installing fresh sod is an investment in your lawn’s beauty, but improper care can lead to poor growth, discoloration, or even sod failure. At Long Island Sod Company, we want to help you avoid the most common sod care mistakes so your lawn stays lush and healthy. Here’s what NOT to do when caring for new sod.
1. Watering Too Much or Too Little
🚫 Overwatering: Leads to shallow roots, fungus growth, and disease.
🚫 Underwatering: Causes sod to dry out and fail to establish.
✅ Solution: Water new sod 2-3 times per day for the first two weeks, then gradually reduce to 2-3 times per week once roots establish.
2. Mowing Too Soon or Too Short
🚫 Cutting sod before it’s rooted can pull up the grass and damage root growth.
🚫 Mowing too short stresses the grass and weakens its ability to absorb nutrients.
✅ Solution: Wait 2-3 weeks before mowing. Keep blades at least 3 inches high to encourage strong growth.
3. Not Preparing the Soil Properly
🚫 Laying sod on hard, compacted soil prevents roots from establishing.
🚫 Skipping fertilization reduces nutrient availability for healthy sod.
✅ Solution: Loosen the soil, add compost if needed, and apply a starter fertilizer before sod installation.
4. Allowing Weeds to Take Over
🚫 Using herbicides too soon can damage new sod.
🚫 Not addressing weeds early leads to competition for nutrients and water.
✅ Solution: Wait at least 6 weeks before using weed killers. Hand-pull any weeds that appear in new sod.
5. Skipping Lawn Rolling After Installation
🚫 Air pockets between the sod and soil prevent proper root contact.
🚫 Uneven sod placement can cause gaps or dry patches.
✅ Solution: Use a lawn roller after installation to eliminate air pockets and improve root contact with the soil.
6. Ignoring Seasonal Sod Care Needs
🚫 Spring & Summer: Failing to water deeply in hot weather can cause sod stress.
🚫 Fall: Skipping fall fertilization weakens the lawn before winter.
✅ Solution: Adjust your watering schedule based on the season and fertilize in spring and fall for optimal growth.
Keep Your Sod Healthy with Expert Advice
Avoiding these common sod care mistakes will help your lawn thrive. At Long Island Sod Company, we provide expert guidance, premium sod, and professional installation services to ensure your lawn stays green and beautiful.
Contact us today for a free consultation or sod delivery in Long Island!
