Sod Installation & Aftercare
Choosing the right sod is key to a healthy lawn. Learn how to select, install, and care for new sod, plus expert tips on soil prep, irrigation, and drainage solutions for long-term success.
Choosing the Right Sod for Your Lawn
Choosing the right sod for your lawn, installing it correctly, and following proper aftercare are critical to establishing a healthy, thriving lawn. No single grass type is perfect for every situation, so selecting the right variety based on climate, sun exposure, usage, and maintenance requirements is key.
Climate Considerations
Central Arkansas falls within the "Transition Zone", where summers are too hot for cool-season grasses, and winters can be harsh on warm-season varieties.
✅ Recommended Warm-Season Grasses:
Zoysia – Great for home lawns with moderate shade tolerance and good drought resistance.
Bermuda – Highly durable, drought-resistant, and excellent for high-traffic areas. *FULL SUN REQUIRED*
St. Augustine – Best for shady conditions but does not handle foot traffic well and requires unique maintenance practices.
❌ Not Recommended:
Cool-season grasses like Fescue, Rye, and Bluegrass are unsuitable for Central Arkansas and will struggle in the summer heat. They should be considered only in nearly 100% shaded areas with minimal foot traffic.
Drought Tolerance
Bermuda & Zoysia: Fairly drought-tolerant but require 1.0 to 1.5 inches of water per week during dry periods.
Centipede & St. Augustine: Less drought-tolerant and require careful water management.
Shade Tolerance
Most turfgrass varieties need full sun to thrive.
St. Augustine & Tall Fescue offer the most shade tolerance but come with trade-offs in maintenance.
Raising tree canopies can increase available sunlight without removing trees.
Wear Tolerance
Bermudagrass: Best for high-traffic areas due to its ability to recover quickly.
Centipede & St. Augustine: Poor choices for heavily used lawns as they recover slowly.
Addressing Drainage & Water Flow Before Installation
If you’re installing sod, it's critical to diagnose and address any underlying drainage issues first. Water pooling and poor drainage can kill new sod quickly, especially during dormancy. I may even be the reason you need new sod.
How to Improve Drainage Before Laying Sod:
1️⃣ Gutters & Downspouts: Extend downspouts away from your lawn to prevent excess water buildup. Consider underground drains for better water management.
2️⃣ French Drains: Installing a French drain in low areas can redirect excess water and prevent soggy spots.
3️⃣ Work With Natural Drainage Patterns: If necessary, create a shallow pond or decorative drainage feature to turn excess water into a landscape benefit.
4️⃣ Correct Low Spots: Identify depressions in your lawn and fill them with a topsoil-sand mix before laying new sod.
💡 Pro Tip: Poor drainage can lead to fungal growth and encourage invasive weeds like nutgrass, sedge grass, and knotweed. Addressing drainage issues before installation will prevent future lawn problems.
Soil Preparation: The Key to Sod Success
Proper soil preparation is essential to help sod establish strong roots and avoid transplant shock.
❌ DO NOT simply lay sod on unprepared soil!
✅ Step 1: Till the Area
Loosen soil to a depth of at least 3 inches to improve drainage and root penetration.
✅ Step 2: Remove Debris
Clear all rocks, roots, and any remaining old grass.
✅ Step 3: Add Fresh Soil
Spread a ½-inch layer of blended topsoil (60-80% sand & 20-40% compost mix) to enrich the soil and improve leveling.
✅ Step 4: Level, Moisten, & Lay Sod
Use a hard-tine rake to level the soil.
Lightly water the area (DO NOT lay sod on dry soil).
Lay sod in a staggered, brick-like formation to prevent seams from lining up.
🌱Bonus Tip: Applying a mycorrhizal fungi product before sod installation stimulates root growth and speeds up establishment.
🚫 Keep foot traffic to a minimum for the first month!
Watering New Sod: The 4 Phases of Establishment
Your new sod will go through four critical watering phases, each requiring a different approach.
Step 1: Immediate Deep Watering
Right after installation, run an irrigation cycle to soak the soil to 6 inches deep:
Misting Zones: 9-10 minutes per zone
Rotating Sprinkler Zones: 25-30 minutes per zone
Step 2: Frequent, Shallow Watering (First 10-14 Days)
Water 2-3 times daily (depending on the season) for short durations to keep roots cool and moist.
Example: 2-minute cycles at 4 AM, 11 AM, and 3 PM (adjust based on temperature).
Monitor by lifting sod edges—the soil should be moist but not muddy.
Step 3: Transition to Normal Irrigation (Week 2-4)
Begin reducing watering frequency while increasing soak depth.
The first mow & fertilization occurs during this phase.
The first mow should be 1 inch taller than normal to avoid stress.
Step 4: Full Establishment & Long-Term Lawn Care
After an entire season, roots still develop and may take several growing seasons to mature fully.
Watch for hot spots, thin areas, or signs of stress from sun exposure, drainage issues, or improper irrigation coverage.
Final Tips for Long-Term Sod Success
✔ Be patient! Sod takes time to fully establish.
✔ Monitor for pests, weeds, and fungal issues. Address them early.
✔ Fertilize appropriately – A slow-release, organic fertilizer helps develop strong roots.
✔ Adjust irrigation as needed based on weather conditions.
If you follow these steps, your sod will transition into a strong, healthy, and lush lawn that will last for years.