[Arid_gardener] Re: New Sod Maintenance

[Olin Miller]

  From:
 http://www.westcoastturf.com/maintenance.php

 Within 1/2 hour of its installation, give the freshly applied sod at
least 1 inch of water.

 For the first ten days, it's crucial that you water the new sod three
times per day, during daylight. You should give the fresh turf 1/4 inch of
water each time, enough that the turf and soil are kept saturated. Keep foot
traffic off the new sod for these first ten days as well. This will help the
turf establish itself.

 After 10 days, you can water it two times a week or four times if the
weather is extremely hot and dry. This step is also crucial, even for
dormant grass.

 Once the first ten days have passed, keep foot traffic and pet traffic
at a minimum for the next four weeks.

 Mow your new turf as soon as sod is rooted. Make sure your mower blade
is sharp and check to see that you do not cut off more than 1/3 of the
blades of grass at a time.

 You may apply insecticides, if necessary, four weeks after
installation. Check with your local county extension agent or garden center
to determine the best choice for your lawn.

 A proper fertilization program is essential as well. Three to six
applications of fertilizer a year is adequate for most turf types, and you
may want a fertilizer with trace elements such as copper, iron and zinc.
Check with your local extension agent or garden center for a fertilizer
recommendation and application schedule.

 The right irrigation schedule and technique can help ensure deep root
growth. Soak the soil 6 inches deep when you water. This not only promotes
deeper roots, it allows you to water less frequently. If you have heavy
clay, soak the soil in 15 or 20 minute increments to avoid runoff. Frequent,
but light, watering causes shallow root growth, which is susceptible to
heat-stress and disease.

Olin Miller, Master Gardener Volunteer
U of A Cooperative Extension, Maricopa County AZ
============================================

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <mgallagher at simonjude.org>
To: <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 12:47 PM
Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page


> Margaret
> 85304-1217
> mgallagher at simonjude.org
>
> How long does it take for sod to take root and be able to be walked on?