How Often Should You Water New Sod in Central Texas?
Proper watering after installing new sod is critical to ensuring the long-term health and beauty of your yard. This period of time can pose a considerable challenge in Central Texas, where the heat and dryness can be incredibly hostile to new sod. However, you can get great results by taking the right approach to watering from the start.
Your First Watering
The very first watering can make or break your new lawn, as it plays an essential role in root establishment. This means that your first watering should be to complete saturation, penetrating the soil to a depth of six inches. By making sure that the appropriate depth is reached by water, you can help encourage downward root growth to create a strong foundation.
When carrying out your initial watering, carefully lift the corner of a piece of sod to take a look at the soil underneath. This will help you visually verify that sufficient saturation has been reached. Don’t forget to check a few different points once you think you’ve reached the necessary saturation.
Watering During the First Two Weeks
After you’re past the initial watering, you’re going to have to follow a strict regime over the next two weeks. This is essential to ensure that your sod integrates properly, even in the Texas heat. You’ll not only have to water daily, but also make sure that you’re watering the right amount and gradually reducing frequency over the second week.
The goal is to keep the top inch of soil moist at all times but not waterlogged. Overwatering can be just as hazardous as underwatering. If you’re completely drenching your sod over an extended period of time, you can suffocate the roots and foster fungus growth.
The Transition to Regular Maintenance
In most cases, the first mow marks the transition between new sod and an established lawn. This will take place around the two to three-week mark, and it also means that it’s time to change up your watering schedule.
At this point, you should be watering every other day, which allows the top inch of soil to dry a bit between waterings. The lack of readily available water at the surface helps the grass to develop deeper roots. Those deeper roots are absolutely essential for long-term viability in the Central Texas climate.
Adjusting Watering Based on the Season
Don’t forget about the impact that seasonal changes will have on your lawn. Of course, the hotter months call for more watering, as evaporation quickly removes any excess moisture.
As temperatures cool, though, you will want to reduce watering to avoid waterlogging the grass. The same is true during periods of frequent rain. Understanding the local climate is key to raising a beautiful lawn anywhere.
More Tips for Effective Watering
Frequency isn’t the only factor to consider when watering your new sod or an established lawn. The time of day is also important. Ideally, you’ll want to water early in the morning to let the water soak in without evaporating, which also allows the soil to dry by nightfall to prevent disease and damage.
If you haven’t invested in a sprinkler system, consider doing so before installing a new lawn. Hand watering often leads to a very uneven distribution, leaving some patches dry and others waterlogged. Sprinklers cover the entire lawn evenly, and they save you quite a bit of time spent on lawn maintenance, too.
Achieving a Stunning Lawn
If you’ve just installed sod or are looking to establish a new lawn in Central Texas in the future, keep these watering guidelines in mind. Paying attention to detail from the start will have a long-term impact on the health of your lawn, and the right watering schedule can help ensure that impact is a positive one.
Grass Works has been providing Expert Residential & Commercial Local Lawn Care Services in Central Texas: Austin, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Avery Ranch, Bee Cave, Lakeway, Steiner Ranch & West Austin since 2007! Need help with your landscaping? Get a free estimate today!
Ferris MyCue is the founder and owner of Grass Works Lawn Care, LLC located in Leander, TX. As a former firefighter who maintained yards on his days off, he saw a need for a dependable, local maintenance company that knew the hill country climate and could deliver quality landscaping services for a reasonable price. Since 2007 he has used his leadership to grow the company into one of the top landscape maintenance companies in Austin and surrounding areas offering landscape maintenance, design, and irrigation services to both residential and commercial clients. Ferris is also a member of the Seasonal Employment Alliance (SEA) and an active participant in advocacy efforts to help promote cap relief.