Can You Water New Sod Too Much?

Watering new sod is important, and it does require a certain level of attentiveness. However, it is possible to water your new sod too much. How can you know if your sod is reaching the appropriate levels of moisture? Let’s find out!

Is Watering New Sod a Good Idea?

If you are afraid of watering new sod, don’t be. Watering new sod is actually necessary to ensure that it will take root. In fact, it is entirely true that you will need to water new sod more than established grass. However, it is important to know where the line is between watering it just enough and watering it excessively.

After all, allowing your sod to be exposed to too much water can do more than just make it a soggy mess. It can create a system that has weak roots, is susceptible to fungi and insects, and is prone to disease. There are signs that can let you know if you are watering your new sod too much, and once you spot these, you can go ahead and skip watering a few times to keep the sod moist but not overly soaked.

Signs You’re Overwatering

There are several signs to look for that you are watering your new sod too much. If you are able to catch these signs early, you may still be able to save your sod from any of the negative side effects of excessive watering.

Roots Not Knitting into the Soil

Under normal circumstances, grass should start to root and knit with the soil underneath the sod after one to three weeks. To check that the grass is doing this properly, lift a corner of the sod and see if it is hard to move it. If the roots are growing into the soil the way they should be, the sod should be very difficult to move. If you are finding it very easy to pick up the sod even after three weeks, it may have been a victim of overwatering.

Root Rot

Root rot is easy to check for. Simply lift the sod to look underneath at the roots. If the roots appear to be rotting, you may be watering the sod too much.

Soggy Sod

The best way to tell if you’ve been watering your new sod properly is to check with your finger. The sod should feel sufficiently damp that it is not dry, but it should not be so full of water that it is muddy. If the sod begins to feel like it is heavy from the weight of the water, you may have overwatered it.

Depth of Moisture

When you water your sod, you want to make sure that you are providing enough moisture for the water to reach the first inch of the soil underneath. Once the sod has begun knitting into the soil properly, you can reduce the frequency with which you water it. However, each time you water it, you want to make sure that the water is reaching six inches deep. 

Let Us Help

Watering new sod can be tricky, but an expert can help you determine how to save your sod from overwatering. At Sod Depot, we can be that expert for you. We have an array of products and years of expertise to make sure that you receive the best customer care. Contact us today!