When Should You Fertilize New Sod?

New sod is a great way to establish a thick, healthy lawn. However, new sod needs regular irrigation and fertilization in order to help it establish itself properly. If you’re planning to lay new sod on your lawn, you’re probably wondering when you should apply fertilizer. When is the best time to do this? In this guide, we will discuss the different times that you should fertilize your new sod, as well as how to go about doing it.

Why should you fertilize new sod?

As soon as you’ve laid the last piece of sod on your lawn, the work has just begun. While laying new sod gives your lawn a great head start, it is still very fragile and must be cared for properly in order to survive and thrive. One of the most important things you can do for a new sod is to fertilize it.

So, when should you fertilize your new sod?

The first time that you should fertilize your new sod is right after you have laid it down. This will give the sod a boost of nutrients that it needs in order to get started. You can use general-purpose fertilizer for this.

The next time you should fertilize your new sod is about six weeks after you have laid it down. At this point, the roots of the sod will have had a chance to grow and establish themselves, and they will be able to better absorb the fertilizer. You can use lawn fertilizer for this application.

Finally, you should fertilize your new sod one last time in the fall, before the winter sets in. This will help the sod to survive the winter and come back strong in the spring. Again, you can use lawn fertilizer for this.

When to fertilize before you plant

Before you plant your sod, the soil should be tested for pH, phosphorous, and potassium levels. These tests will help determine what fertilizer is best for your new lawn.

They also determine if there are amendments that need to be added before planting. For example, in areas with soil that tends to be alkaline, lime may need to be added to balance the pH level (which affects how well the grass absorbs nutrients).

In most areas, fall is the best time of year to add amendments and lime. That gives them time to work into the soil before planting in mid-winter or early spring when temperatures are cool enough for seed germination but not so cold that dormancy sets in. This helps get a jump start on spring growth.

How often should you fertilize new sod?

After your initial fertilizer application, you should wait at least six weeks before applying more. After that, you can apply fertilizer every four to six weeks during the growing season. Be sure to use a lawn fertilizer that has a high nitrogen content in order to promote growth.

How to apply fertilizer to new sod?

When applying fertilizer to new sod, you should use a broadcast spreader. This will help to evenly distribute the fertilizer over the entire area. Be sure to follow the directions on the fertilizer package in order to avoid damaging the sod.

After you have applied the fertilizer, water it in well. This will help the roots of the sod to absorb the nutrients from the fertilizer.

Best practices for fertilizing

Once the grass is established, you can fertilize it following these guidelines:

1. If the soil pH is lower than 4.5, use a fertilizer that contains sulfur. Follow the directions on the label for application rates.
2. For healthy turf and improved color, apply iron supplements in spring and fall.
3. Use nitrogen-based fertilizers sparingly. These fertilizers tend to encourage excess growth of foliage at the expense of root development, which makes grass more susceptible to drought and disease.
4. Apply fertilizers in early spring and late summer or fall when grass is actively growing.
5. Avoid fertilizing before heavy rain, which can wash away the fertilizer before it has a chance to be absorbed by the roots.
6. Apply organic matter to your lawn as needed. This will help improve drainage and reduce compaction. It will also encourage deeper root growth, which is important for drought tolerance.
7. Mulch leaves in the fall to provide nutrients for the grass and help prevent thatch buildup.
8. Aerate compacted soils to encourage deep root growth and reduce thatch accumulation. Aeration also helps water and nutrients penetrate the soil more easily.

Conclusion

If you have followed the steps above, your new sod should be well on its way to a healthy start. Be sure to fertilize it according to the schedule laid out in this article, and soon you’ll be enjoying a lush, green lawn.