Help Yellow Sod

schweetie80 – posted 13 May 2005 12:57

I laid new sod 6 days ago. I tilled and added fertiizer to the soil. I made sure the grass was flush to the ground. I water twice a day for 30 minutes. The sod went from green, to gray-blue, to a yellow-brown. Under the sod there are new white roots. How do I mak the grass green again?

tommy – posted 13 May 2005 13:03

How long was the sod on the pallet before it was laid? It also sounds like you need to cut back on the water! Keep the same “run time”, but go to every other day instead of every day.

schweetie80 – posted 13 May 2005 13:06

They told me the sod had been delivered that day. It was moist and green when I laid it. Should I still cut back on the water even though it is very dry on top. The Soil seems moist though under neath the sod. All of the sod is in direct sun and it is quite warm here. What do you think?

tommy – posted 16 May 2005 13:45

The only way i can see that would cause you to water as much as you are- is if your sprinkler nozzle’s are extremely small- or your head spacing is not correct. Do you think any of those conditions exsist? If you think the system is pretty good and wetting the area evenly – don’t worry about a little dryness on top…..whats important is whats going on in the root zone.

schweetie80 – posted 16 May 2005 18:09

After a few days, the brown spots have new green growth poking through. The underside is developing nice white roots. I think the sod is going to survive. Good point though regarding the sprinklers. I don’t think they are hitting all areas evenly. Is is possible to overfertilize the sod? I already have applied a turf starter and ironite. The local nursery recommended a root stimulator after 2 weeks. Do I risk overfertilizing?

tommy – posted 18 May 2005 08:25

Yes, its possible to over fertilize….but the products you used are pretty safe at recommended rates. You probably do not need a root stimulater, but you will need to fertilize again in about a month. Use any name brand, balanced , lawn food.