new bermuda sod help

lilmanplease – posted 11 May 2011 09:35

See picture. We put down bermuda sod on may 4. We removed all the weed and grass with shovels and used a bow rake to grade the area and added top soil (less than an inch). first half of the sod was laid the day it was delivered and the second half was laid the next day. Im in Atlanta and it was fairly hot. I water the sod 15 min in the am and 15 min in the pm. now that it is week two, I started watering 20 min in the am. I’m concern that the sod is dieing. Please take a look the pictures and tell me what i need to do to save it. Should I add starter fertilizer or nitrogen or just leave it alone?

http://media.angelfire.lycos.com/3240046/1738845.jpghttp://media.angelfire.lycos.com/3240046/1738843.jpghttp://media.angelfire.lycos.com/3240046/1738846.jpghttp://media.angelfire.lycos.com/3240046/1738848.jpghttp://media.angelfire.lycos.com/3240046/1738849.jpghttp://media.angelfire.lycos.com/3240046/1738850.jpg

Thanks

[This message has been edited by lilmanplease (edited 11 May 2011).]

[This message has been edited by lilmanplease (edited 11 May 2011).]

[This message has been edited by lilmanplease (edited 11 May 2011).]

[This message has been edited by lilmanplease (edited 11 May 2011).]

TNJDM – posted 11 May 2011 14:10

I have been doing a lot of studying as I am about to lay 3K sq ft of Bermuda Sod.

I think right off the bat, you have not given the grass enough water. There is a retired sod farmer, Texasweed, on other forums, who recommends that new sod be watered to the point of sogginess as soon as it is laid and then a bunch of times during the day (at least a few) with the goal of keeping the roots moist for a week a couple of weeks.

If you were only doing 15 minutes in the morning and 15 in the evening, just does not appear you were keeping the roots moist, as they should be, during the rooting process.

-Can you still lift the grass at this point?-What type of Bermuda did you lay?

Here is what he gives customers when they buy sod:

Your sod is an investment. As such should be treated that way and protected to ensure maximum return on your investment. Your sod was watered and fertilized early this morning before cutting and shipping to you.

Have the area prepared before arrival with a smooth flat surface with loose rich soil on the top 1 inch, free of debris, and lightly watered just before laying so the area is not so muddy to prevent walking on but damp and moist. This will prevent the underside of the sod from drying out while installing the sod. If the area is large requiring significant time to complete, water the sod that has been installed, the area yet to be completed, and the remaining setting on the pallets to keep moist during the installation process.

Once the installation project is completed, saturate the entire installation area with water to a 6-inch depth to the point the area is soggy and fells soft to walk on. This will take several hours of irrigation. DO NOT SKIP THIS PROCEDURE. For the next 2 weeks the area will need watered from 2 to 6 times a day with light to moderate watering depending on weather conditions to keep the soil moist but not soggy. The last watering of the day during this period should be a hour or two before sunset to allow the grass to dry out a bit to prevent fungal problems. Avoid walking on the grass during this period to the extent possible. If any browning, yellowing, or discolorations occurs check that area by digging fingers into the soil to check for moisture.

After the two week period you should mow when the ground is firm enough and when the sod is rooted. You can simply pull at the edges and corners to determine if the sod is rooted or not. Mow no more then 1/3 of the grass depth, and continue mowing every 3 days until the desired height is reached between ½ to 1-1/2 inches.

Cut back on watering after first mowing to once a day in the mornings for the next week until desire height is reached, about a week to 10 days. Then water once every 3 days for two weeks. After that water only when needed. Wait until 30 days after installation for the first fertilizer application, then fertilize as instructed for normal care and maintenance.

Really sounds like this may be your problem and not sure it’s to late.

lilmanplease – posted 11 May 2011 15:37

I was told by the sod company (which I just found out is a middlemen) to water 15 min in the am and 15 min the pm. I will change my watering schedule today to 20 min in the am and pm. My question is: will it survive?

[This message has been edited by lilmanplease (edited 11 May 2011).]

Gatorinfla – posted 13 May 2011 07:45

20 minutes won’t get it done. More like an hour twice a day would be appropriate.Not watering enough seems penny wise pound foolish.