New Fescue Sod Planted in Atlanta…a Few Questions

kennesawgrass – posted 03 April 2005 23:33

Thanks again for the responses to my previous thread. I went ahead and put out 3.5 pallets of tall fescue last weekend and the yard is looking much better. In fact, here are some shots of the yard (before / after)

Before Before Pic 1

Before Pic 2

After

After Pic 1

After Pic 2

Here are my questions :

1) When is it appropriate to mow the yard, I am picking up a reel mower this week, and am curious as to when its safe to cut the grass (planted Fri Mar 25th)

2) Watering : While walking around the edges I noticed some of the dirt in the sod was a bit dry (even with the massive amount of rain we have received in Atlanta the last week)…however, I noticed that on these pieces the roots were much more attached to the clay than on pieces that were moist. The moist pieces seem to be rooting much slower (not in search of water I guess?) than the pieces that are getting a bit less water. Should I water the dryer (sp?) pieces more, and let the pieces that are still a bit moist dry up a bit to get those roots to extend a bit?

Thanks for any help

[This message has been edited by kennesawgrass (edited 03 April 2005).]

ted – posted 04 April 2005 08:46

you need to keep the soil moist for at least 2 weeks. you don’t need a reel mower a regular mower will do just fine.don’t remove anymore than 1/3 of the grass blade when you mow. make sure to soil test it- there’s a Lesco in atlanta. sodding this time of year a dicey proposition on your market, with fungus season and hot weather right around the corner- you’ll have to really stay on top of it- recommend a pro chemical lawn care company.