New sod

palosf – posted 31 August 2004 14:41

I just put down some Empire Zoysia Sod here in NC. I just did a soil sample test for the ph level that turned out to be 5.5. Can i put lime down to correct the ph level even though I already put down the sod. I put it down on the 18th and have been watering it daily. I am worried that it will die since i didn’t correct the ph prior to laying down the sod. Also I tilled the ground and put 10-10-10 fertilizer down prior to laying the sod. Any suggestion on how to ensure that my sod doesn’t die? Also how soon should I put down the fall fertilizer?

Alex_in_FL – posted 31 August 2004 20:19

Cohiba and I answered in another section of the forum. Bottom line is:- you can slowly add lime to raise pH- you can also use limestone- zoysia will live in 5.5 pH but does better in higher pH- 10-10-10 fertilizer was good addition if added per the directions (or even a little extra).- Water deeply when you water

Zoysia is tough and so don’t sweat the pH thing.

ted – posted 31 August 2004 21:49

a couple of problems. don’t recommend sodding warm season grasses this late in the season, and you’ll need to make sure you “winterize” the lawn using high potassium fert. in the next month or so. you can raise your ph with one good shot of lime- you’ll need to soil test it to see what other nutrients you need and exactly which type of lime to buy. i’m guessing you won’t have any more than 40 pounds per 1000 sq. ft. to apply ( of course depending upon what your soil test says). across the board, 40 pounds per 1000 sq. ft. should get you in the range, but it depends on what kind of soil you have.

palosf – posted 01 September 2004 08:24

So then it is OK to put down some lime with new sod? Thanks for the tip on fertilizing for the winter.

ted – posted 05 September 2004 19:55

yeah you can lime it.