New SOD in NW Arkansas

hdtvman – posted 16 June 2007 07:17

Okay Guy’s,

I just finished prepping the yard surface with 6 loads of top soil (sifted with manure) and then laid 30 pallets (16,200 sq. ft.) Bermuda. I’m currently watering about 12 hours a day.

My question is, when is the proper time to fertilize and what type of fertilizer? Also when can you safely apply weed control chemicals?

Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks,

HD

hdtvman – posted 16 June 2007 14:28

Anyone???

Nancy – posted 18 June 2007 09:12

I would go ahead and fertilize with a 16-4-8 now and wait until the seed has a pretty good stand before using any chemicals..this is just my advice..

seed – posted 18 June 2007 22:02

I would go slow on fertilizer, let it root first. Especially, with that manure you should have plenty of nitrogen, depending on the quality of manure. Also, you are watering too much.

Regarding herbicides, do you expect weeds? If there are no weeds, then why would you treat?

Phil

hdtvman – posted 22 June 2007 06:57

Phil –

I noticed some crab grass. How much sould you water a newly soded lawn? It’s now been one week and I have about 2 inchs of growth. But it’s way to wet to enev think about watering!!!

I was thinking of letting it dry out for 5-7 days..

Thanks,

HD

seed – posted 22 June 2007 20:55

There is no universally accepted frequency for irrigating new sod. In my opinion based on experience in Florida one watering per day is adequate for new sod, to keep the soil underneath the sod damp. Any day that it rains appreciably, 1/2 inch or more, the watering can be skipped. Other people recommend water new sod twice per day.

Once sod is well rooted, 1-2 weeks after planting, and it cannot be pulled up by hand, in my opinion you can begin to water twice per week, depending on local regulations.

Phil

hdtvman – posted 24 June 2007 18:02

Phil –

Thanks!!!!!