Watering 
Newly planted sod should be kept saturated at all times until it has grown into the existing soil.  New sod should be soaked every day for the first week.  After the first week, watering can be reduced to three times a week until it is established.  Longer soakings will promote root growth down into the existing soil.

The sod is established when you can pull on it and the roots have grown into the soil base.  At this point, you can reduce watering to approximately 1” of water weekly.  In hot and dry conditions, you will need to increase watering.

Mowing
Sod can be mowed when areas have grown to 3” high.  The optimum mowing height for an established lawn is 2¾ - 3” for a high quality lawn.  Mow regularly with a sharp rotary or reel mower, never removing more than 1/3 of the shoot growth at one mowing.

As with seeded lawns, we recommend leaving the grass clippings from frequent mowing on the ground.  The leftover clippings help create a thatch layer over the soil that will add nutrients to the soil, protect the roots from drying out, and prevent erosion.  If the grass is exceptionally long, pick up the grass clippings to prevent molding.  If you plan to thatch your lawn, early fall is the best time for this.

Fertilizing 
On a sodded lawn, a weed and feed fertilizer can be used eight weeks after the sod has been laid. 

Fertilizer can typically be applied every eight weeks, depending on weather conditions.  In general, spring and fall are the best times to fertilize.  Always avoid fertilizing in hot or dry conditions that would cause the lawn to burn out.   Use a complete fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphate and potassium.  Applying approximately 1 lb of nitrogen per 1000 square feet of lawn, 2-4 times a year is adequate.  You should always water the lawn thoroughly after fertilization.