13 Most
Common
Errors
Improper Irrigation Systems–
Hand watering will not suffice! Sprinkler heads must raise above lawn level, water patterns must overlap, and timers are recommended.
Covering Sod–
Do not cover sod with plastic, shadecloth, burlap, or anything! Have sod delivered only when you are ready to install immediately. Never cover it!
Doing Preparation While Laying Sod–
Prepare at least two days in advance. You will spot uneven areas and get poor drainage.
Not Pre-Irrigating–
Water the area of installation the night before. Dry soil under new sod robs the roots of moisture.
Not Using a Roller, Twice–
Light rolling after sod is installed minimizes poor initial contact. Roll as final step in preparation and installation.
Not Watering as You Install–
After every ten pieces (50 sq. ft.), take a break, and lightly water everything you’ve installed, as you go.
Applying Fungicide. Don’t–
Do not apply fungicide to a new lawn! It is very rare that a new lawn develops fungus.
Delaying the First Mowing–
Mow for the first time in 8-12 days after installation. Waiting longer does not aid establishment.
Mowing Too Short–
Never remove more than 1/3 of the blade length in any one mowing. Check the mowing heights of the variety you’ve chosen. If your lawn gets out of hand, reduce blade length by 1/3 over a succession of mowings 5 days apart.
Heavy Traffic–
Even light foot traffic should be avoided for four weeks.
Premature Feeding–
Never feed before a lawn is one month old. Tender, new lawns do not take well to a “hot” feeding. Never feed before a lawn is one month old. Then, only feed with a mild, balanced (eg 16-16-16) time release fertilizer; not ammonium sulfate.
Improper Irrigation–
Most Important! New lawns should be watered 15-20 minutes, three times a day. 7am, 11 am, and 3 pm for the first 14 days. Subsequent watering instructions are given in this guide. Hand watering will not be sufficient. DO NOT WATER AT NIGHT!
Failure to Read, Understand, Follow, and Keep this Guide–
Read it and keep it. This guide gives you complete instructions for preparation and installation. It also advises you on changes in watering and feeding schedules and assists you in troubleshooting.
Common
Errors
Improper Irrigation Systems–
Hand watering will not suffice! Sprinkler heads must raise above lawn level, water patterns must overlap, and timers are recommended.
Covering Sod–
Do not cover sod with plastic, shadecloth, burlap, or anything! Have sod delivered only when you are ready to install immediately. Never cover it!
Doing Preparation While Laying Sod–
Prepare at least two days in advance. You will spot uneven areas and get poor drainage.
Not Pre-Irrigating–
Water the area of installation the night before. Dry soil under new sod robs the roots of moisture.
Not Using a Roller, Twice–
Light rolling after sod is installed minimizes poor initial contact. Roll as final step in preparation and installation.
Not Watering as You Install–
After every ten pieces (50 sq. ft.), take a break, and lightly water everything you’ve installed, as you go.
Applying Fungicide. Don’t–
Do not apply fungicide to a new lawn! It is very rare that a new lawn develops fungus.
Delaying the First Mowing–
Mow for the first time in 8-12 days after installation. Waiting longer does not aid establishment.
Mowing Too Short–
Never remove more than 1/3 of the blade length in any one mowing. Check the mowing heights of the variety you’ve chosen. If your lawn gets out of hand, reduce blade length by 1/3 over a succession of mowings 5 days apart.
Heavy Traffic–
Even light foot traffic should be avoided for four weeks.
Premature Feeding–
Never feed before a lawn is one month old. Tender, new lawns do not take well to a “hot” feeding. Never feed before a lawn is one month old. Then, only feed with a mild, balanced (eg 16-16-16) time release fertilizer; not ammonium sulfate.
Improper Irrigation–
Most Important! New lawns should be watered 15-20 minutes, three times a day. 7am, 11 am, and 3 pm for the first 14 days. Subsequent watering instructions are given in this guide. Hand watering will not be sufficient. DO NOT WATER AT NIGHT!
Failure to Read, Understand, Follow, and Keep this Guide–
Read it and keep it. This guide gives you complete instructions for preparation and installation. It also advises you on changes in watering and feeding schedules and assists you in troubleshooting.
Tall Grass
Obstructing Coverage
Spray Pattern Missing
edges of sidewalk
Spray Patterns are
not overlapping
BROWN PATCHES OR STRIPS
Water Deprivation
Check your sprinkler heads. They must pop up above grass level. Be certain that no tall grass is obstructing the spray. Check that spray patterns are reaching the edges of sidewalks and driveways and are overlapping. Run this test: After you flood the dry areas by hand, place teacups in both the brown areas and the lush, green areas. Now, run your irrigation system and check the volume of water being received by both areas.
Solution: Replace or adjust sprinkler heads. Hand watering these spots is a stop gap measure until the system is correct. Helpful Hint: Before you order sod, test your irrigation system when the ground is dry. This allows you to easily
spot areas that remain dry or pool up. Place several teacups throughout to compare water volume.
Poor Ground Contact
The ground underneath the sod has settled, leaving air pockets in between.
Solution: Determine that this is the cause by eliminating the possibility of water deprivation (use the teacup test). Pull back the new sod; Fill the area with clean soil. Hand water the area thoroughly. Be certain you ensure contact between sod and soil. Helpful Hint: Use a roller in the final stage of soil preparation and especially lightly roll the sod after installation.
Installation Problem
Solution: Be certain that sod edges are butted up firmly to driveway, sidewalks, and especially each other. Airspace between these can cause dry edges. If your sod is adjoining a flower bed, be certain the sod edges have soil pushed up to them and remain watered.
Helpful Hint: Always begin your installation along the edge (sidewalk, driveway, etc.) See “Installation” in this literature.
Compaction
The ground underneath is hard, and water is “sheeting” away, rather than soaking in. Solution: Pull the piece of sod back, and aerate the area by poking holes with a long handled screwdriver. Be certain to ensure contact between sod and soil. Note: On inclined property, where rapid runoff is a problem, more frequent waterings of shorter duration may be required.
YELLOW SPOTS
Pet Urination (your pet or the neighbor's pet).
IF YOU HAVE PETS, YOU WILL HAVE YELLOW SPOTS. It makes no difference if the pet is male or female.
Acidic Drip
Some trees and shrubs (especially conifer, eucalyptus, and California pepper) will cause yellowing or non-growth under the drip line.
Helpful Hint: Do not expect lawn to thrive under most trees. There is a good chance that the lawn will not receive enough sunlight anyway. Remember, a neighbor’s tree can drip and block sunlight, if it closely adjoins your property.
Pool or Spa Splash
Chlorine and chemicals will yellow your lawn. There is no remedy.