Watering Instructions
Sod
Watering Sequence: Your new turf should be watered at least every day after installation for the next 2-3 weeks (until it roots). In extremely hot weather (above 90 degrees) it may be necessary to water the sod twice daily. Once the sod takes root, the turf should be watered following normal practices; at least 1” of water per week per week. During hot or dry spells, you must water more frequently. Always check the sod before watering–excessive water can
rot the sod.
Amount to Water: Wet the soil to a depth of 3 to 4 inches. You must wet the soil thoroughly. Light watering that merely dampens the grass is of little benefit and can actually harm your lawn. It will take approximately 2 to 3 weeks for the root system to start to establish. It will take much longer for the root system to establish itself deep enough to protect the turf from heat
and dry periods.
Best Time: Early morning watering is ideal. Midday watering, when the weather is hot and dry, can waste water due to excessive evaporation. Evening watering tends to promote disease problems. Keep in mind, the key to effective watering is to give your lawn enough moisture to reach the deep roots of the grass plants.
One More Tip: Do not mow the lawn for approximately 2 weeks and keep lawn traffic to a minimum. Resume normal mowing practices once the sod takes root. Mowing height should be approximately 3”-3-1/2”. Do not remove more than 1/3 of the blade in single cut. This will help prevent stress and keep your turf green.
NOTE: SOD IS HIGHLY PERISHIBLE! THE SOD IS NOT COVERED BY NORMAL PLANT
WARRANTIES. WATERING IS VERY IMPORTANT.
New Grass Seed
The simplest rule of thumb is to keep it moist all the time.
The best advice for watering new grass seed is both simple and complicated.
You only get one chance to germinate seeds correctly.
Not enough water will kill the sprout.
Too much water can leave less than ideal results.
Watering New Grass Seed
All seeds require moisture and a certain temperature range before they begin to germinate. Once the germination process has begun, if conditions change, the seed or new sprout is vulnerable and can die.
If the seed or sprout dries out, it dies out. You must provide adequate moisture at all times. The pre-sprout phase is most critical. Your commitment to watering new grass seed must stay strong. The germination time for grass seed ranges from 5 to 30 days depending on the variety.
This is how long it will take to actually see the grass growing. Until this point, the seed, or the soil and mulch in contact with the seed, must stay moist. It doesn’t need to be soggy or swimming, but moist.
Once the new grass is visible, the roots are also growing down into the soil. This happens quite quickly. As soil moisture below ground is more accessible to the roots, the plant is not so vulnerable now. However, don’t reduce the amount of watering on new grass seeds yet.
Seeds will not sprout all at the same time. Seeds will be buried at different depths, absorb water differently, or be of different quality or maturity. The seed mixtures Elite uses are blends that will have different characteristics affecting their development. It is important to keep the surface level of soil constantly moist until all seeds have germinated.
Until the planted area is densely showing green growth, don’t allow it to dry out. The
percentage of seed germination is in your control.
Plants
Watering Sequence: All shrubs & trees should be watered on Days 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 after installation; then every 5th day thereafter unless it rains at least 1 inch.
When severe hot weather exists, watering more than once a week may be required. It can take up to one or two years for a shrub or tree to become established.
Amount To Water:
Shrubs—No less than 1/2 minute per plant or until run-off. It is always best to split this time up… go 15-20 seconds…wait allow the water to soak in… and go another 15-20 seconds.
Trees—No less than 1 minute per plant or until run-off. It is always best to split this time up… go 60-90 seconds…wait allow the water to soak in… and go another 60-90 seconds… water until it runs out around the
edges of the root ball.
Transplanted Trees & Shrubs—A replaced tree or shrub will require the watering sequence & amount as required for NEW plantings.
***DO NOT DEPEND ON SPRINKLER SYSTEMS OR MOTHER NATURE. WATER BY HAND WHEN PLANTS ARE NEW***
Signs of under-watering:
• Soil is dry
• Older leaves turn yellow or brown and fall off
• Leaves are wilted
• Leaves Curl
Signs of over watering:
• Soil is constantly damp
• Leaves turn a lighter shade of green or turn yellow
• Young shoots are wilted
• Leaves are green yet brittle
• Algae and mushrooms are growing
**ALWAYS CHECK THE ROOTBALL AND PLANT FOR MOISTURE BEFORE WATERING **