Read the Best Watering Instructions & Tips for New Sod, Plant, & Landscape Tree Installations
Help your new turf or plants thrive with the most effective watering and irrigation solutions in the Austin, TX area.
New turf and landscape planting installations need the proper amount of irrigation and watering to thrive and remain as healthy as possible. Read some of the top tips for providing the best amount of watering for your new sod or landscape plants. If you have any other questions about watering, or need irrigation services for your property, call our experts at Century Lawn and Landscape by dialing (512) 786-1694.
New Sod Installation Watering Instructions
Every irrigation system will vary on the runtime needed. It is important to check the new sod daily for adjustments.
If daytime temperatures are above 80° and below 95°:
- Set water days to every other day for the first week or two.
- Runtimes for each zone may need to be increased so water is penetrating through the sod and into the soil below, but only needs to soak about 1” into the soil layer.
- Check soil and sod on days in-between watering days. If soil is heavily saturated, then it is time to back off runtime or watering days.
- After the first week check to see if you can easily lift a piece of sod out of the ground. If you can continue on the watering schedule for one more week. If the sod appears to be well rooted in, then adjust watering to your normal weekly schedule.
If daytime temperatures are 79° or below:
- Set water days to three to four days per week.
- Runtimes for each zone may need to be increased so water is penetrating through the sod and into the soil below, but only needs to soak about 1” into the soil layer.
- Check soil and sod on days in-between watering days. If soil is heavily saturated, then it is time to back off runtime or watering days.
- After the first week adjust watering to two days per week and resume normal runtimes.
If daytime temperatures are 96° or above:
- Set water days to run every day.
- May need to set multiple runtimes per day and have them run in the early afternoon to help cool off the turf.
- Runtimes for each zone may need to be increased so water is penetrating through the sod and into the soil below, but only needs to soak about 1” into the soil layer.
- Check sod daily to see if any adjustments need to be made.
- After the first week adjust system to run every other day.
- After week two, adjust to water three days per week and then can be returned to a normal watering schedule.
- May need to alter the schedule if the temperatures or the wind are extreme. It is very important to check the sod every day for a healthy grow-in.
Water districts allow a 30 or 60 day grow-in exemption for watering outside of restrictions while your turf becomes established.
New Plant & Tree Watering Instructions
Every irrigation system will vary on the runtime needed. It is important to check the new plants and trees daily for adjustments.
New Plants with Daytime Temperatures 89° or Below:
- Water three days per week and make sure the irrigation is soaking the entire root zone and depth of the new plants.
- Check the plants on the days that irrigation is not watering and make sure the soil is drying out before the next cycle runs.
- Over watering will kill plants faster than under watering.
- Runtimes will vary greatly depending on type of irrigation and nozzle selection. It’s important to check the plants and soil for proper runtimes.
- After two weeks on this schedule reduce days of watering down to twice per week.
New Plants with Daytime Temperatures 90° or above:
- Water every other day and make sure irrigation is soaking the entire root zone and depth of the new plants.
- Check the plants on the days that irrigation is not watering and make sure the soil is drying out before the next cycle runs.
- Over watering will kill plants faster than under watering.
- Runtimes will vary greatly depending on type of irrigation and nozzle selection. It’s important to check the plants and soil for proper runtimes.
- After the first week reduce days of watering to three times per week.
- After the second week reduce watering to two days per week.
New Trees:
- Water new trees three times per week for the first 12 months.
- It is very important to make sure the soil dries out in between waterings.
- Over watering can kill trees very quickly.
- Make sure to soak the entire root ball during the watering cycle.
- If soil is staying wet in between irrigation cycles, then adjust runtimes or days so the soil will have some dry time.
- Runtimes will vary depending on the type of irrigation emitter.
Water districts allow a 30 or 60 day grow-in exemption for watering outside of restrictions while your plants become established and trees that have their own irrigation are exempt at all times.
Need Help with Sod Installations, Landscape Plantings, or Irrigation Services? Call the Top Lawn & Landscape Team in the Austin, TX Area.
We have 9 years of experience providing some of the most beautiful and healthy lawns and landscapes in Austin, Bee Cave, Cedar Park, and other nearby areas in Texas. Call (512) 786-1694 to talk to our experts and get a quote for the 5-star lawn and landscape solutions you're looking for.
