TIPS FROM THE PROS

• Newly planted trees and shrubs need regular and consistent watering until root systems established.
• Root systems of trees and shrubs, whether bare root, balled and burlapped, or in a container, are severely reduced or restricted.
• After planting, root systems will grow and establish until they are much wider than the above ground portion of the plant.

• When watering newly planted trees, apply 1-1.5 gallons per inch of stem caliper at each watering.
• When watering newly planted shrubs, apply a volume of water that is 1/4 - 1/3 of the volume of the container that the shrub was purchased in.
• Water to maintain even soil moisture – keep it consistent – do not get a soaked, dry, soaked dry schedule – be consistent.
• Use your finger to check soil moisture at the root ball – if dry, water!

Keep the lawn moist at all times with frequent light sprinklings. The watering process should be repeated three times a day during the hottest months of the year, 80°plus, at approximately 8 AM, 11 AM and 2 PM (early, mid-morning and early afternoon), every day. A fourth watering may be added if necessary. DON’T LET THE LAWN DRY OUT! The key is to KEEP IT MOIST, NOT SOAKED. Too much water causes algae and fungus.

• DAY 1: Keep new sod "wet like a sponge until roots form and you can hardly pull it up.Water your lawn immediately after installion for about 45- 60 minutes depending on how hot it is outside.You will water your lawn two more times that same day. These times for only 15-20 minutes each approximately. Please be sure that your water is being fully absorbed by the lawn and is not soggy wet. 
• DAY 2 and the Following Two Weeks: You will be watering your Sod Lawn two times per day for 15-20 minutes. Our recommended times are 8:00am and 1pm.
• AFTER 2 WEEKS: shut off your water for 1-2 days and let your SOIL dry out so that you can walk on it. You do not want to sink into the ground. Peel back a corner of your new sod and touch the ground underneath. If the ground is moist/wet, then no need to water. If the ground is dry, then start watering again twice per day. As you keep peeling up a corner (check different corners each time), you'll start to see white roots and it will get harder and harder to pull up a corner. When you can no longer pull up a corner, it's time to ease up on watering. Over the next several weeks gradually wean off the intense watering. 

After you have let your soil absorb all the water for 1-2 days you may now mow your new sod lawn at the highest setting. Do not mow too often or short as heat can scorch the roots.