To properly water new sod and ensure healthy root development, follow this general schedule: First 1-2 Weeks: Keep Sod Constantly Moist

• Water new sod 2 to 4 times daily, especially in hot weather, to keep the top inch of soil consistently moist but not soggy.
• Each watering session should last about 10 to 20 minutes, depending on your irrigation system.
• Avoid puddling or runoff by using shorter, frequent watering cycles if needed.
• Best watering times are early morning and mid-afternoon; avoid late evening watering to prevent fungal diseases.
• The goal is to keep the sod moist so roots can establish, but not oversaturated to avoid root rot

Weeks 3-4: Transition to Deeper, Less Frequent Watering

• Reduce watering frequency to once daily or every other day.
• Increase watering duration to 30-40 minutes per session to encourage roots to grow deeper into the soil (3-4 inches deep).
• You should start to see resistance when gently tugging on sod edges, indicating roots are taking hold.
• Water early in the morning for best absorption and to reduce evaporation

After 4 Weeks: Established Lawn Watering

• Water 1 to 2 times per week with deep watering sessions lasting 30-45 minutes.
• Aim to deliver about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, including rainfall.
• Adjust watering frequency seasonally: less in spring/fall, more in hot summer, minimal in winter.
• Continue to monitor soil moisture and lawn health to adjust watering as needed

In summary, newly laid sod requires frequent, shallow watering initially to keep it moist, then gradually shifts to less frequent but deeper watering to promote strong root growth and lawn establishment.