Best season
March through June gives roots time to establish before the wettest and hottest weeks. Fall (October–November) is a good second window. Avoid laying sod right before a freeze.
First 30 days
Keep new sod from drying out for roughly the first 10 days, with brief, frequent watering for the first few weeks if your utility allows it, then cut back. During a water shortage order the allowances are tighter, so check the rules for your address first. Do not mow until the sod resists a gentle tug. See our guide on how often to water new sod.
Common mistakes
Laying sod over compacted builder fill, skipping the irrigation audit, and fertilizing too early are the top causes of new-sod failure in Davenport and Lakeland new builds.
