Maintenance & Aftercare
5 questions-
The first 3–4 weeks are critical. Here's what to do:
- Water immediately after installation — sod should be wet to the soil beneath
- Water daily (or twice daily in heat) for the first 2 weeks, keeping the sod consistently moist
- Stay off the sod for the first 2 weeks to let roots establish
- Reduce watering gradually in weeks 3–4 as roots knit into the soil
- First mow: Wait until the sod cannot be lifted by hand — typically 2–3 weeks
Edmonton's clay soils can dry out quickly on the surface while staying saturated beneath — check soil moisture 2–3cm down before assuming it needs water.
NOTE: If you see yellow in your grass, it does not mean your sod is dead. It means you need to water more and consistently until roots are established.
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Wait until the grass has reached about 8–10cm (3–4 inches) tall and the sod is firmly rooted — you'll know it's ready when you can't lift a corner of the sod by hand. This is typically 2–3 weeks after installation.
Set your mower to a high setting for the first cut. Never remove more than one-third of the grass blade at once, and make sure your mower blade is sharp to avoid tearing the new roots.
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We stand behind our workmanship. Specific warranty terms are outlined in your project agreement and vary by service type. Sod establishment is heavily dependent on watering — sod that dries out due to insufficient watering after installation is not covered. We provide detailed aftercare instructions with every project.
If something isn't right with the work we performed, contact us directly and we'll make it right.
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Winterizing (blow-out) must be done before the first hard frost — in Edmonton, that typically means late September to mid-October. The process involves using compressed air to purge all water from the lines and heads to prevent freeze damage.
Do not skip this step. A cracked pipe or burst zone head from a frozen line is an expensive repair in spring.
We recommend having a professional do the blow-out — the pressure requirements vary by system, and improper technique can damage components.
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Brown patches on new sod are usually one of three things:
- Underwatering: The most common cause. Check the soil 2–3cm down — if it's dry, water more frequently.
- Overwatering: Constantly soggy soil causes root rot. If the sod smells musty or feels slimy underneath, reduce watering and improve drainage.
- Edges and seams drying out: Sod edges lose moisture faster. Pay extra attention to the perimeter and seam lines.
If patches aren't recovering after adjusting your watering schedule, contact us and we'll take a look.