I think you are going through the same thing as me and unfortunately it won't get better in the short term. I installed my sod on May 13. I watered a lot in the first 1.5 weeks and between irrigation and rain it also got too much water in the first 3 weeks. I started noticing black spots on the grass after 2-3 weeks. Over the next week much of it started turning yellow and mushy and died. I would say only 30% of the grass survived at this time

Here is a link to my thread with some photos and suggestions:

https://thelawnforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=19520

 

Thanks @Vetrano .

After reading your thread it seems like fertilizing is the only thing to try at the moment?

 

I'm no expert, but based on the reading I have done and advice I received here and from the sod farm, stop watering and hope that the soil will dry before watering (don't let it dry to the point of the new sod starting to get drought stressed, but wait until you see signs that the soil is drying. If this happens water, but not too much as the soil may still be wet below the surface.
Also I was told to rake the dead grass and thatch as apparently the disease can be there and spread to health grass. I'm hoping the fertilizing will help, but not sure.

Good luck. I'm interested to see how your lawn turns out. If it is in a sunny location you may do better than me. Also we are probably getting less rain now than when I was at the same stage as you so that is in your favour.

 

Looks like too much water

 

@sam11i you had issues with water puddling right away before the sod was installed right? Did you ever address that?

 

@sam11i The sod definitely looks overwatered. I agree with @Vetrano to stop watering and let it dry out some but not completely. After 3 weeks with new sod you should be doing deep watering 2-3x per week not multiple times a day.

 

@sam11i The sod definitely looks overwatered. I agree with @Vetrano to stop watering and let it dry out some but not completely. After 3 weeks with new sod you should be doing deep watering 2-3x per week not multiple times a day.

^+1
It looks like you have some fungus growing. Look into some fungicide if you can get it. I would hold off on fertilizer for now. Sometimes, you can grow the lawn out of the fungus, but in other cases, fertilizer can make it worse. It depends on which fungus is attacking the lawn.

 

Thanks for all the posts.

I cut down on watering over a week ago to once every two or 3 days.

@Matix99def Good memory! Initially the garden store suggested I lay compost under the sod to help with drainage. When I went to pick up the sod the same guy said not to bother and it is not necessary. For good measure I did core aerate the the soil prior to installing the sod.

@Vetrano nit much sun in that spot. I will update you with hopefully good news.

I assumed to rake out as much as possible, I will continue to do that and look into purchasing fungicide.

Sam

 

What is the pile of grass on your sidewalk? Is that clippings after mowing that have been raked? Or just dead grass that came up from raking? If it is after mowing, the clippings look pretty long as if you let it grow very tall and then mowed off a lot at one time. Is that the case? Guessing notthe case if you use a manual reel.

 

What is the pile of grass on your sidewalk? Is that clippings after mowing that have been raked? Or just dead grass that came up from raking? If it is after mowing, the clippings look pretty long as if you let it grow very tall and then mowed off a lot at one time. Is that the case? Guessing notthe case if you use a manual reel.

The pile is from raking pretty thoroughly.

 

How much water do you generally put down each time? HVe you measured, if not I would recommend doing it. I wouldn't even water at all right now, let that dry out first. It's a bit worrisome to me, even if you aerated, I don't know if you are getting great drainage. Not sure if those roots will get too deep.