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New st Augustine sod progress and watering

1.8K views 13 replies 4 participants last post by  Hsnmd95  
#1 ·
Hi y’all, had st Augustine sod put down about 6 days ago. It feels like it’s getting adequate water and feels like it’s starting to get roots in the soil via the gentle pull test. There just seems to be some brown spots that I’m wondering about in terms of will they come back ?! Should I just continue watering? Watering twice a day for 40 mins. Located in Tampa and it’s been so dry. Would love any feedback. I have attached some pictures.
 

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Discussion starter · #3 ·
You should put down a fungicide since it’s cooler weather and there is lots of water.

If roots are getting to the soil you can back off the watering some, but don’t let the soil underneath get dry. Try once a day for a day or two and see how the soil looks. Add more water as needed
Hi thanks for your feedback. I will go ahead and put down some fungacide. Do you think these brown spots will come back/get green again? Is it just part of the process?
 

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Discussion starter · #7 ·
If you didn't put any down before the sod was installed you could do it now. I honestly would just do Nitrogen from either Urea or Ammonium Sulfate. Get it down before your fertilizer black out days start. Go lightly, like maybe .25lb N/1000sf. Most times you can just mix it with any fungicides you are putting down.
Thank you! Looking back here it looks like they applied some general grass fertilizer. Do you think I should try to add some nitrogen from urea or ammonium sulfate still?
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
I usually wait until the watering need is minimal since the sod and ground will be very wet otherwise. My ZTR weighs just under 1300# without me on so it would tear up the sod.

I assumed you have backed off to only once a day or more likely every other day with the water.

Walk on it and see how mushy it is before attempting to mow
Thanks for the input it’s somewhat mushy however the roots are definitely making their way into the ground I’m still watering twice a day. I tried to back off slightly but even with both watering it becomes dry during the day. The front yard gets sun all day and we have not had rain in a month plus. Today was the first drizzle we had. Water is very expensive in Hillsborough county so I'd like to back off too lol is it better to bag or mulch it? I sprinkled some black kow on some of the brown bald spots