Initial watering problems

[pyldrvr]

Hello I just recently planted midiron sod in my back yard approximately 23X18 so its not a big area. The problem i am having is multiple oppinions on watering. Some people say water lawn using tuna cans til 1/2 full 4X a day and others say water until you just see it start to puddle 3X a day and some even say they water real heavy in morning. Does anyone have a better suggestion because the yard isnt 100% level do to the flood design made for back yard (like we ever get floods anyway) but I dont want to kill it just water enough to make it grow nice. Does sod go through a shock phase cause I have some small drying spots in the level areas or is that too much water from puddleing...PLEASE help.

Thx,
Ron

[Smallaxe]

Alot of 'Rule of Thumb' advice is to general. Understanding what you need to know is critical.

What kind of soil is under the sod? If you water in the morning after the dew is off and the turf is drying out - How long b4 it is dry again?

If the soil is impervious 1/2", 4X per day will ensure the roots will drown. Too impervious, the roots will dry. The top, drying bit, is fine as long as the roots are moist.

The only one that can tell you what to do for your sod in your environment and soil conditions is the one that lifts up the sod and investigates what's happening.

[Kiril]

Some people say water lawn using tuna cans til 1/2 full 4X a day

Those people are don't know what they are talking about.

and others say water until you just see it start to puddle 3X a day

And neither do these people.

and some even say they water real heavy in morning.

Or these people.

Does anyone have a better suggestion because the yard isnt 100% level do to the flood design made for back yard (like we ever get floods anyway) but I dont want to kill it just water enough to make it grow nice.

Bingo! Water to keep the sod moist not wet. How much depends on many factors, but primarily how effective your irrigation system is. If your using sprays that are more or less effectively covering the entire area evenly, with temps in the mid to low 80's you should only need to water 5 minutes twice a day (say 11am and 3 am). If you are using rotors you will need to bump the run time up to between 10-15 min in most cases.

Even this much in a clay type soil will lead to saturated conditions. If you are watering a soil with a high percentage of sand, then you might need to add a third run time onto that.

If you are still unsure, the best way to determine for your sod is to start with the 5 minutes and monitor the edges of the sod for drying. Increase or decrease the run times as needed.

At NO point should you EVER have standing water.

[pyldrvr]

I appreciate all the advice you have given me. I live in Arizona and the temperatures are still in the 100 degree area so if I am understanding correctly I should only water 2x a day and water til grass/sod is moist with no puddles. If water puddles then I have to much water and should water less time but maybe add watering times.

TY again
Ron

[Kiril]

I appreciate all the advice you have given me. I live in Arizona and the temperatures are still in the 100 degree area so if I am understanding correctly I should only water 2x a day and water til grass/sod is moist with no puddles. If water puddles then I have to much water and should water less time but maybe add watering times.

TY again
Ron

At a 100 degrees, you will probably need to water 4 times a day at the suggested run times (10am, 1am, 4am, 7am). You need to keep it moist without getting it too wet.