Best Practices for New Sod/Vegetation

When working with New Vegetation you typically need to water multiple times a day to make sure the soil remains moist all day. The reason is that new sod have very shallow roots. In this scenario, we would want to setup a program throughout the day for each watering session.

We would also want to disable Weather Data to ensure the ground stays moist. You can disable Weather Data from each Zone with New Vegetation or do it as a whole Program. 

We do not recommend attempting to use the Cycle/Soak as a workaround for creating multiple Programs. 

New Sod Scenario

In this scenario we will create 3 programs to simulate watering 3 times a day and can be adjusted to your own needs. 
Important

- You need to disable "Use Weather Data" and "Seasonal Adjustments" on each zone with new vegetation until it has become established. 
- Watering duration varies, different types of sod, different types of soil and different temperatures.
- Remember the key is to KEEP IT MOIST, NOT SOAKED. Too much water causes algae and fungus.
- Once Established you will want to Disable/Delete the additional programs. 

Program 1

Name: New Sod Morning

Frequency - Daily

Start time - 6:00 AM

Adjust watering times based on weather? - Off

Zones - Select New Sod Zones and Watering Duration

Duration varies as mentioned above but the average seems to be 20 to 30 mins on the first cycle.
*These times are just average times, please follow what your gardener recommends you*

Program 2

Name: New Sod Afternoon

Frequency - Daily

Start time - 12:00 PM

Adjust watering times based on weather? - Off

Zones - Select New Sod Zones and Watering Duration

Duration on the 2nd Watering cycle you just want to keep the Zone moist this tends to be shorter watering time. Typically 10 to 20 mins since you do not want it soak, you just want it moist. In some areas it could be really hot and evaporation rate is high. Please make a good judgement when it comes to duration time.
*Times vary please follow what your gardener recommends you*

Program 3

Name: New Sod Evening

Frequency - Daily

Start time - 6:00 PM

Adjust watering times based on weather? - Off

Zones - Select New Sod Zones and Watering Duration 

Duration on the 3rd Watering cycle will also be shorter, around this time it is already cold outside and evaporation rate is lower however it will go un-watered overnight so 10 to 20 minutes is the average for this last watering cycle for the day.
*Times vary please follow what your gardener recommends you*

These programs are not permanent they have to be deleted once New Sods are established. Different Sods have different times, however the average seems to be 3 to 6 weeks for Sod to be established.