I planted sod and its turning yellow, what do i do?

Question

I planted sod (Fesque) in my front lawn last weekend. I live in Fresno, CA and the temperature here is 100 Highest this week and 96 Highest next week. I know I should have waited a month or two. However, I am watering the grass (Fesque) in the following order:

4 AM for 5 min

5 AM for 5 min

6 AM for 5min

10 AM for 6 min

2 PM for 6 min

5 PM for 6 min

6 PM for 5 min

7:30 PM for 5 min

The gaps where the sod meets is turning a little yellow and some blades seems to turn yellow as well. However the grass as a whole looks green.

Questions:

1. What can I do to keep it green?

2. How often should I be watering?

3. When should I add fertilizer and which fertilizer?

I appreciate any help. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Did you pay for installation or did you do yourself?  Don't matter.  An installer would have said to water it!

Take that time of 28 minutes and give it all before 6 or 7 AM you're just wasting your water because it's not getting enough to drink at one time. The reason for watering so early is to let the grass drink it instead of the sun evaporating  it.   Early morning is also when there is less wind and less chance of evaporation.

PS use the time below for  more watering of the  28 extra minutes

Don't water during the times below.

10 AM for 6 min

2 PM for 6 min

5 PM for 6 min

6 PM for 5 min

7:30 PM for 5 min

Answer 2

First of all water deeply not as often so the roots will go deeper. You can also add epsom salts to a hose sprayer and spray once a week. Fescue is really a cool weather or shade grass but you may be ok with it once you get established

Answer 3

some grasses go to sleep in times of stress and turn yellow then when the climat is better they rebound and green up again. Don't lose hope.

Answer 4

1. What can I do to keep it green? Water

2. How often should I be watering? 30 minutes at 4AM is sufficient enough. it is much better if you installed an automatic sprinkler as well.

3. When should I add fertilizer and which fertilizer? Do not worry about this for now. do this later around late october or early november then again in late march or early April.

The gaps where the sod meets will turn yellow is normal for a newly installed sod. No worries here...