When laying sod on new lawns,do you use any fertalizer before laying?

Question

Thanks to all who answerd. All gave the same answer.

Answer 1

NO!  If you do so, it will burn the roots.  You only want to fertilize after the roots have established well.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Generally no. If you do, do not use anything with a weed killer in it. Some people will put down lime in advance if the soil is heavy clay... but do not lay the sod directly on it, rather, water it in and wait a week or two. There are products out there for newly sodded yards. One, by Fertilome, is called simply New Lawn Starter.

But it's been my experience to hold off on fertilzing until the sod has taken root so that you can no longer pick it up. Even then, use something mild.

The absolute most important thing about newly lain sod it to keep it well watered!

Answer 3

Yes!

Always use a starter fertilizer when you plant ANYTHING!  By "starter" fertilizer, I'm referring to a fertilizer analysis that is:

1. low in Nitrogen (N)-you don't want to encourage vegetative growth as much as you want to encourage good, deep, healthly roots.

2. Moderate to high in Phosphorus (P).  Phosphorus plays a huge part in plant rooting as well as flowering.  

3. Moderate to high in Potassium (K).  Potassium plays a big role in normal plant processes (cellular level); it also helps plants resist disease, drought, and stress.  Great for summer heat stress.

Most fertilizers have 3 numbers written on the bag:

(N-P-K)  in that order. Therefore, a "starter" fertilizer woul be something like:



6-20-20  which would indicate the fertilizer contains 6% Nitrogen, 20% Phosphorus, & 20% Potassium.  

In the fall, you will want to use more Nitrogen.  Perhaps a

15-15-15 or "complete" fertilizer would do.  

Anyways, the answer is YES, all plant,even new sod, needs some nutrients in order to grow.  If you are worried about burning the roots, it is always a good idea to pre-wet and fertilize the area being sodded a day or two before laying the sod. This will incorporate (slightly) the fertilizer into the soil.  

Remember that you'll need to water newly layed sod about 3-4 times per day!!!!  

6-20-20 is the stuff for seeding a sodding lawns.  

Turfdoc

Answer 4

no all i did was put some top soil underneath it and it grew perfectly

Answer 5

no....and dont put any on for a month....when my landscaper does a house for me he comes back in 30 days and does a light dusting.......water everyday...

lic. gen. contractor