All grass needs nutrients to improve growth and health, but the needs of new sod and established grass are slightly different. Fertilizer with high levels of phosphorus are best for new sod.
Phosphorus is an excellent nutrient for new sod as it helps the grass establish a good rooting system. Your new sod will have to grow roots to connect with the soil underneath.
It’s also beneficial to provide new sod with potassium, as this nutrient can help your new lawn become more drought-resistant and less prone to disease. Potassium also makes grasses hardier and more able to cope with the cold.
Many fertilizers designed for use on new sod will also include carbon which helps to improve the overall health of your soil.
Nitrogen and iron (you can also add Ironite for even more iron) are also included in smaller amounts as these help keep your lawn green and healthy.
The Best Fertilizer for New Sod
You can apply the right kind of fertilizer to your new sod on the day of installation. It’s a good idea to choose a fertilizer that’s been specifically designed for new sod, and that contains phosphorus, potassium, and carbon to feed your new lawn.
Most lawn fertilizers contain high levels of nitrogen, but these aren’t suitable for new sod. Check out these two great products options; they’ll help your new lawn to have a healthy start in life!
Scotts Turf Builder Starter Food for New Grass
Scotts turf builder is the perfect starter food for new sodas; it helps the grass establish itself and grow a robust root system. Grass will grow up to 70% thicker and 35% quicker with this product than if it was left unfed.
Scotts Turf builder provides the correct nutrients to sod, new grass, and growing seeds. It can be used for all types of warm-season and cool-season grasses and is excellent for planting new grass or if you’re re-seeding your lawn. Just one pack of Scotts Turf Builder starter food will cover a yard of 5,000 sq. ft.
- It helps homeowners create a lawn with a thick, green appearance.
- Covers 5000 sq. ft.
- Great starter food for new sod
- Can also be used to fertilize areas that have been overseeded
- Encourages quick growth
- Not available for sale in Pinellas County, FL
Pennington UltraGreen Starter Lawn Fertilizer
Pennington’s UlteaGreen starter lawn fertilizer is an excellent product that encourages new growth in sod that’s just been installed.
This product can help you create the lawn of your dreams that’s thick, green, and healthy-looking. This fertilizer can be used with grass seeds or sod and is beneficial for areas that have been overseeded.
It helps to builds a strong and deep rooting system and allows the lawn to establish itself quicker. This product is excellent for all types of grass, including warm and cool-season varieties. It can be used for up to three months and contains 5% iron, contributing to a healthy lawn.
- Helps grass green up quickly
- Can be used for up to 3 months
- Creates a thick, green, and healthy lawn
- Contains 5% Iron
- Can cover an area of 5000 sq. ft.
- Suitable for all types of grass
Things to Consider When Buying Fertilizer for New Sod
All grass needs nutrients to improve growth and health, but the needs of new sod and established grass are slightly different. Fertilizers with high levels of phosphorus are best for new sod. You wouldn’t want use something like 5 10 10 fertilizer for new sod.
Phosphorus is an excellent nutrient for new sod as it helps the grass establish a good rooting system. Your new sod will have to grow roots to connect with the soil underneath.
It’s also beneficial to provide new sod with potassium, as this nutrient can help your new lawn become more drought-resistant and less prone to disease. Potassium also makes grasses hardier and more able to cope with the cold.
Many fertilizers designed for use on new sod will also include carbon which helps to improve the overall health of your soil. Nitrogen and iron are also included in smaller amounts as these help keep your lawn green and healthy.
Conclusion
When choosing the best fertilizer for new sod, it’s best to choose a product that’s been specifically designed for sod that’s just been installed. New sod has different nutrient needs than grass which is well established.
The above fertilizers are great for new sod and will help you to create an environment for your grass to grow in successfully. Newly installed sod requires more than nitrogen, and iron, phosphorus, potassium, and carbon are generally added to new sod fertilizer.