Newly laid sod can look yellow and dull for the first couple of days and it can really get on your nerves. For the first few days, most people start to believe that the sod they have installed on their lawn is officially dead. But nothing can be further from the truth. For the first few days, the newly laid turf may look kinda rough and sad but give it a couple of days, and the roots of the grass will start doing their magic. In most cases, new turf has to go through a lot. It is commonly known as transplant shock.
The roots face all sorts of troubles during this transplant stage. They get sliced at the farm and they get hauled in the heat while stacked on pallets, only to be laid onto new soil and therefore, you need to give them some leeway so that they can get their mojo back. So, technically it is kinda normal for the top blades of the grass to turn yellow and sometimes, you might even notice dried edges and but this all part of the entire sod installation process.
The First Impression Problem, Color Lies To You
Color is most definitely one of the most prominent clues to how well the newly installed sod is faring but sometimes, it can also send the wrong cues. For example, new Bermuda grass sod may appear dead and dull for a week or something but give it few more days and it will spring a surprise. Bermuda grass is known for its amazing resilience and therefore, don’t be surprised if you see your lawn changing its color from gray to bright green in a matter of a few days once the roots start taking hold in the soil.
You need to be a bit careful with St. Augustine sod though. Make sure that the watering is not uneven no matter what because in that case, your lawn will start showing yellow patches sooner than what you could have probably anticipated.
Zoysia sod is kinda lazy and it takes a lot of time to wake up from its slumber after it is transported from one place to another. So, sometimes you might assume that the sod is gone for good but the reality is Zoysia is just taking its time to catch its breath and settle back in.
Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue are known for their ability to survive in cold weather but they hate the Texas heat and therefore, you need to be extra careful while installing them on your lawn on a hot and humid day.
What “Dead” Sod Actually Looks Like?
Just because the sod has turned yellow it does not mean that it is already dead. You need to lift a corner of your lawn and check how the underside is looking. Is it damp and cool? Well, in that case, you are in luck. Cool and damp underneath means the sod is not dead yet. It needs a little bit of care and it will bounce back with full life force. However, dusty and dry underneath mean something has gone wrong with your sod.
The blades of dead sod tend to break like dry matchsticks and the soil underneath smells like dry cardboard. However, sometimes the underneath of sod can smell swampy and that means, it has long been dead.
The Tug Test
Always remember this – if it works, it ain’t stupid. The same principle applies to the Tug test. Try to grab the corner of a piece of sod and give it a gentle pull. If it comes up easily, it means the roots have not grabbed the soil properly yet. However, if the sod sticks firmly to the ground, it means that the roots are bonding perfectly. That said, you need to conduct this tug test in different places and not just in those places that look dried out because you never know what ungodly thing is going on underground.
When you should stop hoping and start replacing patches
If the sod still looks dull and is not firming in places after 2 or 3 weeks, it means something sinister is going on underground. Crispy underfoot and loose edges are some of the classic signs of sod in distress. If you find the crows have turned mushy and brown, it means the sod has reached a point of no return and recovery is highly unlikely. At this point of time, you need to shift your attention to patching instead of watering your lawn like a maniac and hoping for a miracle.
