I just had Saint Augustine Palmetto grass installed over layer of a fungal compost. What are some care and maintenance tips I should be following?

I have read an article online that says no more than 1 inch of water per week but I'm not sure if that's for newly installed Palmetto or a already established lawn.

Well, not what I was told and it's beside the issue at this point.

I would love a link or insight into Neil Sperry's recommendations. I know who he is but not his direct information on how to care for newly installed Palmetto grass. I realize it not all that different than any other Saint Augustine grass, but my concern is this being newly installed.

I have a rain point timer gauge 2 zone water timer installed on my outdoor spigot and I have rain measuring cups placed all around the backyard.

My first question is do I need to water it every morning as I have it scheduled at five in the morning for a 45 minute cycle. Do I also need to water it at night say 8 PM?

How many inches of water is too much? How many inches is not enough? What are concerns right now as we are not receiving any rainfall? Do I need to apply some kind of fertilizer?

Can't really tell you how long to water it without knowing what kind of sprinklers you're running. But new sod in this heat I'd water at least twice a day and probably enough to get 1/4 to 1/2 inch down every day. I mean water the heck out of it. Keep it wet and do not let it dry out. Once established it'll likely survive these droughts, but brand new it's gotta be kept wet.

Ronniecoleman30 said:

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Keep it wet for at least two weeks, once the roots take you can cut back on watering.

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This. Fertilizer is likely not necessary at this point as it would remain in the clay layer or the sod. Assuming that the sod is the typical heavy clay based stuff. Now if you have some good sandy based stuff, Fertilizer could help push the roots. Otherwise, water the heck out of it. Check your local ET rates and then add .1" and that would be a good starting point for your daily irrigation rate.

When it's freshly laid, you need to keep it solidly wet for 2-3 weeks. That means 2X per day this time of year, and by 2X, I mean a solid soaking 2X. I've sodded st aug a few times in the summer, and I would always hit it with the hose as a follow-up just to make sure I could see it was all thoroughly wet and got good coverage.

No fertilizer. The sod farm was fertilizing the **** out of it. You will only stress the shallow root system further.

Old Tom Morris said:

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When it's freshly laid, you need to keep it solidly wet for 2-3 weeks. That means 2X per day this time of year, and by 2X, I mean a solid soaking 2X. I've sodded st aug a few times in the summer, and I would always hit it with the hose as a follow-up just to make sure I could see it was all thoroughly wet and got good coverage.

No fertilizer. The sod farm was fertilizing the **** out of it. You will only stress the shallow root system further.

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Agree 1,000%. I almost burned up 1/2 acre of St A Palmetto. The ground should be squishy wet for at least 3 weeks. Best yard I've ever had.

Use Medina +Plus on new sod. Helps break down the clay and fertilize a little. On mine I used it once a week for two months.

If worried about clay blocking any fertilizer, you can use a liquid fertilizer like Medina Hasta grow lawn that is absorbed through the blades

In year 2 I brought in a dump truck of sand and spread that over the yard to smooth out the little divets. St. A LOVES sand. I followed up with a spray on fertilizer and I had the most became even thicker.

I need to do the sand treatment. Best to do during growing season? Also need to find one of those carts for rent that spreads it.

lawless89 said:

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I need to do the sand treatment. Best to do during growing season? Also need to find one of those carts for rent that spreads it.

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Defenitely at start of growing season. At least that's what I did. It was like a major testosterone booster. This is obvious but you don't want to smother the grass but just let it fill in to all the cracks an crevices. After that is completed, mowing will be easier as well.

Watering of new grass

Watering the new grass best I can with what I got and that is above ground sprinklers, using a timer that also has a splitter to attach those 2 hoses/sprinklers.

Got some hard to get areas. Watering 45 minutes before 6 am, 25 minutes around 3 pm and again at 8 pm.

I still don't think it's enough. My watering cups are not filling up enough.

I guess I need to run the cycle longer?

I'd run it longer. If it's hard for the sprinkler to hit certain areas, which I think is normal you have to over water or "over sprinkler." It may hit that shed and run down but you just have to be sure all the grass is receiving a lot of water. It's going to be even hotter over the next 10 days (according to my weather app). It didn't look like any of your grass is real brown so that's good. If some is brown it's still alive. If it turns grey, it's dead.

I guess the video link works?

Thanks for the reply and advice.

It works