Best Fertilizer For New Sod – The Best Way To Fertilize New Sod In 2024

#1. Scotts Starter Food for New Grass – The ultimate solution to fertilize new sod

If you are looking for the best fertilizer for new sod, we highly recommend Scotts Starter Food for New Grass.

This is a great product. Just need to apply fertilizer as recommended in the instructions. It will first help new sod grow and then prevents weeds and unwanted crabgrass from forming.

It tends to work better than other brands and it is Scotts after all, so it is a very reliable brand.

Click here for more information

Is it alright to put fertilizer on new sod?

When it comes to newly installed sod, many gardeners wonder if they should apply fertilizer. The answer is yes – fertilizer can help promote new growth in newly installed sod and ensure that your lawn looks its best.

Fertilizer helps provide the nutrients needed for healthy root development and strong, lush grass blades. It’s important to choose a fertilizer specifically formulated for new sod so you don’t burn or damage the delicate new roots.

Additionally, make sure to water your lawn thoroughly before applying the product so you don’t accidentally dry out the soil or cause salt buildup which can kill off young roots.

Once your new sod has been established, it’s important to continue regular fertilization throughout the year in order to maintain healthy growth and keep your lawn looking its best.

Best Fertilizer For New Sod and New Lawn

 

#1. Scotts Turf Builder Starter Food for New Grass, 15 lb. – Lawn Fertilizer for Newly Planted Grass, Also Great for Sod and Grass Plugs – Covers 5,000 sq. ft.

For those who want the best fertilizer for new sod, we have to give it to the Scotts Starter Food for New Grass. Scotts is a brand that has been around for a while and they certainly make a very quality product.

Perhaps the standout feature is the fact that it is a nice 2-in-1. So it not only feeds new grass and sod, but also it prevents crabgrass and other weeds from forming for up to 6 weeks.

We really like Scotts Starter Food because it simply works better than most other brands. It will make new grass grow quicker and thicker than most of the other brands on the market.

Also, it is very forgiving on your lawn and will do a decent job of preventing weeds from growing. Scotts is definitely a name brand that you can count on.

Click here for more information

 

#2. Scotts Liquid Turf Builder Lawn Food, 32 fl. oz. – For Grass and New Sod

Next up, we have the Scotts Liquid Turf Builder Lawn Food, which is the best fertilizer for new sod if you want something that is eco-friendly and easy to apply.

This is a 2 in 1 fertilizer from a reputable company. It feeds and greens while watering your lawn (that’s what 2 in 1 means). Perhaps the standout feature is that most of this fertilizer will be absorbed instead of running off.

All you need to do is to apply this stuff to the soil prior to planting and the sod after laying.

It covers up to 2,000 square feet. You just need to shake well before using. Connect a sprayer to the hose and turn on your water supply.

The N-P-K ratio is the percentage the product contains by volume of nitrogen (chemical symbol N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). In this case, the N-P-K is a 29-0-3 fertilizer. This means it contains 29% nitrogen, 0% phosphorus, and 3% potassium. You now have the secret formula for making your sod grow faster. Plenty of nitrogen, no phosphorous, and a little bit of potassium.

Click here for more information

 

#3. GreenView Starter Fertilizer For New Sod

The GreenView Starter Fertilizer is the best fertilizer for new sod if you want to speed root growth and nutrient absorption.

It also helps your lawns to retain water and protects against droughts.

Our favorite feature of this fertilizer and the one that we think really stands out is that it has immediate-release and slow-release nitrogen. This also ensures that you get 8 weeks of continuous feeding.

Another thing we really like is the fact that it has enhanced efficiency, which does a really good job of making your terrain a consistent green color with even growth.

In terms of efficacy, we put it right up there with Scotts Starter and in some cases, it is even better because it continues to feed for weeks.

Click here for more information

 

#4. Espoma LS36 Organic Lawn Starter Sod Food

The Espoma LS36 is a great lawn care product and works really well with starter lawns and new sod.

We like that it has an all-natural formula that is really safe for your kids, pets, and the environment.

It is also granulated, which makes it really easy to spread out. And it has a nice bio-tone formula that really effectively works into the roots and soil to help your sod grow faster.

Additionally, Espoma is a pretty well-known brand name and has been around in the industry for almost a whole century.

They definitely know what they are doing and have a solid reputation. Just keep in mind that it has more phosphorus than most other lawn foods, which really does a good job in supporting a strong root system and creating thick new grass.

Click here for more information

 

#5. Central Sod Starter Fertilizer

Lastly, we have the Central Sod Starter Fertilizer, which is a nice boutique brand to try out if you want a nice starter fertilizer. This is a 10-10-10 fertilizer that covers 600 square feet.

This unique fertilizer is great to apply when both seeding and sodding. It will help establish a healthy root system as well as lush green turf.

We like how it has a quick-release formula that acts pretty much immediately.

Because of this unique formula, you should get nice results really quickly. It is also quick and easy to apply and the small bags take the guesswork out of it all.

The only thing is that it is a bit of an unknown brand, so you may not trust its reliability and efficacy. We vouch for it and think that it is definitely worth taking a gamble with.

Click here for more information

Frequently asked questions

Here are answers to some of the questions we get on new sod care.

Why do I need to fertilize?

Fertilizing your lawn or garden is an important step in keeping your plants healthy and vibrant.

In essence, applying a fertilizer to your garden can help give your plants, grass, and sod the nutrition it needs to grow and thrive. Without regular applications of fertilizer, your garden won’t be able to reach its full potential.

While applying a fertilizer can be beneficial, it’s best to avoid over-fertilizing.

Too much of a good thing can be just as bad as not enough!

It’s best to use the right type of fertilizer at the right rate for optimal results.

Liquid fertilizers are often preferred due to their ability to quickly break down in the soil and become readily available for plant uptake. However, other types such as granular fertilizers do also provide effective results when used correctly.

What is the Difference Between Starter Fertilizer and Regular Fertilizer for Lawn Grass?

Starter fertilizers are specific products made exclusively for newly planted grasses or areas being sodded.

These can be liquid or granular fertilizers containing higher levels of nitrogen than other types, which helps to promote root development and establishment.

Starter fertilizers also generally come with a pre-emergent herbicide that can be used to prevent weed growth during the early stages of development.

Regular fertilizer is often referred to as “maintenance” fertilizer because it is used throughout the growing season on established turfgrass that has already been rooted in place for several months.

When can I fertilize my new sod with a nitrogen – phosphorus – potassium solution?

Every new lawn needs fertilizer to grow. And this is particularly true when you want to help the sod take root and grow. So the main question one may ask is: when is the best time to apply the fertilizer?

When laying down a new lawn with sod, wait three weeks to 30 days before applying any granular or non-granular fertilizer. This allows ample time for your sod to become firmly rooted in the soil.

What fertilizer do you put on new sod and grass seed?

When you lay sod for a new lawn, it’s important to understand what fertilizer is best to use. Fertilizing your new sod will help promote strong growth and ensure you have a lush, green lawn for years to come.

The type of fertilizer you should use on newly laid sod depends on the type of grass seed used.

For best results, you need to choose between a granular or liquid solution. This is a personal choice you need to make.

Look for fertilizers with nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (NPK )ratios such as 16-4-8 or 19-5-9, or 25-0-5. These numbers indicate the levels of these elements in the fertilizer which are essential to healthy grass growth. Note that other numbers are also perfectly fine, all depending on the type of grass you have.

References

https://homeguides.sfgate.com/should-fertilize-new-sod-87066.html

https://sodsolutions.com/blog/2018/06/27/new-lawn/

The Review Gurus
Logo