Big Easy Landscaping, a landscaping and outdoor construction contractor serving residential and commercial properties, published a detailed guide on addressing the timing, method, and material considerations involved in fertilizing sod during new lawn installations. The guide, titled “Should You Fertilize Before or After Installing Sod,” covers pre-installation fertilization, post-installation fertilization, a hybrid approach that incorporates both methods, soil assessment procedures, sod species considerations, and the functional characteristics of four fertilizer categories used in residential lawn establishment projects.
The guide presents three distinct approaches to fertilization timing, each with different implications for root development and nutrient availability. Pre-installation fertilization involves applying a phosphorus-rich starter fertilizer to the prepared soil before the sod is laid, which provides an immediate nutrient base that the sod’s root system can access as it makes contact with the soil surface. The guide mentions that fertilizers with more phosphorus, like a 10-20-10 ratio, are recommended for this method because phosphorus is the key nutrient that helps new grass roots grow. Post-installation fertilization involves waiting approximately four to six weeks after the sod has been placed before applying a balanced fertilizer, which allows the root system to begin establishing before additional nutrients are introduced. The hybrid approach combines a light application of starter fertilizer before installation with supplemental feeding after the sod has begun to root, using organic topdressing for slow-release nutrition or liquid fertilizers for more immediate nutrient delivery.
A separate section of the guide addresses the role of soil testing in determining which fertilization approach and which specific formulation are appropriate for a given property. The guide states that a soil test reveals the existing levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as micronutrients such as iron and magnesium, and identifies the current pH of the soil. The guide notes that grass performs within a pH range of 6.0 to 7.0, and that soils outside this range may require amendment with lime to raise pH or sulfur to lower it before sod installation proceeds. Soil texture is also addressed, with the guide noting that sandy soils drain moisture and nutrients more rapidly than clay soils, which affects both the type and frequency of fertilizer application. The guide recommends incorporating two to three inches of organic compost into clay-heavy soils to improve aeration and drainage before sod is placed.
The guide compares four categories of fertilizer used in sod installation projects. Starter fertilizers with high phosphorus content are described as the standard choice for new sod because they target root development directly, with the guide recommending application at half the manufacturer’s suggested rate to avoid root burn in newly laid turf. Slow-release granular fertilizers, such as a 15-15-15 balanced formulation, deliver nutrients over an extended period and reduce the risk of chemical burn associated with concentrated applications. Liquid feeds provide rapid nutrient absorption and are described as effective for addressing visible deficiencies after installation, though the guide notes they require careful application to prevent runoff. Organic options, including compost-based and manure-based fertilizers, improve soil texture and microbial activity without synthetic chemicals but contain lower nutrient concentrations, which the guide states may require more frequent application during the growing season.
The guide addresses the relationship between sod species and fertilization timing. Warm-season grasses, including St. Augustine grass, which is the dominant residential turf species in southeastern Louisiana, respond to fertilization applied between late spring and early fall when active growth is at its peak. Cool-season grasses such as ryegrass are better suited to early spring fertilization. The guide notes that sod farms typically provide species-specific fertilization recommendations, and that the fertilization schedule should be calibrated to the growth cycle of the specific grass type installed on the property.
Big Easy Landscaping provides a range of landscaping and outdoor construction services beyond sod installation and lawn establishment. The company’s service categories include custom screen porch installation, screen enclosures, patios, patio covers, patio pavers, pergolas and gazebos, outdoor kitchens, outdoor home decks, landscape lighting, sunroom construction, walkways, water features, wood fences, garden gates, hardscaping, concrete driveways, pavestone driveways, gravel roads, rock roads, French drain installation, drainage systems, land leveling, landscape architecture, landscape construction, landscape design consultation, and landscape maintenance. The company serves residential and commercial properties in New Orleans, Metairie, Covington, Mandeville, Madisonville, Slidell, Hammond, and Abita Springs.
“The decision to fertilize before sod installation, after installation, or using a combination of both depends on the existing nutrient profile and pH of the soil, the species of sod being installed, and the drainage characteristics of the property,” said a representative of Big Easy Landscaping. “The guide was written to document those variables so that the property owner and the installation team are working from the same soil data when the fertilization schedule is established.”
Property owners may contact Big Easy Landscaping at 504-229-6519 or through the company’s website at www.bigeasylandscaping.com. The published guide is available on the company’s blog.
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For more information about Big Easy Landscaping, contact the company here:
Big Easy Landscaping
Dorinda Hulbert
504-513-1198
info@bigeasylandscaping.com
3436 Magazine St., Suite 120-A, New Orleans, LA 70115, USA