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Bell Sod & Hydroseed

Providing Sod and Hydroseed to Sacramento and Surrounding Counties Since 1969

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Lawn After Care

Watering and Mowing

NEVER let your sod dry out in the first few weeks after installation.  The sod and soil must remain wet during this period.  It is important in the first day or two to establish a deep water table for the sod and roots.  You’ve done a good job of watering if you step on the grass and it feels mushy.  Once you have reached this consistency, follow the water frequency based on the temperatures below:

90° or above = 4 – 5 times daily

75° – 90° = 2 – 4 times daily

75° or below = 1 -2 times daily

Of course you have to adjust for the following conditions; Wind (this can dry the lawn out faster), Full Sun Exposure, and Shady areas, etc.  Your goal is to make sure that the sod does NOT become dry throughout the day.  I always recommend that one of the waterings should be early before the sun rises to allow for heavy saturation into the soil before any sun evaporation occurs.  Also, make sure that your last watering of the day is at least an hour or two before the shade hits the area.  This is done to avoid bug infestation and fungus growth on warm evenings.  High humidity is detrimental to lawns when it’s too wet as the sun goes down on hot days.  After 2 weeks you can water normally but for a new lawn when temperatures are above 90°, I would recommend watering daily the 1st summer because the roots are still being established and need to sustain dry heat.  When it comes to regular watering, you don’t have to water for long durations, but should adjust your clock to water twice in the early morning (2am – 4am) before the sun rises.  The first watering moistens the ground and you won’t lose water to run-off.  By the time the second watering comes around, the ground is ready to absorb the water more fully.  By watering the same area twice within 1 or 2 hours before sunrise, you will have watered more efficiently by saving water, covering better, and the sun won’t be out to cause evaporation.

Mowing

After 10 – 14 days, you can mow but cut back on the watering so the ground is firm before cutting.  Don’t cut the grass more than a third of the blade as this causes “scalping” and can damage your lawn.  If you have trees that are heavily shedding leaves, nuts, branches onto your lawn, you should rake or blow them off as quickly as possible because of the tannic acid and shade created by the debris.

Fertilizing

After 3 weeks, fertilize the sod with either Starter, Triple 15 (15-15-15) or Triple 16 (16-16-16) fertilizer.  DON’T use any fertilizer with “weed” control.  After 7–8 mowings, you can use a fertilizer with “weed” control.  Just like you need food, a beautiful and healthy lawn needs fertilizer every 5 -6 weeks during growing season.  I like to use Scotts™ products and follow their lawn care program (available in most garden supply stores and on-line).  Used as instructed their line of products protects against weeds from starting up and will kill any weeds that form, as well as bug infestations.  They also recommend the proper fertilizer mixtures that are critical for the different seasons.

Caring For Your Hydroseeded Grass/Lawn Area

Watering

When we’re done spraying your area with the hydroseed material, let the mulch (blue/green material) dry completely (1-2 days in warmer temperatures, longer when cooler).  When completely dry, the mulch will have a white hue.  After the mulch has dried you may begin watering as follows:

90° or above = 4 – 5 times daily

75° – 90° = 2 – 4 times daily

75° or below = 1 -2 times daily

Of course you have to adjust for the following conditions; Wind (this can dry the area out faster), Full Sun Exposure, and Shady areas, etc.  Your goal is to make sure that the area does NOT become dry throughout the day.  I always recommend that one of the waterings should be early before the sun rises to allow for heavy saturation into the soil before any sun evaporation occurs.  Also, make sure that your last watering of the day is at least an hour or two before the shade hits the area.  This is done to avoid bug infestation and fungus growth on warm evenings.  High humidity is detrimental to lawns when it’s too wet as the sun goes down on hot days.  Begin adjusting the watering schedule as the grass starts filling in and retaining moisture.  You want any standing water to dry out within 15 minutes.  If this is not happening, cut back on watering.   You should be at regular watering after 1 ½ – 2 months depending on the weather and conditions.  However, I recommend watering daily the 1st summer because the roots are still being established and need to sustain dry heat.   When it comes to regular watering, you don’t have to water for long durations, but should adjust your clock to water twice in the early morning (2am – 4am) before the sun rises.  The first watering moistens the ground and you won’t lose water to run-off.  By the time the second watering comes around, the ground is ready to absorb the water more fully.  By watering the same area twice within 1 or 2 hours before sunrise, you will have watered more efficiently by saving water, covering better, and the sun won’t be out to cause evaporation.

Mowing

After the blades are about 2” high, you can mow but cut back on the watering so the ground is firm before cutting.  Don’t cut the grass more than a third of the blade as this causes “scalping” and can damage your lawn.  At this point some of the blades will be shorter, but don’t worry they’ll catch up.  It is important that you begin mowing at this point as this will help the grass to fill in faster and fuller.  If you have trees that are heavily shedding leaves, nuts, branches onto your lawn, you should rake or blow them off as quickly as possible because of the tannic acid and shade created by the debris.

Fertilizing

After 3 weeks, fertilize with either Starter, Triple 15 (15-15-15) or Triple 16 (16-16-16) fertilizer.  DON’T use any fertilizer with “weed” control.  After 7–8 mowings, you can use a fertilizer with “weed” control.  Just like you need food, a beautiful and healthy lawn needs fertilizer every 5 -6 weeks during growing season.  I like to use Scotts™ products and follow their lawn care program (available in most garden supply stores and on-line).  Used as instructed their line of products protects against weeds from starting up and will kill any weeds that form, as well as bug infestations.  They also recommend the proper fertilizer mixtures that are critical for the different seasons.

Hydroseeding for Erosion Control

The care for hydroseeded areas for erosion control (not lawn) is very simple.  Let the area run its natural course.  The seed will germinate through the natural timing of heat, cold, sunlight and rain.

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What our clients are saying

  • Just got off the phone with Greg. He spent 15 minutes with me walking me through the entire process of start to finish on how to prep my yard, what he recommends and what to expect and why Hydroseed is a great option vs doing it myself. He's ​very patient with questions​ that I'm sure he gets all the time from amateurs like myself and very well educated in his field. The internet is always a great place to learn but nothing beats an expert on the phone. Very grateful for his time and would ​highly recommend​ him to anyone looking to Hydroseed their lawn.
    Brennan M. | Sacramento, CA
  • Such great service​, driver arrived on time and explained everything there was to know about maintaining the side of the sod green. He advised to water down the sides, and before he left I seen he was already watering the sides for me. He was an older gentlemen, around his 50's. Super helpful and friendly​... chatted a bit with my little talkative 3 yr old too. ​I highly recommend​
    Tanya B. | Rosehill, CA
  • Bell Sod is awesome. ​GREAT customer service​ and very much willing to answer any and all questions before and after sod and Hydroseed installs. Highly recommend this company!
    James S. | Fair Oaks, CA
  • My husband and I are extremely pleased with Greg's work in installing sod in our backyard this morning. We were originally working with another company, who kept rescheduling us and ended up never showing to our final appt last Saturday morning. I found Greg's company and called to inquire about quotes, and he immediately gave us a quote over the phone and offered to schedule us ASAP. He constantly kept in touch from beginning to end, and did a ​wonderful job for an awesome price​...We could not be more pleased!
    Lindy C., Sacramento, CA
  • I finally got tired of all the Bermuda grass looking so ratty and invasive and just got a pick and took it out!!! I found Greg's business through our Next door site and he had excellent reviews and I am VERY glad I called him. Greg was very helpful answering questions and giving advice ​on lawn preparation, laying the sod etc. I highly recommend calling Greg Demetre if you want a great fescue lawn.
    D.N. | El Dorado, CA
  • Ordered Sod from Greg and he was ​wonderful​! Sod arrived when he said it would and Greg stuck around to offer advice on where to start to minimize my cuts. Even offered tips on watering and long term maintenance. Would recommend Greg and Bell Sod and Hydroseed in a heartbeat.
    Jeff L. | Lake Forest, CA
  • Professional and ​willing to go the extra mile​ for me when I miscalculated my lawn measurements. Thanks for the great sod!
    Cameron D. | El Dorado Hills, CA
  • Great customer service​. Greg arrived for delivery when he said he would and got to work quick. I have laid sod numerous times and his ​product is excellent​. Not too dry, or too wet. He cut the sod the morning of delivery so the sod was perfect. His pricing beat everyone in the area. I would definitely recommend Bell Sod and Hydroseeding to anyone that is in need.
    Kyler B. | Sacramento, CA
  • Greg did an awesome job on our sod. He always puts 150% into his job. I would ​highly recommend​ him. You will not be disappointed when you hire him. He also made 2 double raised beds, put our sprinkler system in, put all our landscape in on our front and back yard of our house, and a French drain. Greg is very reasonably priced and he always follows through with what he tells you he is going to do, ​very reliable​! He also did Hydroseed at the house next door to our house and it looks awesome. Thank you Greg for doing such an awesome job!
    Amber F. | Folsom, CA
  • Greg was great! I will definitely tell others about this company and I will look to them for my future sod and hydroseed needs. Greg was fair, honest, patient, informative, helpful, punctual, and pleasant. I notice that most of these reviews mention Greg in a positive light...now I understand why. He stands behind his word and a very high-quality product​. I ordered 2500 sf. from Bell Sod and Hydroseed and every single roll was green and whole. This company maintains a ​high standard of quality control​. I can feel good about recommending them and I will do it given the chance!Thank you, Bell Sod and Hydroseed!
    Seth R. | Lincoln, CA
  • I called this sod company and had already done some research prior to my call. Not only was Greg (owner) helpful but very ​informative, personable, patient​ (with my multitude of questions) and very ​competitively priced​. After the work was done, he had gone ​above and beyond​. My property is very sloped which I hadn't notified him at time of commitment but he wasn't fazed. Great experience, ​wished more people took customer service to this level.
    Alma D. | El Dorado Hills, CA
  • I've ordered sod from this company a few times and it's ​exceptional quality​. Greg was very helpful & informative with ​prompt delivery​.
    Sydney C. | El Dorado Hills, CA

Bell Sod and Hydroseed
2882 Tam Oshanter Dr
El Dorado Hills, CA 95762

(916) 331-2040

We proudly service Sacramento Valley and surrounding counties.

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