CleanYards Playbook
A practical Ottawa-area homeowner guide for newly installed sod. Use it as a baseline and adjust for your sprinkler output, weather, and site conditions.
Use the timeline below as a baseline. Rooting progress matters more than exact day count.
Quick View
Fast reference table for watering, mowing, and seasonal lawn tasks.
| Period | Watering | Mowing | Weeding | Fertilizer / Overseeding | Grub Control (Nematodes) | Other Practices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Days 0-7 | 3x/day (start with ~20-30 min/zone; adjust to keep sod + topsoil moist) | No | No | No | No | Avoid foot traffic; keep edges and seams moist. |
| Days 8-13 | 1x/day (start with ~20-30 min/zone; adjust as needed) | No | No | No | No | Avoid walking on lawn. |
| Days 14-21 | Every 1-2 days (about 3-4x/week), deeper watering | Yes, highest setting | Before mow | No | No | Remove clippings; do not scalp lawn. |
| Day 22+ | 2-3x/week (start with ~20-30 min/zone; adjust by rainfall and moisture) | Yes, highest setting | Before mow | No | No | Regular cadence based on weather and growth. |
| Yearly Rhythm | Weather-based, usually 2-3x/week (rainfall counts) | Regular cadence | Ongoing | 3-4x/year | 1x/year (late summer/early fall) if lawn is grub-prone | Inspect thatch layer; de-thatch if needed. Overseed thin zones (best results often late summer/early fall). |
Step 1
Use this phased schedule as a guide. Rooting progress matters more than exact day count, so adjust for sun, slope, wind, and rainfall.
Days 1-7
Watering: 3x/day (start with ~20-30 min/zone, then adjust to keep sod + topsoil moist)
Mowing: No mowing
Days 8-13
Watering: 1x/day (morning, start with ~20-30 min/zone and adjust as needed)
Mowing: Wait until rooting improves
Days 14-21
Watering: Every 1-2 days (about 3-4x/week), deeper cycles
Mowing: First mow at highest deck setting
Day 22+
Watering: 2-3x/week (start with ~20-30 min/zone and adjust by weather/rainfall)
Mowing: Normal mowing cadence
Water early morning whenever possible. Avoid late-night watering because extended leaf wetness can increase disease pressure. Midday irrigation is usually least efficient due to evaporation.
On very hot or windy days, add short extra watering cycles if needed to prevent drying between regular waterings.
Long-Term Care
| Category | What To Do | Typical Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Spring startup | Rake/de-thatch dead material, remove winter debris, inspect bare spots | Late April to early May |
| Fertilizing | Apply season-appropriate fertilizer 3-4 times per year | May, July, late August, early October |
| Overseeding | Overseed thin areas as needed | Best window: late summer to early fall (spring patching also possible) |
| Grub defense | Apply beneficial nematodes if lawn is grub-prone or has grub history | Late summer or early fall |
| Repair work | Topdress + seed + starter fertilizer in damaged areas | As needed |
Long-Term Care
A structured 3-4 application plan keeps turf active through spring, summer, and fall.
Formula: Higher nitrogen blend (ex: 30-0-10)
Timing: Early May
Wakes turf after dormancy and supports early green-up.
Formula: Balanced maintenance blend (ex: 18-0-12)
Timing: Early July
Apply when heat stress is manageable and water-in as needed.
Formula: Balanced maintenance blend (ex: 18-0-12)
Timing: Late August
Helps maintain color and resilience heading into fall.
Formula: Higher potassium blend (ex: 15-0-30)
Timing: Early October
Supports winter hardiness and spring recovery potential.
Long-Term Care
Choose blend type by light exposure, traffic level, and desired speed of fill.
Typical mix: 40% Kentucky bluegrass, 40% creeping red fescue, 20% perennial ryegrass
Best use: New builds, patch repairs, and broad overseeding.
Application rate: ~4 lb per 1000 sq ft
Typical mix: 60% creeping red fescue, 30% perennial ryegrass, 5% chewing fescue, 5% Kentucky bluegrass
Best use: Low-light lawns and tree-canopy zones.
Application rate: ~3.5-4 lb per 1000 sq ft
Typical mix: 60% creeping red fescue, 35% perennial ryegrass, 5% Kentucky bluegrass
Best use: High-traffic areas or steep grades needing fast cover.
Application rate: ~4 lb per 1000 sq ft
Typical mix: 100% Kentucky bluegrass
Best use: Long-term density and winter hardiness in full-sun lawns.
Application rate: Follow bag rate, often lower than mixed blends
First 30 Days
These common signs can happen while sod settles and roots in.
First 30 Days
Common sod issues and what to do next.
Likely cause: Could be overwatering (roots not chasing water) or under-watering (yellow seams, shrinkage).
Fix: Rebalance watering depth and frequency. If problem persists, assess shade, compaction, and soil contact.
Likely cause: Raccoons/skunks may test fresh sod looking for grubs.
Fix: Reset rolls immediately and keep moisture consistent. Activity usually drops as turf settles.
Likely cause: Winter stress, salt, compaction, or thatch buildup.
Fix: Spring de-thatch, topdress thin zones, overseed, and fertilize with a seasonal program.
Likely cause: Too much surface moisture, poor airflow, and prolonged shade can keep the lawn wet too long.
Fix: Reduce watering frequency, water earlier in the day, improve airflow where possible, and avoid keeping soil constantly soggy.
Likely cause: Water is being applied faster than soil can absorb it, often on compacted soil or slopes.
Fix: Use shorter cycle-and-soak watering intervals, check sprinkler output, and increase soak time between cycles so water penetrates instead of running off.
