there isnt supposed to be gaps between the sod piece ... and that is causing it to dry in those spots ...

it was improper installation ... talk to your installer ... if it was you ... skip that part .. lol ...

water when a plant needs water.. how did you come up with this schedule .. perhaps its not enough .. we arent there.. so we cant really tell you how to adjust such ...

can you pull back the sod.. or has it rooted into the soil .... if you can.. pull one back.. and observe the soil below.. and make sure it is getting moisture at least an inch down.. so the sod will want to put roots into it ...

im thinking adding a third daily watering might not be the right way to think about it.. perhaps you need to water longer for the 2 current cycles ... rather than adding a third ... do not confuse how much water a lawn might need ... you are dealing with how much water new sod needs ... and that is probably much more water ...

it might be to your advantage to fill the holes between piece ... the grass will grow into it.. and it will all disappear ... but right now.. the gaps are allowing air to dry the soil below between the pieces ...

i would probably not cut out the brown,. if you get watering right.. it will refill said area.. why create more holes ...

ken

Thanks Ken! I asked my landscaper about this, who installed it, and he said the holes will fill in in a week and it will be fine. Also, i noticed an area of grass in the corner that is turning brown. I asked him about it and he said i didnt water enough.

I have been watering atleast twice a day with sprinklers. The landscape guy told me to water once a day 3 times a week. Isnt that too less? I read online and got a material on Marathon sod which says to water thrice a day for the first week and reduce slowly as the roots develop.

I pulled up a few layers where it was browning, and i see roots developing and the soil seems moist. I will notice more closely after the water seeps down more. I have currently set the sprinkler to run for 15 mins twice a day instead of 10 mins. I am confused how much to water a newly laid sod. :(

Once a day, three times a week is about right for an established lawn. You’re not there yet. You should probably water 2 times daily for another few weeks, and give those brown spots an extra soaking by hand.

obviously.. you arent watering enough ... period ...

put a pie tin or a tuna can out there.. and water until youve put done at least a half inch of water ... according to your measuring device .. and i bet in a few days you will see a big difference ... in the overall color of the lawn ....

depth of watering is more important than frequency ... if you are not getting it down below the roots of the sod.. into the soil below.. then the grass cant/wont grow roots down into the native soil under .. and in the mean time.. will brown due to lack of water at depth ..

its seems that is what your landscaper said.. when he told you.. you arent watering enough ...

and yes.. if properly watered.. it will fill in the gaps ...

once youve soaked it in .. down to root level. then you can back off a bit on volume.. every watering doesnt have to be a soaker... it all depends on how the weather was ...

its more of an art.. rather than a science ... meaning.. someone elses schedule.. may or may not work for you .. you have to pay around within the words and concepts .. rather than take them as proven fact ...

ken

Those gaps won’t fill in any time soon. Fill them with soil so the roots have something to grow into and prevent the edges from drying out.

tj