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When your sod is new, you should keep an eye on it to prevent dehydration. As new sod plants its roots into the soil beneath it, it can easily get dehydrated and start to turn brown. Keeping a consistent watering schedule for your new sod will help prevent this issue and will help it thrive as it roots into your yard.

Once your sod is about six weeks old, you can start to establish a regular lawn maintenance routine, complete with mowing, edging, and fertilizing.  

Provided you're using an appropriate starter fertilizer for grass seed, you can put down seeds and fertilizer at the same time. However, putting them down separately, one after the other, on the same day will help to avoid over- or under-applying the lawn food. Avoid using a fertilizer with weed control elements, as these will likely keep the grass seeds from starting.  

On average, the cost of lawn fertilization is $250, ranging from $80 to $400, depending on the size of the lawn, its current condition, additional treatments, number of applications, fertilizer type, and location. Keep in mind that labor, tools, and equipment make up 80% to 90% of the total cost of lawn fertilization. Additional lawn treatment options include:

• Lime treatment: $100–$150 per 1,000 square feet

• Crabgrass treatment: $30–$80

• Grub treatment: $30–$80

• Mulching: $150–$400

• Dethatching: $265–$295

DIY solutions often lack precise formulation and distribution, potentially leading to lawn damage. Professional treatments optimize results with targeted applications.