New sod gives you a finished lawn in a day, but the first few weeks decide whether it roots in or struggles.
Before it goes down
Old turf and weeds come out, the ground is graded smooth and sloped for drainage, and the irrigation system is checked so every area gets coverage. Sod laid over old grass or uneven ground roots poorly.
Watering
For the first week or two, keep the sod and the soil just under it moist. That usually means short waterings once or twice a day in warm weather. Then taper to deeper, less frequent watering as roots take hold. Most local watering rules allow extra watering for new sod for a limited time; check your city's allowance.
Mowing and foot traffic
Stay off the sod as much as you can for the first couple of weeks. Mow when it has rooted, when a gentle tug doesn't lift it, usually after two to three weeks. Mow high (3.5–4 inches for Floratam) and never take more than a third of the blade at once.
Hold the fertilizer
New sod doesn't need fertilizer right away. Wait until it has rooted, and follow any local summer fertilizer restrictions.