When Can I Mow My Lawn after Sod Installation?

Having new sod installed is exciting but it can also be stressful. You’re advised that if you don’t properly care for your sod, you could end up having to try again. This can leave you eager or anxious to get things done so that you don’t accidentally ruin your sod. However, this eagerness could lead to trouble if you are not careful. Mowing your lawn is one of the most important steps after installing new sod, but you can’t do it unless your lawn is ready. However, how do you know when it is time? 

Is There an Exact Time?

It can be exciting to have new sod on your property. You feel a sense of accomplishment to see your lawn looking so wonderful that you may want to jump the gun and start mowing right away. After all, you don’t want to neglect your lawn. However, this can do more harm than good. It is always important to know when the appropriate time is to mow your lawn so you do not accidentally damage it when it is still new to your yard.

To approximate the time that you would want to start mowing new sod, you can roughly say seven to fourteen days after installation but this is not a hard limit. What you are actually waiting for is for the roots to grow into the ground and attach properly to the soil below.

When it is time to cut the grass, there are several rules that you are going to want to follow in order to make sure that the initial cut is a success. The first thing that you are going to want to keep in mind is that you never want to cut more than a third of the blade. Whatever height that you want your grass at, you are going to want to wait for it to be higher in order to allow the leaf surface to adequately photosynthesize. This means that if you are wanting your grass height at two inches, you will want to wait to start cutting at two and a half inches. Of course, the most important thing to keep in mind is that you have a sharp blade for that initial cut so your job is a little easier. 

How to Test

There is a situation that many homeowners find themselves in: the first seven days since their sod installation have passed and they wonder if it is time to start mowing. They don’t want to be overeager, but they don’t want to be neglectful either. Thankfully, there is a way that you can test your sod to see if it is ready to be mowed.

Because your sod is typically laid in a brickwork pattern, all you have to do is to select one patch and attempt to tug it up with the toe of your shoe. If it comes up easily, that means that the roots have not yet taken hold of the soil. If it resists, then you can be certain that it is ready to be mowed. To make sure that the sod has taken hold in all areas, you’ll want to test a few different patches and check the seams between patches to make sure that there isn’t any separation. 

In the meantime, as you wait for your lawn to be ready, be sure to sharpen your lawnmower’s blades to be as sharp as possible for that first mow. 

Buying Sod in Orlando?

If you are interested in buying sod in Orlando, then you know that the right type of sod and the quality of installation matters more than anything. That is why at Sod Depot, we make sure that we provide only the highest quality product and customer service possible. We want your new sod to succeed, so we help our clients by giving them the right tools and instructions to care for their sod even after our job is complete. Whether you are new to putting down sod or you are a seasoned expert, we at Sod Depot can be your resource to make the process as smooth as possible. To learn more about our sod or to plan your next sod installation, visit us at the Sod Depot today.