How Long Before You Mow Your New Sod

Key Takeaways

Wait at least two weeks to mow new sod
Always perform a tug test before mowing new sod
Never cut more than 1/3 of your sod at one time
Mow sod either in the morning or evening
Bag clippings for the first month following sod installation

Sod has many amazing benefits, from quickly achieving a lush lawn to reduced maintenance. However, knowing how to take care of your newly sodded lawn is key to its success and longevity. Some of the major questions people ask are when to mow new sod and how to mow new sod. Luckily, this blog has the answers to both. Read on to discover all there is know about maintaining a beautifully sodded lawn.

Why You Need to Wait to Mow New Sod?

As with any type of grass, it takes time to establish a healthy root system. Before you can mow your sod, you must wait until the roots are developed and firmly connected with the soil. Strong roots keep the sod from dislodging or becoming damaged from the lawn mower.

When Is the Right Time to Mow New Sod?

Knowing when to mow new sod is vital to the health and long-term growth of your lawn. It’s best to wait a minimum of two weeks before mowing new sod. This gives the sod sufficient time to grow and secure its roots before being put under the stress of a lawn mower. This timeframe can vary depending on the weather and soil conditions. If you’re unsure if your sod is ready for mowing, you can perform a tug test. Here’s how it works:

Tug Test: After the two weeks have passed, gently tug at a section of your sod. If you feel resistance, it’s likely the sod has developed its roots. If the sod lifts up, that means it isn’t quite ready for mowing. Try the test again in a week to check the progress.

How to Mow New Sod

Mowing sod for the first time is slightly different from how you would mow grass seed for the time. For example, sod can be mowed within two to three weeks of laying it, whereas grass seed typically takes two to month fours months before it can be mowed. In addition to the timing, the mowing technique and height also differ. The following is a list of steps outlining how to mow new sod:

Watch the weather changes as you prepare to mow your sod for the first time. You should avoid mowing sod right after a rainfall or if it’s covered in heavy dew. Additionally, don’t water your sod the day or night before you plan to mow. Mowing wet sod can cause ruts, spread disease, and make a mess of the clippings. Pushing a lawn mower over any type of wet grass is also dangerous as you could slip could slip and fall while trying to maneuver the mower.

Dull blades can cause a whole host of problems with your new sod. In addition to being frustrating, mowing a lawn with dull blades results in unclean cuts and can may even lead to the development and/or spread of disease. If you’re unsure how to sharpen the blades or aren’t comfortable doing it at home, many hardware stores, repair shops, and lawn care companies offer sharpening services.

The best time of day to mow new sod is early in the morning or later in the evening. The key is to avoid cutting the sod during peak heat hours, which is typically between 10 in the morning and two in the afternoon. Mowing during high heat hours can put additional stress on your sod, resulting in brown spots, a weak root system, and decreased moisture absorption.

Keep new sod at a height of 3 to 4 inches as it continues to settle in. While this may be a bit longer than you’re used to, it helps the sod retain nutrients as it continues to grow and establish its roots. After its first mowing, you can lower this height to around 2 ½ to 3 inches depending on your personal preferences. It’s important to note that you should never remove more than 1/3 of your sod at one time, as this can lead to increased top growth rather than root growth.

It’s a good idea to bag the clippings for the first month following sod installation. Leaving the clippings can create a buildup of thatch which finders healthy root development. Once the sod is fully established, you can leave the clippings as they’ll provide the sod with additional nutrients.

What Not to Do After Getting New Sodding

In order to promote the healthy establishment and long-term growth of your new sod, avoid the following within the first month of laying sod:

Mowing too soon
Walking on the sod
Watering sod more than twice a day
Placing heavy objects on the sod

Final Thoughts

When maintained correctly, sodded lawns can be a great addition to your front and/or back yard. Knowing when to mow new sod, what to avoid, and how to mow new sod is key to establishing a beautiful, thriving, and long-lasting lawn.

Contact Sodding GTA today for more sodding tips or professional installation!

FAQs

How long do you have to wait to walk on new sod?

You should wait two to three weeks before walking on new sod to avoid unnecessary damage from foot traffic. For optimal results, keep from walking on new sod for a month when the root system is fully established.

What’s the difference between shallow and deep roots?

Shallow roots are located closer to the surface of the soil, whereas deep roots are grown further into the soil. The depth of shallow roots is between 12 and 18 inches, while deep roots have a depth of 24 to 36 inches.

How long until new sod lines disappear?

Sod lines typically disappear within four to six weeks. The lines are the seams of where each sod piece meets. As the root system establishes, the pieces will grow together and the lines will become less and less visible.