Are you ready to establish a new lawn or revitalize an existing lawn? There are two ways you can accomplish this: by sowing grass seeds and waiting weeks for them to germinate and grow, or by installing an instant lawn through sod. Many people choose the latter. If you’re considering a sod lawn and have questions about sod taking root, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll explain how sod roots develop and provide some helpful tips to encourage a healthy sod root system.
Shallow Roots
Initial sod rooting occurs within the first two weeks of installation. But it’s important to keep in mind that these roots are still shallow and need to deepen. Watering your sod regularly helps to stimulate root development and should be done every day for the first month.
During this time, take measures to ensure that the turf is not disturbed by foot traffic or mowing. As far as possible, avoid walking on your new sod because this can interfere with the developing root system.
Deep Roots
Some experts recommend reducing the frequency of watering after the first week to force the roots to extend deeper into the ground for water. If this method is used, the root system will be fully established within 30 to 45 days. Once this happens, you can start to mow your lawn. Before your first cut, allow the grass to dry for 48 hours. This is incredibly important.
If you cut your grass while it’s wet, the blades of grass might be torn off by the mower, which encourages disease and dieback. In addition to making sure your grass is completely dry, set your mower to 3 inches for the first cut.
Preparing Your Soil
You’ll need to till the soil so that your new sod can take root more easily. Then, before you install your sod grass, the soil should be slightly acidic with a pH range between 6 to 6.5. This is an appropriate range for most types of grass. The soil also needs to have enough compost and lime or sulfur to create an ideal environment for sod. You can test your soil to see what nutrients are lacking and till them in.
Once you have tilled the soil, use a rake to level the soil and water it lightly. Leveling the ground is important because the sod will take the shape of the ground. You don’t want an uneven area where standing water can accumulate.
Encouraging Faster Rooting
In addition to regular watering, you can encourage rapid root development by using a lawn roller right after installing your sod. To do this, fill the drum to one-third full and move it across the sod to embed the new roots into the topsoil.
Doing this eliminates any air pockets that may get in the way of healthy root development. Another thing you can do is fertilize your lawn approximately six weeks after laying your sod. The best fertilizer to use is a slow-release fertilizer that is high in nitrogen.
Contact the Pros
Now that you have a better understanding of how long it takes for sod roots to develop and some tips on how to cut down on the time for the sod to take root, it’s time to get your new sod lawn installed. Give our team of experts a call at Sodding GTA and we can help you establish your beautiful lawn.