Can anything top a freshly laid lawn? The scent of fresh grass, the bright green color, and the feel of it under your feet. A new lawn is a great addition to any home. But when can you mow your brand new Sod? Keep reading for tips and tricks on when to cut grass after new Sod.
Read: How to lay sod over existing lawn
The Ideal Time To Mow New Sod
After you’ve installed new grass rolls, it’s important to wait a few days before mowing it for the first time. In this way, the roots will establish themselves and get firmly entrenched in the ground. You are risking the grass to grow properly if you cut it before time.
However, waiting too long can also be problematic. If the grass gets too tall, it will be more difficult to mow and may require special equipment.
So, when is it safe to cut new Sod? As a general rule of thumb, wait for at least seven days but no more than 14 after laying new Sod before giving it a trim. When the foundation is solid, you can move on to start mowing regularly.
Read: Tips to Take Care of Your New SOD after Installation
The Ideal Mowing Height For New Sod
As any gardener knows, mowing height is crucial in maintaining a healthy lawn. The grass will be more vulnerable to get harm from pedestrian traffic if it is too low and won’t be able to photosynthesize effectively.
However, if the Sod is allowed to grow excessively long, it will be more challenging to cut and may even become wet.
The ideal mowing height will depend on factors such as the type of grass, the length of the internodes, the number of rhizomes/stolons, and the number of basal buds. With a little trial and error, you’ll be able to find the perfect mowing height for your new Sod.
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You Should Cut SOD At Different Heights According To Grass Type
With the different types of grass, it’s important to know how high to mow your new Sod. For instance, Kentucky bluegrass should be mowed at 1.5 to 2 inches, while you should only mow Bermuda lawns at 0.5 to 2.5 inches.
Centipede grass does well at 1 to 2.5 inches, and St. Augustine, grown in full sun, can be kept short at 1.5 to 2 inches using a reel mower.
Zoysia grass is versatile and thrives in a range of mowing heights, from 0.5 to 3 inches, while you can cut Bahia grass between 2.5 to 4 inches without having scalping issues. Fine & Tall Fescues benefit from being kept on the high side of the range at 1.5 to 4 inches.
When you first sow seed or lay down new Sod, wait until it’s about 3-4 inches tall before mowing it for the first time – and then follow the recommended mowing height for your type of grass from there on out!
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How To Maintain Your Sod Before You Cut It
Taking the right steps after putting down new Sod will help it grow roots quickly and well. Use these suggestions before you cut for the very first time.
1. Fertilize Your Lawn Before You Mow It
A well-fertilized lawn is a key to healthy, green Sod. Unfortunately, many homeowners need to pay more attention to this important step in lawn care.
As a result, their lawns slowly turn brown and patchy. Fertilizing your lawn before you mow is one of the best ways to keep your Sod looking its best.
Furthermore, mowing your lawn before fertilizing will help distribute the fertilizer evenly across the new SOD. Therefore, you won’t need to stress over about over-fertilizing or under-fertilizing your lawn.
2. Before You Start Mowing Your Lawn, Water It First
It is a cardinal rule in lawn care to not the grass if it is dry. If you do, you risk scalping your grass, leaving yellow patches on your lawn that will take weeks or months to recover.
Furthermore, mowing when the grass is too dry will damage the blades, making them more susceptible to disease and pests.
For this reason, Sod needs to be watered just before being mowed. This will help to ensure that the blades are properly lubricated and that the mower will not damage them.
In addition, watering before you mow will also help to prevent scalpings, as the extra moisture will make it easier for the blades to bend instead of being cut. So watering before you mow is essential for maintaining a healthy lawn.
3. Keep Foot Traffic To A Minimum.
It’s tempting to think of your lawn as a big green welcome mat, but too much foot traffic can damage your new Sod.
The grass is delicate, and heavy footsteps can easily uproot its shallow roots. In addition, compacted soil makes it harder for new sod growth.
So, try not to put too much stress on that brand new grass by walking on it. If you must walk on the grass, stick to well-worn paths. And when it comes time to mow the lawn, use a sharp blade to avoid ripping up the Sod.
4. Watering The New SOD Regularly In Summer.
One of the most important things you can do to maintain your Sod before you mow it is to water it more in the summer.
This is because the sun and heat can quickly dry out the Sod, causing it to become yellow and faded. By watering your Sod more frequently, you will help to keep it green and healthy.
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Advantages Of Mowing Your Recently Planted Grass
1. Mowing Helps To Remove Weeds
The elimination of weeds is a major advantage of maintaining a regularly mowed SOD. Weeds compete with your lawn grass for water, nutrients, and sunlight.
2. Mowing Promotes Grass Growth
You are giving your grass a haircut when you mow your lawn. This helps to stimulate new growth and make your grass fuller and healthier.
Additionally, mowing helps to remove old and dead grass blades, which can improve the appearance of your lawn.
3. Mowing Improves Lawn Drainage
When you use a lawn mower, you create small openings in the ground that allow water to drain more easily. This is of particular use in perpetually damp or muddy regions.
Final Thoughts
It’s critical to understand when to mow new Sod if you’re going to place it in your yard and make it look beautiful. We can assist you in deciding if it is worth laying Sod on your lawn. Deo Landscaping provides Sod installation services in Surrey, BC, Vancouver and Richmond.
Cheers