Everything Property Owners Should Know About When to Cut New Sod
Clear Cut Group knows that many homeowners want to achieve healthy, lush yards. Sod is one of the best ways to attain desirable residential greenery, yet many are unsure about the proper grass-cutting techniques to ensure a healthy, long-lasting yard.
Contact the best sod installers in Mississauga for professional advice.
When and How to Cut New Sod
Homeowners should wait for at least one to two weeks after installation to mow their sod. However, this depends on factors like the type of sod and whether the roots are established.
Before mowing, check the lawn’s progress by lightly tugging at the soil for signs of resistance. A sodded lawn ready for mowing will have little white roots preventing it from pulling out of the ground easily.
If the sod comes up from the ground effortlessly, consider waiting another few days for the roots to grow and establish themselves in the ground.
When it’s time to cut the sod for the first time, set the mowing height higher than usual to leave sufficient leaf surface for photosynthesis. Different turf grasses have varying recommended heights for mower blades.
Regardless of the blade’s height, don’t cut more than 1/3 of the grass blade. Mowing at higher settings encourages lateral growth.
Developing Strong Roots
Sod needs ample time between installation and first mowing to anchor roots deep into the soil. Shallow roots develop within the first few days but lack sufficient strength to keep the sod pieces from moving when someone mows or walks over the lawn.
Following the sod supplier’s fertilization and watering recommendations helps speed up root development. Additionally, over-watering kills rather than helps roots grow, so give the new sod ample time to absorb moisture and dry out slightly between soakings.
Premature Cutting Causes Damage
Properly installed and healthy sod may show green growth early, presenting a shaggy appearance that seems to require mowing. However, cutting too early will only damage leaf blades and grassroots.
Mowing before the sod fully anchors can ruin entire patches of lawn fast. New sod doesn’t handle heavy weights well while trying to grow roots, so the weight of a riding mower could lead to depressions and brown patches. When possible, use a walk-behind mower.
Waiting Too Long
Homeowners who wait too long to mow may have to remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blade, which causes unnecessary stress on new sod. While many homeowners feel nervous about mowing only a couple of weeks after installation, they should strive to minimize as much stress as possible for the newly established lawn.
Benefits of Cutting New Sod
Mowing plays a crucial role in developing a healthy lawn. Knowing when to cut new sod:
- Helps the lawn grow thicker and fuller faster
- Prevents weed competition
- Prevents and eliminates insects such as grass spiders
Mowing new sod cuts off significant portions of grass that facilitate photosynthesis, forcing the plants to regrow new leaves and sprout more shoots. The fresh shoots increase the lawn’s turf density.
A high-density turf is a good quality turf; home lawns with increased turf density have increased wear tolerance. A high-density turf tolerates foot traffic without losing its vibrant colour and aesthetic appeal. In addition, a high-density turf in a sports setting increases the turf’s playability.
Finally, frequent mowing helps condition turf grass to develop shorter shoots and adapt to avoid critical sections like the crown getting chopped off.
Shorter shoots need less root establishment, which translates to simpler lawn care and maintenance, as the grass needs less water to establish the root system.
Clear Cut Group is a premier landscape maintenance company with over a decade of experience. The company offers residential and commercial property care services at reasonable prices, including sod installation, yard cleanup, snow removal, and window cleaning.
Each Clear Cut Group team member understands the value of exceeding client expectations by delivering superior results. As landscape maintenance experts, Clear Cut Group brings a wealth of experience in sod care, helping property owners determine when to cut new sod.
Need to learn about the effective ways of installing sod? Contact the experts at Clear Cut Group by calling 905-824-6597 or visiting their website to request a free estimate.
