When you choose to have sod installed on your property in Michigan, you will end up with a beautiful new lawn almost instantly. Although installing sod gives you a normal-looking lawn right away, it's still delicate and you need to treat it with care during the first month or so. When it comes to mowing your sod for the first time, there are three rules that you should follow. To ensure you don't damage your new sod, you should wait at least two weeks after the sod has been installed before you mow it for the first time. You should also set your mower at the highest setting to avoid causing too much stress to your grass. On the day before you decide to mow, it is important to cut back on watering to allow the sod to firm up. By following these guidelines, you will be able to successfully mow your sod for the first time without causing any damage to it.

Wait at least two weeks after your sod has been installed before you mow it for the first time.

Healthy new sod lawn ready to be mowed for the first time.

When your new sod is first installed, it will look fantastic, but because the roots haven't had time to establish themselves in the soil, it will be very fragile. If you mow it too soon, you risk ripping the sod out of the ground and causing significant damage to it. You should wait at least two weeks after your sod has been installed to mow to give it enough time for the roots to establish themselves. After two weeks, gently tug on your sod to see if it is ready to be mowed; if it lifts up, it isn't. However, if it feels firmly planted, it is ready for mowing.

In Michigan, Kentucky bluegrass is the best type of sod to have installed on your property!

Set your mower to the highest setting when mowing your sod for the first time.

Lawn being mowed with a mower at it peak height.

Before mowing your sod for the first time, make sure you set your mower to the highest setting. This is important because if you cut your lawn too short, you will stress out the grass, which is something you should always try to avoid. During the first mow and every other mow you will do, you should always utilize the 1/3 rule. This rule states that you should never cut more than 1/3 of your grass blades during a single mow. Following this rule will ensure your grass will be able to endure the mowing process without getting stressed out too much.

Cut back on watering the day before you mow your sod for the first time.

Irrigation sprinkler is watering a lawn of healthy green grass.

You should water your new sod often in the first two weeks after it has been installed to make sure it is well-hydrated. However, the day before you plan on mowing it for the first time, you should cut back on watering to allow the sod to firm up. If your soil is too soft, the weight of the mower could sink into the grass and cause substantial damage to the sod. By not giving your sod any water the day before and letting it become as firm as possible, you should be able to mow your lawn successfully without any damage being caused.

Do you want sod installed on your property? Give us a call to schedule our sod installation service!

At Rose Landscape Services, we help property owners achieve a beautiful new lawn almost instantly with our sod installation service. When you sign up for our service, we will prepare the ground to ensure the grass can develop its roots properly. Our professionals will also teach you how to maintain your new sod with proper watering and mowing techniques. We offer our service to commercial and residential properties in Grand Rapids, Ada, Cascade, MI, and surrounding areas. Call (616) 293-0361 to schedule our sod installation service for your property today!