Installing sod is a quick and efficient method to establish a lush, green lawn on your property. Even though sod is often referred to as an “instant lawn,” you still need to take extra care of it so that it can flourish in the long term. Many residents in Texas often ask how they should care for their sod once it’s installed. Well, below are three of the most frequently asked questions to help you with your sod after a fresh installation. After reading through this blog, you should know how often to water your newly installed sod, when you can first mow it, and when you can start using your lawn like normal!

1. How often should I water my new sod?

Close up on a spray hose handle in use on a lawn in Dripping Springs, TX.

When watering your sod, the amount of water you use depends on how long it’s been since it was installed. Well, before getting into that, it’s important to note that you need to water your sod immediately after installation to prevent it from drying out. Then, during the first two weeks, water your sod multiple times per day to help the roots establish themselves in your soil. It'll need all the extra water it can get because the roots need to establish themselves in the soil. Around the three to four week mark, you then want to reduce how often you water your sod while watering it for longer each time. This deep watering will ensure the moisture reaches the root zone of your grass, so it can continue to develop stronger roots.

Water your sod early in the morning to reduce the rate of evaporation!

2. When can I mow my sod for the first time after installation?

A push lawn mower on a vibrant lawn by some white rocks on a property in Round Rock, TX.

Your sod needs time to establish roots in your soil after installation, so you don’t want to mow it too early. If you end up mowing your sod before it’s developed strong roots, you can end up damaging your grass, and it'll have a tougher time recovering. Ideally, you want to wait around two weeks before the first mow. Then when you mow it for the first time, make sure you cut back on the watering the day before. That way, the grass can firm up so you can successfully run the mower over it.

Make sure you're not removing any more than 1/3 off the top of the grass blades when you mow your sod!

3. When can I use my lawn like normal?

A regularly mowed lawn in front of a brick home in Buda, TX.

Usually, newly installed sod takes about a month to fully establish itself in your soil and become strong enough to endure regular foot traffic. If your sod hasn't developed strong roots when you begin to use it, then you risk damaging it and jeopardizing its progress. To check if your lawn is ready to be used like normal, you can test it by gently pulling on the grass. If the sod ends up lifting off the ground, then your lawn is not ready to be used yet. However, if it’s hard to pull the sod out, then that means the roots are firmly established in your soil, and you can start using it like normal.

Ready for a new lawn? Call us today to schedule our sod installation service!

Treat yourself to an instant new lawn by letting us install sod on your property! At Century Lawn and Landscape, we will go the extra mile and even prepare the soil before we install your sod. That way, your newly installed sod will have the perfect foundation to establish itself in your yard. We service residential properties in Austin, Bee Cave, Dripping Springs, and nearby areas in Texas. Give us a call today at (512) 786-1694 to schedule our sod installation service so you can have that vibrant lawn of your dreams!