Because the Atlanta, GA area is so beautiful, you'll want your property to be beautiful as well. If your lawn is looking a little worse for wear, or you don't have a lawn at all, installing sod on your property is a great option. Installing sod is a great way to establish an instantly green lawn on your property. But once you install sod in your yard, you'll need to resist the temptation to mow it right away. It's important to understand these three rules before you cut your sod for the first time. For one, wait at least two weeks before you mow it for the first time because sod will need time to establish roots in your soil. Then, once your sod is ready for its first mowing, you'll have to cut back on the watering the day before so it can firm up. And on the day of the big mow, set your mower blades to the highest setting to avoid stressing your grass. By following these three rules, you can ensure your first mow will be successful!

1. Wait two weeks before mowing your sod for the first time.

Sod installed for lawn in Atlanta, GA.

When you install sod on your lawn, you should wait at least two weeks before you mow it for the first time because the roots need time to establish themselves in your soil. If the roots haven't created strong connections in your soil, you risk damaging your sod when you mow, and it could have a hard time recovering. To check if your sod is ready to be mowed, you simply need to tug on it. If the turf lifts off the ground, then that's an indication you still need to wait before cutting your grass. However, if there is resistance and your turf doesn't lift up, you can go ahead and mow it for the first time!

2. Cut back on watering your sod the day before you mow.

Homeowner watering sod in lawn in Druid Hills, GA.

After your sod is installed, you'll need to water it a lot during the first few weeks to keep it from drying out so it can establish roots in your soil. Once your sod is ready to be mowed for the first time, you'll need to cut back on the watering the day before you mow. Because of the constant watering, your sod will be damp and soft, so you need to allow it to firm up so it can withstand the weight of the lawn mower. By following this rule, you can prevent any unnecessary damage to your newly installed sod!

Set up an irrigation system to keep your sod well-watered during the first two weeks after its installation!

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

Homeowner mowing sod in Duluth, GA.

The third rule you need to follow is to set your mower blades to the highest setting before you mow. Usually, different types of grass have recommended mowing heights, but the rules are a little different when it comes to newly installed sod. You don't want to cut too much off the top of your sod during the first mow because this can cause stress to your grass. The extra stress can damage your sod, especially when it's new and still trying to establish itself in your soil.

Make sure you follow the 1/3 rule of mowing and never remove more than 1/3 off the top of your grass blades!

Call us today to schedule our sod installation and lawn mowing services!

If you're looking to establish a lush and vibrant lawn on your property, then you've come to the right place! At Bloom’n Gardens Landscape, we offer a sod installation service to give you a beautiful new lawn almost instantly! We also offer a lawn mowing service as part of our lawn maintenance program. We service these services to commercial, HOA, and residential properties in the Atlanta, GA area, including nearby areas such as Buckhead and Smyrna. Give us a call today at (404) 314-1474 to schedule our sod installation and lawn mowing services!