How Soon Can I Walk on My Lawn After Putting Down Sod?
Ok, your beautiful new sod lawn is laid, and it looks fabulous! Great, but don’t let those eyes deceive you because while it may look like a lawn that’s ready for foot traffic and all kinds of activity you want to do on it – it’s not!
When you lay sod, your new lawn needs time to root itself. Once your sod takes root, you can walk on your lawn. But if you walk on it before it’s rooted you risk losing your beautiful lawn.
How Long do I Have to Wait?
The recommended amount of time you should wait to use your lawn after laying sod is about two weeks. But two weeks is really the average number of days you should wait. You should determine the number of days it takes for your lawn to root before you start using it. Remember, if you had grass seed down, you’d be waiting 3-4 times longer just for the seed to sprout!
Testing to see if your lawn has rooted is simple. Grab one corner of a “piece” of sod and gently lift it up. If you feel very little to no resistance, then the roots have not yet formed. If your sod feels heavy, then your roots have taken and you’re ready to go! It’s a good idea to check a couple pieces of sod around your lawn to determine if the entire lawn is ready.
A few helpful hints to help ensure that your new sod roots and you end up with that green, lush lawn you’ve always wanted:
Start before the sod even comes. Having your soil prepared before your sod arrives can make a difference in having a successful lawn or a frustrating one.
Give your new lawn plenty of water. Your new lawn will thank you for having plenty of water during those first few weeks. Again, depending on Mother Nature and the rainfall you receive – take that into consideration. You don’t want your sod to dry out, but you also don’t want to drown it.
Walk softly. While you will have to traverse your lawn to water it and care for it properly – be sure to step lightly when you do. The less you walk on it before it roots, the better chance your lawn will have to thrive.
Give your lawn its first haircut. Yup. About a week after sod lawn installation, you’ll want to mow your lawn. Keep it light and follow any directions your installer gave you when you bought your sod.
By following these simple steps you’ll be on your way to having a lawn that you can enjoy, and all your neighbors will envy!
Final Thoughts from ASAP Sands Outdoor Services
We’ve been installing Albuquerque sod lawns for over 40 years. If you’ve been considering installing a sod lawn in your Albuquerque yard give us a call at 505-293-4014 for free quote.
