Tips for Lawn Mowing After
You’ve done it! After a successful grass installation, what’s next? The aftercare for your new sod is often crucial. Aside from its watering and sunlight needs, your turf needs mowing too. It will help promote growth and enhance its appearance.
To help guide you, here are some lawn mowing tips for your new grass installation.
When to mow
When you mow, make sure that your turf is established. You must be able to run your lawnmower over it without it being uprooted. Cutting too soon will damage your sod. At that point, its root system is still narrow to facilitate growth. To ensure that your sod has properly adhered, water it well. Be sure to water it deeply so that the roots will move down into the soil. Generally, new sod should be watered for about 45 minutes right after installation. It will help the lawn and the soil to get moisture. After that, it can be watered twice a day for 20 minutes.
The amount of time your grass installation adheres to your soil depends on the moisture and temperature. But usually, it takes 10 to 14 days. You may test if your lawn is ready by gently tugging on it. If it holds firm, then you may mow it.
How to mow
Be wary of trimming your newly installed turf. Mow along with the lawn instead of doing it across. After mowing several times, you may switch the direction of your mowing pattern. Before mowing, ensure that your lawn is dry. Watering a new grass installation will cause it to clump and tear.
Don’t forget to sharpen your mower’s blades. By doing this method results in clean cuts, minimizing the shock to grass. Also, please set it to the highest setting possible. It will prevent cutting too close to the root.
How high you will trim your grass will depend on the variety that you have. Some types will thrive when mown shorter. Kentucky bluegrass and fine fescues will do better when mowed 1.5 to 2 inches high while still new. Tall fescues and ryegrass’ recommended mowing height is 2 to 3 inches. The standard is not to remove more than one-third of the blade. Remember to leave your lawn longer during hot weather. It will help provide shade for new crowns and on cold periods. It is good to keep it short for rapid growth.
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Before Mowing
Your new turf must receive adequate water. Hence, start watering right after the grass installation. You may do it three times a day for the first two weeks. During hot summer days, you may water your lawn more frequently. New sod will dry out faster under hot weather. It may turn brown and shrink.
As much as possible, do not step on your new sod. Advise your family members to avoid the area. Heavy foot traffic will damage your lawn since it is still taking time to root. Walking on it will cause depressions that may result in uneven growth.
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After mowing
After your first mowing, you can start gradually reducing the watering frequency. If the grass has established firm roots, it will survive even without watering on some days. Unlike newly sodded plants, they will not dry out. You can now water your lawn on alternate days. You can start with watering twice a day, every second day. As time goes by, you can even water once every three days.
The optimal time for watering is early in the morning and late in the evenings. At these times, there is minimal evaporation. Evaporation will prevent your lawn from getting its essential nutrients. Consider investing in a timed sprinkler. That way, your lawn will receive the optimal amount of water at the set ideal time.
Mowing is a crucial step in taking care of your new grass installation. When done the right way, your lawn will grow thicker and fuller. It can also ward off weeds by choking them. At the same time, this can also help get rid of insects. When a newly sodded lawn is mown, portions of grass leaves are cut off. Also, it forces the plant to regrow the leaves that will facilitate photosynthesis. This method also promotes the sprouting of more shoots. The new shoots will result in an increased surface area. It is one of the signs that the turf is of good quality. A high-quality lawn can tolerate heavy foot traffic without losing its lush color.
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