Whether you're considering installing a new sod lawn or have recently installed sod, you'll want to make those first few days and weeks of ownership as productive as possible. Doing so will allow you to protect your investment and ensure your new sod remains beautiful and healthy. That's exactly why it's critical you're aware of what it takes to take care of your newly installed sod lawn.

We've compiled a list of the four most common questions customers ask about caring for newly installed sod. They are: How soon should I water it after installation, how long will it take before my lawn can tolerate regular use, how long should I wait to mow my lawn after installing it, and how will I know if my lawn is firmly established?

1. When should I water it after installation?

Our client hand watering his lawn in Gilbert, AZ.

The first thing you should know about installation day is that if you don't water your lawn immediately after installation, your sod will dry out and begin to weaken. So, the best way to avoid these issues is to water it the moment your technicians install it. Your goal should be to ensure the roots of your newly installed sod remain moist. After your first watering session, you'll want to water your lawn several more times that same day.

After your first watering session, you'll want to water your lawn several more times on installation day to ensure the best results.

2. How long will it take before I can use my lawn like normal?

Our recent client's two black dogs playing on their lawn in Chandler, AZ.

It will take roughly one month before you can use your lawn like normal and begin treating it as you'd treat any other lawn. So, until you've reached the four-week mark after installing your sod lawn, you must limit foot traffic on it to avoid wear and tear. This might seem like a long time, but it's still short compared to the eight to ten weeks you could wait if you had a newly seeded lawn.

3. How long should I wait to mow my lawn after installation?

Our client mowing his new lawn in Queen Creek, AZ.

The key to mowing your new sod lawn is giving your root system time to establish itself. It generally takes a full two weeks from the day you install the sod lawn before you can mow it. When mowing your new sod, just remember to cut it high. Preferably, your lawn mowing pro shouldn't mow more than a fourth to a third of the total length of your grass during your sod's first mow.

4. How do I know whether my sod is completely established or not?

A well maintained lawn in front of a grey home in Gilbert, AZ.

Foot traffic can be detrimental to newly installed sod. That's why you want to confirm that your lawn has rooted deep enough to withstand normal use before you begin treating it like any other lawn. You can confirm whether your sod is established by pulling the grass in several spots of your lawn. If it's hard to pull up, the sod is well-established. If the turf comes up easily, then it needs more time.

Ready to transition to a sod lawn? We can help, call us today!

We hope we've answered your questions regarding how best to care for newly installed sod. However, if you have more questions, we'd be happy to answer them. We've been helping property owners with lawn care and sod installation since 2012 and look forward to being there for you too!

In addition to being twice named the Best Landscaping Company in the Valley, we firmly believe in doing right by our clients. It's part of what makes Little John's Lawns who we are today. So, if you're a property owner in Gilbert, Chandler, Mesa, or anywhere nearby in Arizona and are in need of sod installation or repair, we'd love the opportunity to help. Call us today at 480-264-5399 for an estimate.