With Memorial Day come and gone, summer has unofficially commenced. Late spring or early summer are opportune times for planting new grass. A simple walk around the neighborhood at this time of the year usually reveals new seed and fertilizer thrown down on neighbors’ lawns in an attempt to fill in bare spots or thicken up sparse areas.
Of course, this part of the year is also a great time for installing a completely new lawn by laying sod before the most oppressive heat and humidity really take hold later in the summer. If you are thinking of installing new turf on your property, st augustine sod jacksonville fl is a very popular choice, especially in shaded neighborhoods and along coastal areas.  Indeed, St. Augustine grass is a familiar covering in the southeastern United States.
Regardless of which turf varietal you choose to install, a common question arises as to when you can start to mow newly laid sod. Here are a few quick pointers regarding this question.
First Lawn Cutting
As a general matter, it usually takes at least fourteen days for the new root system to grow deeply enough into the Earth to hold the new strips of sod firmly in place. The crucial test is to tug gently, but firmly, on the new sod. If it separates from the soil, then the sod has not pegged down adequately enough to allow for mowing, and it should be left alone for at least several more days. By contrast, if the sod remains in place when gently pulled, then the roots have grown deep enough into the soil to allow for the first mowing.
Mowing Tips
The height at which to set the mower is typically a matter of personal preference coupled with common sense. Mowing grass too short can stress the vegetation and make it hard for the greenery to establish a healthy root system. A good rule of thumb is to remove no more than one-third of the overall grass height in each cutting and to time your mowing accordingly. You should mow grass slightly shorter during cooler weather to encourage growth, but leave it somewhat longer during hotter weather to provide shade for new incoming crowns at the soil level.
Once your new sod has had an adequate resting and growth period upon being laid, following these mowing tips should help ensure the lawn’s health and appearance while preserving the significant investment you made in your sod purchase.
Article Submitted By Community Writer
