How Long Should You Wait to Cut After Laying Sod?

New sod needs time to establish before being cut. After being laid down, the sod will need plenty of water for the roots to grow down into the ground. The length of the roots is reflected in the length of the grass blades.

Rooting Sod

• After planting sod, a watering schedule is set in place to keep the sod moist and promote growing. As the grass blades grow longer, the roots grow deeper. Sod grass blades must be at least 4 to 6 inches long before mowing. Sod may be ready to be mowed in as little as three weeks of planting, according to the University of California.

Testing the Sod

• You can test the root system by gently lifting up a corner of the sod. If the sod moves a little, it may not have a good root system yet. If the sod stays in place, the roots have grown deep enough for the lawn to be safely mowed.

Mowing the Sod

• After the sod has a good root system and doesn't lift up from the ground, it is time to mow. Only remove a third of an inch off the top. If you need to mow the grass to a height of 2 inches, mow the grass more frequently, removing only a third of an inch each time, until you reach the 2-inch height, which is the best height for healthy lawns.