Sod Installation in Toronto West

New sod starts to send out roots almost immediately after installation. Within the first week, it will begin knitting into the topsoil. Generally, you can expect initial rooting to occur by about 7–10 days, and the sod is usually fairly well “grabbed” on to the ground by 2–3 weeks after installation. At this point (around two weeks), if you gently tug on the sod, it should resist lifting as the roots have anchored into the soil.

Keep in mind that fully establishing a deep root system takes a bit longer. Typically, sod will develop strong, deep roots over the course of about 4–6 weeks (around one month or slightly more) as it continues to grow into the underlying soil. During this establishment phase, it’s important to care for the sod properly (especially with watering – see below) so those roots can grow. The good news is that you don’t have to wait for full deep rooting to start enjoying your lawn – light use can usually begin after the first couple of weeks, but heavy traffic should be avoided until the lawn is more mature.

You should wait about two weeks after installation before mowing your new sod. During the first 14 days, the sod is still knitting into the soil and the roots are delicate – mowing too soon could disturb the sod or even accidentally suck it up if it isn’t rooted yet. After two weeks, check your sod’s progress: do the gentle tug test on a corner of a sod piece. If it feels firmly rooted and doesn’t lift easily, that indicates your sod has established enough to mow.

When you do mow for the first time, take a few precautions to avoid stressing the young grass. Cut high: set your mower to the highest setting so you’re just trimming the top of the grass blades (you don’t want to remove more than one-third of the blade length). This helps the sod keep more leaf area for continued growth and reduces shock. It’s also a smart idea to water a little less the day before mowing – you want the ground firm, not soggy, when the mower goes over it. Letting the soil dry out just slightly (without letting the grass wilt) will firm up the turf and prevent the mower wheels from sinking or leaving ruts in the soft new lawn. And of course, ensure your mower blade is sharp to get a clean cut. By waiting the proper time and mowing carefully that first mow, you’ll set your new sod lawn on the right path to a smooth, healthy turf.

Yes – consistent daily watering is critical for new sod. Freshly laid sod has very shallow roots, so it must be kept moist on top and underneath to survive and grow. Plan to water your new sod every single day for the first two weeks, without exception. In fact, for the first week, you’ll likely need to water twice per day (morning and late afternoon/evening) especially if the weather is warm or dry, to ensure the sod and topsoil stay consistently damp. The goal is to keep the sod uniformly moist at all times during those initial 10-14 days so the young roots can penetrate into the soil below and not dry out. Missing a day or allowing the sod to get dry can cause sections of it to brown or even die before rooting.

When watering new sod, it’s better to water deeply rather than just a light sprinkle. A good rule of thumb is to water enough that the water soaks through the sod layer and wets about the top 3–4 inches of soil underneath. You can check by lifting a corner of the sod and feeling the soil – it should be wet (but not swampy). Deep watering encourages the roots to grow downward into the soil in search of moisture, which helps the sod establish. Light surface watering isn’t as effective because it might not penetrate the entire sod strip.

After the first couple of weeks, once your sod has begun to root and you see new growth, you can gradually reduce the frequency of watering. For example, in week three you might transition to watering every other day (depending on weather). By week four or so, you can usually shift toward a more typical lawn watering schedule (such as 2–3 deep waterings per week). However, keep monitoring your lawn – hot summer conditions may require more frequent watering initially. The key is not to let the sod dry out during the establishment period. Consistent moisture is your new lawn’s best friend in the first month. Afterward, you can water on a regular schedule to keep your lawn healthy, but those first 14 days are when daily watering is absolutely needed.

Feel free to reach out to us – we’re always happy to provide guidance to help you achieve a perfect lawn!