Lawn leveling - Ask Extension
Hello,
I recently tilled, racked and put down Kentucky Blue Grass sod. The sod was pretty thick so it is higher than existing grass. I also seeded so...
Knowledgebase
Lawn leveling #887069
Asked October 03, 2024, 2:26 PM EDT
Hello,
I recently tilled, racked and put down Kentucky Blue Grass sod. The sod was pretty thick so it is higher than existing grass. I also seeded some bar spots with KBG which is just now starting to sprout. Sod had been down for about a month.
My question is should I level yet this fall or wait until spring? Will mowing low on the new sod be ok so I can level?
Thank you,
Kris
Scott County Minnesota
Expert Response
Hi Kris,
Here’s the U’s guidance on sod:
- “After about 10 to 14 days perform a “tug test” by gently tugging the sod in a few areas to make sure that it has firmly rooted into the soil. If the sod has resistance, it is rooted in and can be treated as an established lawn.”
- You want the sod to be rooted before you mow. Remember that grass roots generally go only as deep as the grass is long, so don’t cut the new sod too short this fall. It may suffer if we have another snowless winter. It’s been very dry, so keep watering regularly until we have a freeze.
Good luck.
