When can you walk on new turf?

Question

When is safe to let the kids use the new grass?

Stephen · Accepted Answer

Normally 3 weeks as you need to allow the roots to bed into the soil below. And upto 6 or so weeks if used to kick a ball out etc

Denis · Answer

We suggest to 4-6 weeks for normal use and up to 4 months for heavy play.

Tommielee · Answer

i will say it better not to but you can walk on it but i would say give it about a week to set in

Melissa · Answer

I reckon a week . After laying and watered with a sprinkler  each day. But this is coming from a person in Scotland - where it can ran more than down south … keep in mind your weather systems

Peter · Answer

Yes after 48 hours as you need to let new turf settle

James · Answer

### New Lawn from Seed

A new lawn grown from seed is a long-term project. The grass blades are the first thing you see, but the real work is happening underground.

The roots are incredibly delicate and need time to grow strong enough to support the grass and withstand foot traffic.

* **First 2-4 Weeks:** Stay off the lawn completely. The new seedlings are fragile and can be easily crushed or pulled out of the soil. 
Walking on the area can also compact the ground, making it harder for the roots to grow.

* **2-3 Months:** You can introduce light foot traffic, but still be very careful. This is when you might start a gentle, high-setting mowing schedule. Avoid any running, playing, or roughhousing. It's safe to walk across it to water it, but try to avoid treading the same path.

* **4-6 Months:** The grass should be well-established and ready for normal, everyday use. The roots should have grown deep enough to handle more active play like running around. You might even be able to have a game of catch or light sports on it without causing damage.

### New Lawn from Turf

Turf (or sod) is a much faster option because it's essentially a pre-grown lawn. The main goal here is to get the roots from the turf to "knit" into the soil underneath.

* **First 3 Weeks:** Stay off the lawn as much as possible, as the roots are still trying to establish themselves in the soil below. You can walk on it gently to water, but use planks or other flat items to distribute your weight and avoid creating ruts.
* **3-6 Weeks:** The roots should have started to take hold. You can do your first mow and the lawn is ready for light, general use.
* **2-3 Months:** At this point, the lawn should be well-rooted and ready for more active play. You can feel confident letting the kids play without worrying about killing the grass.

### A Few General Tips

* **Watering is key:** For both seeded and turfed lawns, proper watering is crucial, especially in the first few weeks. The goal is to keep the top inch of soil consistently moist to encourage deep root growth.

* **Mowing matters:** When you do start mowing, make sure your mower blades are sharp. Dull blades will tear the grass, which can damage the new growth and make it more susceptible to disease.

* **Pay attention:** The best way to know if your lawn is ready is to look at it. Does it feel firm under your feet? Is it a healthy green color? 
If it looks healthy and established, it's likely ready for more use.

Denis · Answer

Around 2 week if it as taken root and is growing if you can see the lines were it it joined you don’t wanna walk on it

Oleh · Answer

You should usually wait at least 2–3 weeks before walking on new turf, depending on the weather. It’s best to let the grass root firmly into the soil first. For kids playing on it, give it 3–4 weeks to be safe.

Harry · Answer

As long as it’s not damp but best to try to stay off for 6 weeks

Nicholas Liam · Answer

2 weeks after installation due to the ground needing to settle, resulting in a lush lawn

When can you walk on new turf?

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