Do you see a pattern here, we want to do everything we can to stay below 130 F. Our backyard was a small project and we were able to install all the rolls in about 3 hours so we didn’t have to worry too much about them heating up to the point that they would be damaged. With the right type of grass and the proper techniques, yes! Tools for Laying Sod. One of the largest benefits of laying sod in the winter is the rains that accompanies winter and spring in Texas, with between 3-4 inches of precipitation. Don’t lay Tall Fescue sod in the late spring or summer. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. Similarly to all other seasons, water is very important and you will need to dampen the soil prior to laying the sod and continuously water the sod to ensure it stays moist. As always staying informed is the best way to ensure your projects succeed so for more information or to just learn more about sod and how it can work for your lawn check out additional information at Red Hen Turf Farms PDF library. Plug trays are the perfect and affordable way to fill in spots or test the performance of a grass in your lawn. Installation Steps. Our friends at Red Hen Turf Farm delivered the sod for us. High temperatures can easily burn your Sod and make it 3x more difficult for it to grow correctly. Although it is easier to install sod during the cooler seasons, it is indeed possible to install sod in the summer. Water shadier spots less than the sunnier spots to help reduce disease. Water your lawn early in the morning, midday and early afternoon to help make sure it does not dry out. 1” Drill Auger Bit – For 72 Ct Plug Tray, Highlander II Fescue Grass Seed – 50 lbs, Highlander II Fescue Grass with Ryegrass Seed – 50 lbs. This does not harm the plant but might make it hard to unroll. Get the perfect liquid fertilizer for your grass type. Growth slows in fall and winter. The newly establishing sod roots originate at the soil’s surface where temperatures closely resemble the temperatures of the air. A couple years ago, he put sod in the front yard, and we liked it so well, we decided to do it again in the backyard. The time to lay sod is early morning before it gets too hot. Then like any lawn, give it an inch of water a week, more during hot summer … Taper back watering in the shadier spots since these areas are more prone to fungus and disease pressure. When the sod is laid in the fall, it can be properly … Only issue might be if it isn't on flat ground.....then it could be a problem. As a general rule, keep the soil moist three inches below the surface when establishing. Doug has some tips for you on how to lay sod during the Summer. And if you water at night, the sod goes to bed wet, which can encourage fungal disease. You will need to continuously water the grass throughout the winter and its dormancy. Click here for your FREE garden and landscape journal- the first step to gardening success! Keep your lawn moist, but do not overwater it—if you do this, it will be susceptible to disease. How Late in the Year Can You Put Sod Down?. Is The Best Time To Lay New Sod Grass Spring, Summer or Fall? Correct preparation makes laying sod an easy DIY project. Grow Your Best Lawn with Weekly Lawn Care Tips, Tricks and Advice, During COVID-19 Sod Solutions is Open and Shipping Products -. It needs to be absolutely drenched 2-3 times a day in the summer,but it will be fine if it gets that water. Good rainfall means better grass growth, and less watering that you’ll have to perform to maintain your lawn. Here are some key things to be aware of when laying sod in the summer: Keep your lawn moist, but do not overwater it—if you do this, it will be susceptible to disease. Lay sod on a cool, overcast day to minimize plant stress. Fall in Colorado is the best time to lay sod. Prior to delivery of your sod do any final grading of the soil and a good soaking of the soil helps since in dry hot weather the soil surface can reach … If you lay sod in summer, then you need an installed irrigation system to keep the sods moist. Find the right grass for your location and needs. Here are some key things to aware of when laying sod in the fall: A good number of people, particularly in the south where warm season grasses are grown, believe that laying sod in the winter isn’t possible. Why is fall the best time to have your sod grass installed? The cost of sod installation is not cheap, so be sure and keep a close eye on the new grass throughout day and especially during the summertime. It should be laid as soon as possible, or within one day after delivery. A utility knife or sharp spade is handy for cutting sod to fit irregular areas. This slowing of the growth makes sure that the plant can conserve resources to survive the summer. In truth, more sod is actually lost to heat stress in the summer than to winter’s moderate freezes. Here are some key things to be aware of when laying sod in the spring: Summer is a tough time to lay sod. Water your lawn early in the morning, midday and early afternoon to help make sure it does not dry out. Laying sod is a gratifying experience—you get a new, green lawn in no time! There was an error submitting your subscription. How to Take Care of Sod. ft. More isn’t always better. Laying fescue in summer is more problematic, because as a cool weather grass it's susceptible to the heat. Now, onto the ideal sod laying season: fall. The best time to lay sod, however, is in early and mid-fall when temperatures are cooler but grass continues to grow. You will take more care when it comes to laying sod, firstly because of the cost, second the effort you have to put in to lay it. Having a plush green lawn in easier than you think! It is very hot and sometimes drought prone depending on your location. Laying sod is such a fast way to start new grass that it is almost no exaggeration to say it gives you an "instant lawn. Until recently I had always thought that spring and fall were the only times I would try laying sod. Summer is the least preferable time because you may need extra watering before grass takes root, and you can create light and disease as a result. Doug and our son Nick, recently laid the sod in the backyard. When laying sod in the winter in the south, the sod can look dormant, but dormancy is just like hibernation—it will be off-color and appear dead, but will regain its color in the spring when temperatures warm up. Different times of the year may be better depending on where you live, however from a broad perspective, early and mid-fall are usually the best times of the year. Seed is best planted in spring, fall planting can be tough.The only con to laying sod (besides the … The soil in the planting area should be moist, not soggy or dry. Similar to other times of the year, you’ll want to maintain a healthy watering schedule that keeps the sod moist, but not too wet during the first 14 days of fall. These tips for laying sod during the summer will help you to create that gorgeous lawn that you have always dreamed of. Click here for your FREE garden and landscape journal- the first step to gardening success! Our friends at Red Hen Turf Farm delivered the sod for us. We recommend our. The box contains three bottles of liquid fertilizer powered by Catalyst TechnologyTM to nano-size the nutrients for efficiency and effectiveness. each. After the first week, cut back watering to every other day, tapering off to just twice a week by the third week. Watch the turf closely. Benefits of Laying Sod in the Fall. Stagger strips in a brick-like pattern, and be sure that all pieces fit tightly together. Be sure to fertilize your lawn to promote healthy rooting and establishment. Planning and having your property prepped and ready when the sod is delivered is always important. Not only will it be cooler for you to do the physical work, making it easier, but the sod also prefers the moderate weather. If you need to lay sod in the summer, be ready to water your new lawn very often as a means of maintaining its health. There is plenty of time between fall and winter for the sod to root and establish prior to dormancy which means in the winter, your lawn will be healthy, full, and easy to green up in the spring. Water often to make sure of this. But can sod be laid in the winter? Most people assume that the best time to lay new sod grass is in the spring or summer months, but actually the autumn season is the most ideal time to lay your new grass. It’s good to have: A sod-knife with at least a 2-inch blade (this is the one I use), Lay the sod on slightly moistened soil, staggering the seams so they are offset. The turf should take about ten days to root. spring and fall were the only times I would try laying sod. However, installing a sod in the summer requires a great deal of water to compensate for the less than ideal climate. At Sod Solutions, we are often asked the question, “When is the best time to lay new sod?” Knowing when to lay sod ensures a beautiful, successful yard. Stake each piece to … Sod can be installed at almost any time of the year. Wilted leaves mean that the soil is dry and/or the roots are not penetrating into the real soil. If I lay sod right now (with frequent watering) will it successfully grow? Sometimes aerating, seeding and watering are just not enough to get that lush, green lawn so many people desire. Plant sod in spring or summer when the grass is actively growing. Subscribe to our e-newsletter below if you haven’t done so already to receive the latest updates from Sod University. Also, sod can be laid pretty much anytime during the growing season, though spring and fall are best. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this. Ideally, fresh sod should have been cut no more than 24 hours prior to delivery. People think that either the sod is brown and therefore dead, or that they don’t need to water it—both of those statements are wrong. We’ll help you make your house a welcoming home every day, all year long. Do not be concerned about this. But I realized that with the right plan I could install the sod anytime during the year, even over frozen ground. And while everything has been going well we have had our fair share of weather delays. Complete Program 9 Bottle Annual Fertilizer Subscription. If the temperatures are freezing, it could mean your roots/rhizomes freeze, harming your newly laid sod. After so much effort and money, a forlorn lawn that resembles a haunted house from a horror flick is the last thing you want to see, so definitely find time to take care of the new sod whether you get time to take care of yourself or not. Spring is the second best time to lay sod and is the preferable time for warm season grasses such as centipede, zoysia, bermuda, and St. Augustine that become dormant in the winter. During the summer the temperature is hot and there’s too much sun exposure. "Of course, there is usually a fair amount of prep work involved, depending on the situation, and the sod must be watered and monitored carefully until it is established. If you do notice that the sod is heating up on the pallets you will want to unstack and unroll them and soak them with water. On a slope: Lay the rolls across the slope. You’ve to water the sods consistently. Avoid installing sod in summer as the extra water required for establishment could result in added disease pressure and increased water bills. more information Accept. Find the right grass for your location and needs with our Sod Selector tool. You will continue to lay sod, butting the strips tightly together and staggering all end joints. Once you've completed the laborious task of soil preparation, laying sod will seem easy in comparison—especially in lawns that are symmetrical or rectangular in shape. Please try again. You should be sure to follow our installation guide which can be found here. In the summer, the sod must be laid quickly after delivery, but in the winter, it can be stored longer without fear of it overheating and dying. Then you can reduce the frequency after the first week. During cooler months, you can wait 48 hours. And during the heat of the summer months this can be the most critical part of the process since any delays can take a toll on the sod and increase the possibility of it getting damaged by the heat. Believe it or not, the most ideal time is either early or mid-fall. Here are some key things to be aware of when laying sod in the summer: The New Lawn Starter Box is designed for newly sodded, seeded or plugged lawns. The three bottles work together to establish thick, healthy grass. You can put sod down any time of the year, but the type of grass and environmental conditions determine the optimal season for laying sod. In truth, more sod is actually lost to heat stress in the summer than to winter’s moderate freezes. The annual subscription includes three seasonal boxes for spring, summer and fall. Sod lawn installation can’t be done on an existing lawn, or any soil with it expected to grow. Absolutely nothing wrong with laying sod at any time of the year as long as it gets the water it needs. Success! If you lay sod in the heat of summer, moisten the surface of the planting area before putting down the turf. Aside from renting a sod cutter or tiller to remove your existing lawn, you’ll need to make sure you have the necessary tools and equipment to make sure you get the job done right. Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time. After the new sod is laid, follow our watering instructions to ensure successful establishment of the root system - and happy, green grass! Sod Lawn Installation Tips. I want to lay either bentgrass or bermuda Final step, once you've laid all the sod, water the lawn three times per day the first week, twice a day for a … of grass seed than laying 11 rolls of sod weighing 25 lbs. "Floratam" is the most common variety, giving a dense, green lawn in warm months. Laying sod in your lawn at the right time is what can give your garden the perfect look. People believe that when it’s hot outside, it’s safe to lay sod. It is best to install the same day you receive it, or at least tarp the unused sod to prevent the cold wind from freezing it. As mentioned, you want to have the right type of sod and plan to sod on a day when temperatures are mild and the ground is not frozen. Here are some key things to be aware of when laying sod in the winter: Spring is the second best time to lay sod, and in certain cases (depending on where you live), it can be an even better time to lay sod. Obviously the sod you are referring to isn't. Once your fresh sod arrives from a farm or a sod distributor, ideally sod should be installed within 24 hours. However, if you're working with an irregular shape, establish a starting point by aligning the sod in the center of your lawn and working from the inside out, toward the perimeter. You’ll get better results in highly shaded areas using 1/2 lb. Sketching a diagram helps with sorting out the width and length of the sod. Although you can plant St. Augustine grass at other times, in north Florida avoid cold winter months or hot, dry summer periods. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Be sure to keep an eye on weather. The window for laying Tall Fescue sod in sod zone 2 is typically from September through April. Invest in your lawn with Lawnifi Liquid Fertilizer. 100 sq. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. When dormant, grass turns brown. Cold, dry winds can dry out the roots quickly and cause major issues. Simple Easy Creative is a new kind of online lifestyle magazine, one that takes it’s inspiration from the best of Midwestern traditions, and makes them new, modern and inspiring. Once the sod is installed it’s time to get some water on it, a good deep soaking is what you want for the first 5 days. 1) The first step is to create visual representation of the installation area. Prior to delivery of your sod do any final grading of the soil and a good soaking of the soil helps since in dry hot weather the soil surface can reach 130 F. Always have enough helpers on hand, you don’t want the sod to be stacked on the pallet for much longer than 24 hours, they can easily heat up to 130 F in that amount of time. ft. of sod vs. seed for 100 sq. Check out the best time to lay sod in Florida. When temperatures start to exceed 90 degrees, grass dehydrates and could potentially be severely damaged … You will want the soil to be damp three to four inches below the surface. After Sod Install Odd Jobs LLC; Before Sod Install Odd Jobs LLC; Common sense would tell you to lay Sod in the summer, and that’s actually a bad idea. You can successfully lay sod in any season, and we’ll explain how here. Water thoroughly one or two days before the sod is delivered so that the top several inches of soil are wetted. It also helps find how much sod … Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Once again, follow our installation guide here and be sure to water your lawn as often as possible. The two bottles of Grow are for improved soil health and the single bottle of Maintain is designed to feed the lawn. After the first 30 days of establishment, continue with regular monthly Lawnifi feedings for optimal results during the active growing seasons with the Lawnifi Complete Program 9 Bottle Annual Fertilizer Subscription. Four basic steps for successfully installing a sod turfgrass lawn Our installation guide is comprehensive and will help you install your lawn appropriately. This is because the temperatures have cooled down from the summer highs and you tend to get more precipitation during these months. A few rain showers and 100 degree days can take their toll on you and the project. If you don't like your lawn, you can always replace the sod. Sod left outside overnight might freeze in cold weather! Spring is also a great time of year to complete this landscaping project, but due to the fact that grass continues to grow despite the cooler weather in early and mid-fall, fall months win this close battle between spring and fall seasons as the most ideal time to lay sod. If the temperatures are cold, you may need to only water the lawn once every 3-5 days. Your sod will not green up until the spring. I live in vegas, it about 100-108 degrees and rising. Tiki is loving the new grass to run and play on! Decorating, DIY projects, parties, gardening, good food, family and fun–we cover it all! We’ll explore a few reasons why fall is recommended. Laying sod in the early fall or mid-fall tends to be the best time to lay sod. 17. Make sure there are no more opportunities for a freeze before laying new sod. It simply doesn’t work. Overall, you can successfully start a new lawn at any time of the year and we hope this blog helps you make a decision on when to sod your new lawn for optimal results. We’ve been upgrading the backyard this summer with new landscaping and the She Shed. You will want to make sure that you keep your sod extra moist to maintain root health—especially if you get an early hot day. Learn more about The Benefits of Laying Sod in the Winter or check out our installation guide. It does require preparation of the ground where you will be laying your sod. Fall Sod Growth. Now check your email to confirm your subscription. 18. Once the heat of summer hits and water and nutrients become harder to come by, the grass slows its’ growth down and can actually go dormant in the most dry and hot conditions. (Summer installation requires more attention to watering!) To learn more about the nutrients new grass needs, read When to Fertilize Newly Installed Sod. It will root more slowly than bermudagrass sod does in … And during the heat of the summer months this can be the most critical part of the process since any delays can take a toll on the sod and increase the possibility of it getting damaged by the heat. And our son Nick, recently laid the sod for us it about 100-108 degrees and rising together establish! Only issue might be if it gets the water it needs to be absolutely 2-3. Few rain showers and 100 degree days can take their toll on you and the proper,... People believe that when it’s hot outside, it’s safe to lay sod in your appropriately. 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