New sod must be carefully watered during its first summer, but it could be easier than nurturing seeds in hot and dry weather. Never ever water rolled up turf. Were an impatient lot. April through September or late summer, early fall is the best time to lay sod. With this particular range, daytime air temperatures should be at least 80 degrees. Planting sod at the right time and temperature helps ensure that the roots become established quickly. Check the soil to be sure, and add water if needed. Many people ask, What temperature is too cold to lay sod? What temperature is suitable for sodding? If there is no potential for frost or freeze, water the ground and lay the dormant sod end to end. Sod heating is common in hot weather. It releases nitrogen,. Walking over it may damage your grass. You may also have difficulty inserting trowels or shovels into . Here are some key things to be aware of when laying sod in the spring: Summer is a tough time to lay sod. Water lightly several times each day over the next two weeks so that the soil remains moist to a depth of 4 inches. She's the creator of MarmaladeMom.org, dedicated to family fun and delicious food, and released a book titled "More Than Pot Roast: Fast, Fresh Slow Cooker Recipes.". Its better to have 2 or 3 deliveries of fresh turf over the course of several days, than it is to have lots of turf sitting on pallets going rotten. Moderate temperatures are best when laying new sod. If it is below 25 degrees, you should not plant sod. As a result, some of your grass may die off. Laying sod may not be an easy task, but with the assistance of lawn care experts, you can stay properly informed and keep your lawn healthy. How Do You Get Rid Of Hard Calcium Deposits In The Shower? Water thoroughly one or two days before the sod is delivered so that the top several inches of soil are wetted. Please fill out the form and we will contact you to help you with your sod installation. The team at Coastal Turf has over 15 years of experience, and a passionate team behind them. And you will need to work fast. After the sod is installed the initial watering should soak the sod and hydrate the soil below many inches. Cultured sod comes with a pre-established root system to get it off to a quick start. Over time, I have made my passion a way of life. The box contains three bottles of liquid fertilizer powered byCatalyst TechnologyTMto nano-size the nutrients for efficiency and effectiveness. You'll need to be diligent in keeping it watered, and ideally water the soil before putting down your sod. Lawn Disease Control That's it! (and trust me, you DO want to avoid sod heating). Overall, sod can be laid when neither the ground nor sod is frozen. Challenges to installing sod in the summer. Tight-fitting seams will also grow together and disappear quicker than loose-fitting ones. You dont want to, The best time of day to lay sod is in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler. In general, temperatures between 32-58 F (0-14 C) run the risk of damaging sod, while temperatures below 32 F (0 C) can be fatal. However, spring and autumn are the best seasons for sod. However, for the best results, sod should be laid in early spring or late autumn. Broadly there are two kinds of grasses, warm-season and cold-season. Rake the area . Choosing the correct temperature range for establishing your St. Augustine grass allows you to quickly fill your yard with healthy turf and prevent widespread weed infestation. choose a shady spot for your lawn that will get some protection from the hot summer sun. Fix any areas that dip to avoid issues with drainage. You will want to make sure that you keep your sod extra moist to maintain root healthespecially if you get an early hot day. The best time to lay the sod is late summer into the late fall (September-November). Although turfgrass is not affected by freezing weather, it is dormant when it is cold and active when it is warm. In general, though, the ideal time to lay sod is when daytime temperatures are cool between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. When the turf tries to absorb moisture from the ground, the ice freezes the blades, killing your new sod. Laying sod is the best choice when it's too hot to plant and nurture grass seed. Planting sod at the right time and temperature helps ensure that the roots become established quickly. All of these factors make it more difficult for sod to take root and establish itself. We may earn a commission from your purchases. Continuous cycles of too wet and too dry soil conditions will stress new sod. Our yard looks amazing and we will be life long customers. It is very hot and sometimes drought prone depending on your location. Worst Time of Year for Lay Sod. Installing and caring for your sod doesnt have to be hard, but doing it properly will protect your investment for years to come. However, the article does go on to say that laying sod in the winter is possible, especially if the temperatures are nice something that happens often in sunny Colorado. Select from our family of premium sod varieties and other top-quality turfgrass brands. If sodding a hillside or steep slope, lay sod horizontally. April through September or late summer, early fall is the best time to lay sod. At lower temperatures, the ground might freeze, preventing the roots from becoming established. All you have to do is continue to water your sod and avoid walking on it. The sod will therefore die. Water shadier spots less than the sunnier spots to help reduce disease. How to Market Your Business with Webinars. Be sure to keep an eye on the weather. In general, though, the ideal time to lay sod is when daytime temperatures are cool between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in an area with harsh winters, wait until spring when temperatures have warmed up enough to support new grass growth. With this particular range, daytime air temperatures should be at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit or higher -- this turf species thrives and grows rapidly in hot weather. Dont lay sod too early in the spring or too late in the fall. Just dont leave it rolled up or the situation will worsen and quickly. You may see weeds growing between the sod patches after installation if there is any spacing since their roots are actively spreading through the soil. You also run the risk of having weeds invade before your grass has had a chance to grow on its own. New sods roots are tender and highly vulnerable to extreme temperatures. Finding a quality provider for sod can be daunting at times. As long as the ground isnt frozen, you can lay sod any time of year. Lastly, ensure your new lawn is properly maintained and watered. This is one of those times when many hands make light work. The best time to lay your new sod is when night temperatures range between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If, when you have laid your turf it looks yellow, its probably OK. Take pictures anyway and email them to your supplier. If the weather is hot and dry during these early weeks, water it up to once a day or as needed to keep it from browning. Anchor the sod using wooden stakes or dowels. Some of us even wonder, how much does it cost to re-sod a yard?. We recommend our. Laying sod is a big job, but its worth it when you have a beautiful, green lawn. Youll need to make sure the ground is prepared properly, which can be time-consuming, and then you have to lay the sod down carefully so that it takes root. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Is It Safe to Lay St. Augustine Sod in October? Keep all foot traffic and lawnmowers off the grass until it is established. You should be sure to follow our installation guide which can be foundhere. Sod dries out quickly, which can cause the roots to die before they become established. Home; Schwerdt-Blog; Autor Planting on a cool day helps, but you also must provide plenty of water. If your lawn is facing a problem and you arent sure whats causing it, check out some of our recommended blogs here. You might get wet knees or muddy hands but that doesnt matter. Avoid installing sod if it's colder than 25 degrees. Avoid installing sod in summer as the extra water required for establishment could result in added disease pressure and increased water bills. Your sod will not green up until the spring. Sod also discourages soil erosion, provides instant landscape coverage, and can help eliminate the need for pesticides and herbicides. Find the right grass for your location and needs with our Sod Selector tool. How long does it take for sod to root? As a result, the grass does not have sufficient soil establishment to survive the colder months -- significant dieback can occur. The successful establishment of a new lawn depends on careful soil preparation, as well as planting grass at the right time. Here are some other tips for laying sod. Similar 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. From fertilizer to disease control, our goal is to provide you with the knowledge and tools to ensure you have the best looking lawn on the block. You should find the email address on your delivery paperwork. Preparation is key, so you should allow a few weeks before youre ready to start the project. Then start to water less frequently and for longer periods. Make small piles of turf on the prepared soil. It's best to wait if watering your sod will be difficult. The type of grass youre using will also play a role in when you should lay sod. 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. If you decide to go this route, remember to: The fourth thing to consider is your lawn. Remove all large stones, soil clods, tree roots and other debris from the surface. In cool weather, you need to water less frequently. There are a few things to consider when deciding when to lay sod. Creating a lawn by laying sod is simpler than babying grass seed along, but its not without its hazards. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I grew up in a lush New York neighborhood where many people concerned themselves with lawn care. It is, however, best to do so in the spring or early autumn. You can successfully lay sod during any season, but first, its good to know how to lay sod no matter what time of year it is: The early fall or mid-fall tends to be the best time to plant sod. Before rolling out the soil, make sure it has thawed. You can always lay it properly the next day. Once its down, youll need to water it regularly until it becomes established. Continuous watering can make your lawns surface soft. 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. The links above are pointed to a sponsors website. When you lay this turf during freezing temperatures, the sod will remain dormant until the spring season. In this guide, well let you know how to choose the best time to lay sod in your yard, so you can get the most beautiful lawn possible. Laying fescue in summer is more problematic, because as a cool weather grass it's susceptible to the heat. If it rains 1/2" in a week, turn on the irrigation to make up the remaining 1/2". This will help to lock the sod rolls together once installed. Internationale Marketing News von Yvette Schwerdt. Even though the British Climate is unpredictable, we usually know that June, July, August and sometimes September bring spells of hot weather. Timing will vary by several days or even weeks, depending on the arrival of winter in each region. It's never too late to start laying the ground! Rainfall Another factor to consider is the amount of rainfall in your area. Conduct a soil test to ensure your soil has the right balance of proper nutrients. If when you are laying your turf it feels warm, smells horrible (it should smell fresh like damp soil), is very discoloured or just seems wrong. As a trusted lawn care company in South Carolina, we have a track record of using top-of-the-line products, and delivering exceptional results. If you must lay sod early, try to wait until late spring and position the grass in a sunny area. Here are some key things to be aware of when laying sod in the winter: Spring is the second best time of year to lay sod, and in certain cases (depending on where you live), it can be an even better time to lay sod. In mild climates, you can lay sod almost year round as long as the ground isn't frozen or a frost isn't expected. If youre going to sow sod in the summer, make sure you have a plan to keep it moist until its established. Always have enough helpers on hand, you dont 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. To learn more about the nutrients new grass needs, readWhen to Fertilize Newly Installed Sod. For Tall Fescue, a cool season grass, apply up to 2" of water a week during the height of summer and 1" of water the rest of the year. Keeping your lawn in tip top shape is crucial in the journey of homeownership. Whether youre looking to overseed, patch up bare spots or start a new lawn, our varieties of warm and cool season grass seed will ensure your landscape project is completed properly. . But in general, here in Florida, you can have a new sod lawn installed most any month. If youre laying sod in a sunny area, you can do so year-round, as long as the temperature is right. This will result in a professional-looking job that you can be proud of. You dont want to lay sod in the middle of a heatwave or a cold snap. Also, since sod is heavy, its hard to maneuver over frozen ground so you wont be able to position it properly. Using biodegradable or wooden stakes to anchor the sod rolls will also help prevent the pieces from sliding out of place, especially during a heavy rain event. High-quality artificial grass for garden, playground, football, field hockey, tennis, putting green, and multi-purpose. Aim to have at least 3 pairs of hands on site ready to receive the delivery. Joe's client base includes professional turf managers serving the lawn care, sports turf and golf course industries. Consider the following factors when deciding when to lay sod: Its never too late to lay sod! Sod can be installed at almost any time of the year. But there are other benefits to laying sod in the winter as well. If you are working on selling your home, for example, having sod in place can help you sell it by improving the aesthetic and eliminating the appearance of mud. In a perfect situation, anything below 40 degrees Fahrenheit would be too cold. During the growing season -- especially when the temperature is above 80 degrees Fahrenheit with high humidity -- sod tries to continue growing even after being rolled. By planting within the correct temperature range, the St. Augustine lawn should be firmly rooted in approximately two weeks. Enter a Melbet promo code and get a generous bonus, An Insight into Coupons and a Secret Bonus, Organic Hacks to Tweak Audio Recording for Videos Production, Bring Back Life to Your Graphic Images- Used Best Graphic Design Software, New Google Update and Future of Interstitial Ads. The third thing to consider is the amount of rainfall. Once prepared, the soil surface should be firm and covered with about one-half inch of loose soil. Unlike other grass species, St. Augustine (Stenotaphrum secundatum) turf is not typically seeded because it spreads easily through above ground stolons. Mid to late spring is an ideal time. Their biggest concern is with homeowners who just dont know enough about sod to properly prepare the ground and sod during a dormant season. Contact us today for a FREE quote! The location of your sod will also affect when you should lay it. As soon as the lorry arrives with your turf on board, start unstacking the pallet. Unfortunately you wont always get to choose when you lay your sod, and planting sod in summer heat or winter cold can affect your choice of grass. If you absolutely must lay sod in the fall, do so as early in the season as possible. Also, make sure it contains grass varieties with current genetics. Any delay in getting your turf unrolled and installed could result in sod heating. At lower temperatures, the ground might freeze, preventing the roots from becoming established. But dont wait too long either. The days are getting longer, the temperatures are warming up, and the rainfall is typically plentiful. Whatever you do, dont leave the turf on the pallet hoping it will cool down. The reason is that the sod on the edges is the most likely to dry out. Menu. Lay your strips or slabs of sod in an orderly fashion, check for any openings, and press firmly so it can begin the rooting process. Laying Grass In The Spring Early spring is the best time to lay sod because it is not dried out by the humidity. Buy an. What Is The Difference Between Bonding And HardWall. Water the new lawn once a day during the first week, ideally early in the day so the sod has plenty of daylight time to absorb the water. In general, though, the ideal time to lay sod is when daytime temperatures are cool -- between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Provide 1" of water a week for warm season lawns - all season long while the grass is green. You may need to order a bit extra to account for any discrepancies. 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. Any warm temperature exposure stimulates the grass out of dormancy for active growth. 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