The best time to lay sod is late summer or early fall, when daytime temperatures are still warm and nighttime temperatures are cooler. Insect Identification But there are other benefits to laying sod in the winter as well. Zoysia sod is actually happiest if it's at least 80 degrees, but it will still establish at lower temperatures, at a much slower rate. Make sure you have plenty of sunscreen, are wearing a hat, have enough to eat and most importantly, keep yourselves well hydrated. To learn more about the nutrients new grass needs, readWhen to Fertilize Newly Installed Sod. Take measurements of your yard to ensure you purchase the correct amount of sod. will point you in the right direction. This will help reduce stress on the grass as it adapts to its new environment. These include protecting the ground from erosion, using less water, and having the sod take root and grow as soon as spring hits. Take pictures (preferably with the date and time on them if youre camera lets you do that) and email them immediately. The best time to lay your new sod is when night temperatures range between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ourinstallation guideis comprehensive and will help you install your lawn appropriately. Thats not to say I would recommend it! While it may make sense to wait, sometimes you dont have a choice. 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. Dont sod during the dog days of summer. If it rains 1/2" in a week, turn on the irrigation to make up the remaining 1/2". Over time, I have made my passion a way of life. At lower temperatures, the ground might freeze, preventing the roots from becoming established. Sod rolls can heat up and quickly deteriorate during transport, or while its still stacked on a pallet waiting to be installed. At lower temperatures, the ground might freeze, preventing the roots from becoming established. The best time of year to lay sod is in the spring or fall, when the temperatures are cooler and the rainfall is plentiful. 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 isnt possible. You also run the risk of having weeds invade before your grass has had a chance to grow on its own. In a few hours, you have an instant lawn that looks like its been there forever. When you lay this turf during freezing temperatures, the sod will remain dormant until the spring season. Temperature can also pose a problem. Here are a few things to keep in mind about the temperature and sod: Tammy Slater is the founder of arew.org, a home and garden blog that provides inspiration and resources for homeowners and renters alike. To make the process easier, you can mix one pound of grass seed with one gallon of sand and use a spreader. The expiration date on food is there for a reason. Use the sod calculator to help you estimate the number of square feet of sod you will need. Stagger the rolls so the short seams are touching but create a brick-laying pattern rather than creating a long rut. Click Buy Sod Near Me to locate sod for sale around the area youre located or launch our Sod Sales Tool to get started with entering the amount of desired sod and selecting a type of grass. Water daily until the sod is firmly knitted into the soil. If you have questions you can either call303-654-0202 or fill out our contact form. Till the amendments into the soil to a depth of 4 inches. At the very least you should unroll each piece and expose the plant layer to the light. When youre ready to tackle this project, make sure you do your research and find the best time to lay sod in your area. Additionally, keep off the lawn when its covered in frost. Mid to late spring is an ideal time. Spread 0.25 to 0.5 pounds of grass seed per 1,000 square feet. We dont like to wait. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Located in China and delivers to the world. You should never lay sod on frozen ground: The roots need room to grow, and if the soil is frozen, they cant get established. If you live in an area with harsh winters, wait until spring when temperatures have warmed up enough to support new grass growth. However, there are types of sod that perform differently in this temperature. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Lawnifi 9 Bottle Annual Fertilizer Program. Its easy to over-water, so be careful. Avoid laying sod during times of drought or water restriction. Sod can be laid at any point during the growing season. The type of sod being laid is critical because a hearty sod is more likely to handle our colder winters than others. Just dont leave it rolled up or the situation will worsen and quickly. How to Lay Sod . When the turf tries to absorb moisture from the ground, the ice freezes the blades, killing your new sod. The days are getting shorter, the temperatures are cooling off, and the ground is beginning to harden as it preparing for winter. I think that is where my passion for landscaping and lawn care started. No, it is not too late to lay sod in . The best time to lay your new sod is when night temperatures range between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. How Long Does It Take for Sod to Take Root? What temperature does grass germinate? If a frost hits, stay off the grass to prevent damage. Avoid installing sod in summer as the extra water required for establishment could result in added disease pressure and increased water bills. In general, though, the ideal time to lay sod is when daytime temperatures are cool between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. 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. 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. Walking over it may damage your grass. Give the sod time to knit into the ground. DO NOT water the sod while it's rolled up. Cold-season grasses prefer cooler weather and your sod expert will point you in the right direction. What Is The Difference Between Bonding And HardWall. Plan to lay sod on a day when the weather forecast is clear. Anchor the sod using wooden stakes or dowels. However, extreme cold does not affect some grass types, like turfgrass. When she's not blogging or spending time with her family, you can usually find her rooting around in the garden or at the hardware store. Summer Care For Your New Sod Lawn DO NOT OVER WATER to ensure that you or the installers are not working in muddy conditions. It should have just enough moisture content to keep the dust down. Do not be concerned about this. Nutrients and moisture within the soil sustain the grass until its active growing period next summer. Water lightly several times each day over the next two weeks so that the soil remains moist to a depth of 4 inches. Here are some other. 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. Sit back and relax, and let the professionals get their hands dirty. Whether youre on the hunt for one-time sod installation, or recurring services, were the team for the job. This also gives the sod plenty of time to get established before winter weather arrives. The annual subscription includes three seasonal boxes for spring, summer and fall. Check around for reputable sod sources so the sod youre getting contains the right grasses for your lawn. If its too cold, the sod wont take root and will eventually die as well. Contact us today for a FREE quote! If you absolutely must lay sod in the fall, do so as early in the season as possible. 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. Which Temperature is too hot or cold to lay sod? We could not be happier with the results and service we have received. The turves that have been in the middle of the pallet will be the quickest to deteriorate. Considering your location, the soil, and weather, the best time to weed and feed should be when the temperature is around 12C (53F) and more. So generally the best time for applying weed and feed in early spring or early autumn. On the other hand, too little water will also affect sod success. In cool weather, you need to water less frequently. 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. If youre laying sod in a shady area, its best to do so in the spring or fall. Lay them first. 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. When youre laying sod, timing is everything. Laying fescue in summer is more problematic, because as a cool weather grass it's susceptible to the heat. If you have a perfectly rectangular yard, try to plan the layout so that the outside edges of the lawn all have full-width strips of sod. The installation window for sodding is wide open, compared to the tighter window with seeding. The best time to lay sod is in the spring or fall, when the weather is cool and wet. At best it makes for a temporarily ugly lawn, at worst, it will kill every blade of your new grass so dont risk it. You dont want to lay sod in the middle of a heatwave or a cold snap. In mild climates, you can lay sod almost year round as long as the ground isn't frozen or a frost isn't expected. Add fertilizer with nutrients to the ground and till the earth about 3-4 inches deep. If you live in a climate with mild winters, fall is usually the best time to lay sod because your grass will have time to establish strong roots before going dormant for winter and before summer heat sets in. Water often to make sure of this. Once you've laid the sod, soak the soil again so that it's moist at 4 inches beneath the surface. As always, when using a chemical, be sure to read and follow all guidelines on the product label. Use a sharp-edged spade or sod knife to carefully cut sod pieces so they fit snugly against trees, landscape beds and sidewalks. The second is your schedule. You can always lay it properly the next day. You might be able to get away with a light drizzle, but taking on this task in heavy rain will cause you more issues and stress in the long run. If youre thinking of laying sod, here are a few things to keep in mind: Its never too late to sow sod! For more tips and information,contact Emerald Sod Farms today. Planting sod at the right time and temperature helps ensure that the roots become established quickly. When prepping your lawn for sod, make sure you: When installing sod, its crucial that you pay close attention to detail. Spring is generally regarded as the best time of year to lay sod. Water each section of turfing as soon as it has been laid. on Anti Glare Window Film for Artificial Grass Will Save You Money, on The Melting Point of Artificial Grass (And How to Make Sure Your Turf Doesnt Melt), on Throw the Ultimate Summer Barbecue by Following These Key Rules, on Telling a STORY With Macys New Concept Store and SYNLawn, on 4 Party-Ready Design Ideas for Artificial Turf in Dallas, Synthetic Turf Lawns Give Homeowners A Variety Of Color Choices, Click to visit the supplier's official website, Anti Glare Window Film for Artificial Grass Will Save You Money, The Melting Point of Artificial Grass (And How to Make Sure Your Turf Doesnt Melt), Throw the Ultimate Summer Barbecue by Following These Key Rules, Telling a STORY With Macys New Concept Store and SYNLawn, 4 Party-Ready Design Ideas for Artificial Turf in Dallas. Note: What follows reflects recommendations for Northern lawns (north of Interstate 70) when installing cultured sod with cool-season grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescue. Believe it or not, the most ideal time for this is either early or mid-fall. If your day is gloomy and wet, consider continuing your project on a dry day. If youre looking for more information on sod installation in South Carolina, keep reading. Although seeding a new lawn or reseeding an existing one will give you more grass type options and a healthier, better-performing lawn, sodding does have its benefits: Because the sod producer did all the preliminary hard work, all you need to do is make sure the ground is properly prepared beforehand. Were often asked when is the best time to lay turf? Turf can be laid at any time of year but in hot weather, you need to take extra care. New sod needs plenty of water once it's in place. You must consider the season and local temperatures for a successful sodding project. If it feels hot to the touch, put gloves on, break the pallet down into smaller stacks and call your supplier immediately. Their biggest concern is with homeowners who just dont know enough about, the ground and sod during a dormant season. In general, though, the ideal time to lay sod is when daytime temperatures are cool -- between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Joe Churchill is a Senior Turf Specialist for Reinders, Inc. in Plymouth, MN with a passion to promote realistic and environmentally-sound turfgrass maintenance practices through responsible use of water, fertilizers, pesticides and other inputs. This makes it harder for your sod to take root. Provide 1" of water a week for warm season lawns - all season long while the grass is green. On the other hand, cold weather makes it more difficult for the grass to take. During the cold season, the sods tender roots may not absorb the required nutrients and water from the ground. It's never too late to start laying the ground! How Do I Fix Bare or Brown Spots in My Lawn? Water shadier spots less than the sunnier spots to help reduce disease. But dont wait too long either. Thats why we buy single-serving coffee makers and microwave bacon. The two bottles ofGroware for improved soil health and the single bottle ofMaintainis designed to feed the lawn. If youre considering installing sod, dont let the heat deter you with a little planning, you can have a beautiful, green lawn all summer long! You should be sure to follow our installation guide which can be foundhere. Can you lay sod in the summer? The best time of year to lay sod, however, is in early and mid-fall when temperatures are cooler but grass continues to grow. Sod can dry out and die, so its important to ensure it always has enough moisture. Be sure to fertilize your lawn to promote healthy rooting and establishment. You want to make sure that the temperature is not too hot or too cold, as this can affect the sod's ability to take root. The dormant sod can be frozen but does need to be thawed prior to rolling it out. 2023 Coastal Turf. 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. However, spring and autumn are the best seasons for sod. Due to the hot weather, the sods roots will grow deeper in search of nutrients and water. They range between 13-26. Warm weather necessitates more frequent watering. Sod can be laid at any time of year, provided the ground has not frozen over or there is enough water to establish and maintain it. Its best to wait until things have dried out a bit before you lay your sod. TheLawnifi New Lawn Starter Boxis designed for newly sodded, seeded or plugged lawns. Growing St. Augustine from seed is quite difficult, so using plugs or sod is recommended. All you have to do is continue to water your sod and avoid walking on it. Most people choose the fall or spring because the temperatures are more likely to be mild, between 55 and 65 degrees, and therefore ideal for laying sod. You may also have difficulty inserting trowels or shovels into . And you will need to work fast. If its out of office hours you may end up leaving a message on an ansaphone but at least your concerns will be recorded. doesnt have to be hard, but doing it properly will protect your investment for years to come. Lastly, ensure your new lawn is properly maintained and watered. It releases nitrogen,. St. Augustine sod installation works best when the temperature is between 80 and 100 degrees. If the soil temperature is much lower than 50 degrees, however, the seeds will lay dormant and not germinate. 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