Please try again. Final step, once you've laid all the sod, water the lawn three times per day the first week, twice a day for a … 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. Doug has some tips for you on how to lay sod during the Summer. 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. To learn more about the nutrients new grass needs, read When to Fertilize Newly Installed Sod. People believe that when it’s hot outside, it’s safe to lay sod. 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. Water often to make sure of this. Water your lawn early in the morning, midday and early afternoon to help make sure it does not dry out. Growth slows in fall and winter. Be sure to fertilize your lawn to promote healthy rooting and establishment. Is The Best Time To Lay New Sod Grass Spring, Summer or Fall? It should be laid as soon as possible, or within one day after delivery. 1) The first step is to create visual representation of the installation area. The annual subscription includes three seasonal boxes for spring, summer and fall. Check out the best time to lay sod in Florida. If you lay sod in summer, then you need an installed irrigation system to keep the sods moist. You will need to continuously water the grass throughout the winter and its dormancy. "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. Water your lawn early in the morning, midday and early afternoon to help make sure it does not dry out. Doug and our son Nick, recently laid the sod in the backyard. You should be sure to follow our installation guide which can be found here. Absolutely nothing wrong with laying sod at any time of the year as long as it gets the water it needs. Your sod will not green up until the spring. Ideally, fresh sod should have been cut no more than 24 hours prior to delivery. ft. of sod vs. seed for 100 sq. 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. In truth, more sod is actually lost to heat stress in the summer than to winter’s moderate freezes. When temperatures start to exceed 90 degrees, grass dehydrates and could potentially be severely damaged … However, installing a sod in the summer requires a great deal of water to compensate for the less than ideal climate. Click here for your FREE garden and landscape journal- the first step to gardening success! We’ll help you make your house a welcoming home every day, all year long. Then you can reduce the frequency after the first week. Good rainfall means better grass growth, and less watering that you’ll have to perform to maintain your lawn. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. It does require preparation of the ground where you will be laying your sod. 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. Sod left outside overnight might freeze in cold weather! Here are some key things to be aware of when laying sod in the spring: Summer is a tough time to lay sod. Having a plush green lawn in easier than you think! 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. Believe it or not, the most ideal time is either early or mid-fall. 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 … Sod Lawn Installation Tips. 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. 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. 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. Laying sod in your lawn at the right time is what can give your garden the perfect look. Decorating, DIY projects, parties, gardening, good food, family and fun–we cover it all! This slowing of the growth makes sure that the plant can conserve resources to survive the summer. It’s good to have: A sod-knife with at least a 2-inch blade (this is the one I use), 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. You’ll get better results in highly shaded areas using 1/2 lb. 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. 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. Success! It will root more slowly than bermudagrass sod does in … 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. Laying fescue in summer is more problematic, because as a cool weather grass it's susceptible to the heat. 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. 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. If the temperatures are cold, you may need to only water the lawn once every 3-5 days. With the right type of grass and the proper techniques, yes! Now check your email to confirm your subscription. spring and fall were the only times I would try laying sod. You can successfully lay sod in any season, and we’ll explain how here. Stake each piece to … There was an error submitting your subscription. This does not harm the plant but might make it hard to unroll. Then like any lawn, give it an inch of water a week, more during hot summer … 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. Don’t lay Tall Fescue sod in the late spring or summer. Correct preparation makes laying sod an easy DIY project. The soil in the planting area should be moist, not soggy or dry. Lay sod on a cool, overcast day to minimize plant stress. Sod lawn installation can’t be done on an existing lawn, or any soil with it expected to grow. During the summer the temperature is hot and there’s too much sun exposure. Plug trays are the perfect and affordable way to fill in spots or test the performance of a grass in your lawn. 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. 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. Complete Program 9 Bottle Annual Fertilizer Subscription. ft. More isn’t always better. 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. Once again, follow our installation guide here and be sure to water your lawn as often as possible. Tools for Laying Sod. On a slope: Lay the rolls across the slope. Find the right grass for your location and needs with our Sod Selector tool. It simply doesn’t work. During cooler months, you can wait 48 hours. Although it is easier to install sod during the cooler seasons, it is indeed possible to install sod in the summer. Although you can plant St. Augustine grass at other times, in north Florida avoid cold winter months or hot, dry summer periods. Why is fall the best time to have your sod grass installed? It also helps find how much sod … Sketching a diagram helps with sorting out the width and length of the sod. Not only will it be cooler for you to do the physical work, making it easier, but the sod also prefers the moderate weather. 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. 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. Wilted leaves mean that the soil is dry and/or the roots are not penetrating into the real soil. Installation Steps. Be sure to keep an eye on weather. 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. 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. Our friends at Red Hen Turf Farm delivered the sod for us. A few rain showers and 100 degree days can take their toll on you and the project. You will continue to lay sod, butting the strips tightly together and staggering all end joints. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Taper back watering in the shadier spots since these areas are more prone to fungus and disease pressure. After the new sod is laid, follow our watering instructions to ensure successful establishment of the root system - and happy, green grass! Our friends at Red Hen Turf Farm delivered the sod for us. After the first week, cut back watering to every other day, tapering off to just twice a week by the third week. Subscribe to our e-newsletter below if you haven’t done so already to receive the latest updates from Sod University. Make sure there are no more opportunities for a freeze before laying new sod. I want to lay either bentgrass or bermuda (Summer installation requires more attention to watering!) Now, onto the ideal sod laying season: fall. Keep your lawn moist, but do not overwater it—if you do this, it will be susceptible to disease. each. Water thoroughly one or two days before the sod is delivered so that the top several inches of soil are wetted. Morning before it gets that water live in vegas, it will fine... 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