Sometimes you just can’t wait for your lush, beautiful new lawn. Revitalizing your lawn with seeding is fantastic, but you don’t always have the time and may need to consider lawn installation. Maybe you’re moving into a new home, or your lawn has been damaged by weather conditions or wear and tear. When you need a fresh, gorgeous lawn stat, sodding is the quickest and easiest way to establish a healthy lawn. But what are the advantages of sodding, and when is the best time to lay sod?
What Is Sodding and When Is It The Best Option?
Sodding is laying down completely new turf that comes in rolls. It’s basically laying down a new lawn from scratch. There are other options for replenishing your lawn, including traditional seeding and hydroseeding. Traditional seeding involves spreading seeds directly into the soil, either by hand or using a machine. Hydroseeding is a faster method that involves spraying a mixture of grass seed, mulch, fertilizer and water to promote more rapid growth. Hydroseeding is faster than traditional seeding and allows you to cover a larger area. However, no other option is as quick as sodding.
In most cases, we recommend seeding if you simply need a refresh or to fill in a few bare patches. If you are starting from scratch or have widespread turf damage, sodding is the fastest option. You can enjoy your new lawn after just a couple of weeks.
When Is The Best Time of Year To Lay Sod?
Late fall and winter are often ideal times to install sod, thanks to cooler temperatures that reduce stress on new grass and promote strong root growth. Sod installed during the cooler months requires less watering and faces less weed competition. Even when dormant, sod continues to establish below the surface, so it greens up faster and thicker in spring. Best of all, you’ll head into spring with a finished lawn—without the seasonal rush.
What Factors Should I Consider Before Sodding?
Consider several factors before you lay sod. A professional landscaping team can help you make the best decisions for your lawn.
- Consult your landscaper about the right type of grass for your yard and climate.
- Prepare your soil before laying sod. Remove weeds and debris. You may want to ask your landscaper to test your soil to determine if fertilizer and other amendments are needed. Make sure the soil is moist but not too wet before installation.
- Till your soil to loosen the top 6 to 8 inches, allowing the new roots to take hold. Ensure your soil is level before unrolling the sod.
- Don’t order your sod too early. Sod should be delivered the day you plan to install it.
- Finally, be sure to select high-quality sod from a reputable supplier and have your new sod professionally installed to avoid gaps or overlapping rolls.
How Should I Care For My New Sod?
Take a few steps right after installation to help your new lawn thrive.
- Avoid over- or under-watering. When you first water your new lawn, you want to be extra generous, drenching the fresh sod with around three inches of water. However, after that, you should lower the amount to around 1.5 inches to keep your lawn moist and fresh without getting waterlogged. In general, you can water your lawn twice a day for about 10 minutes, but be sure to adjust the water time based on the weather.
- Talk with your landscaper about a programmable irrigation system. It’s the best way to get just the right amount of water at the right times of day.
- Don’t allow foot traffic for the first two weeks. It may be hard to keep the kiddos and pets away, but it will pay off with a healthy lawn.
- You might be excited to jump right on the mower and trim your new sod. But it’s better to wait at least two weeks for the first mowing to allow those delicate roots to take hold in their new environment before putting the pressure of a mower on your new lawn. For best results, wait until your new grass is at least 3 inches tall, and mow high for your lawn’s first months to allow it to get the water and nutrients it needs.
- Talk with your landscaper about a fertilizer application around a month after installation. Working with a landscaper ensures you get a professional formulation and application to give your lawn the nutrients it needs without causing chemical burns.
What Are Long-Term Maintenance Tips For My New Sod?
As the weeks move forward and you begin enjoying your new lawn, there are simple steps you can follow to keep it healthy.
- Switch to deeper, less frequent waterings and avoid overwatering to prevent wet, mushy spots.
- Look out for brown spots, which may indicate underwatering.
- Keep your pets from christening your new lawn to prevent yellow spots.
- Talk with your landscaper about proper irrigation and drainage to keep your lawn healthy.
- If you use weed killers, be smart and sparing. Communicate with your landscaper about the best products and amounts to avoid creating a toxic environment for your new lawn.
To Sod Or Not To Sod? Ask Your Landscaper
If your lawn needs revitalization, you have several options. Sometimes, a simple fall overseeding does the trick. In other cases, it’s best to start from scratch with new sod. Choosing the right time of year and working with a professional landscaping team are the keys to the best results. Reach out to Epling Landscaping and Lawn Service, and let’s talk about your lawn refresh.
