Moderate temperatures are best when laying new sod. The ground should stay moist, not saturated, and this can be accomplished with winter precipitation. This also gives the sod plenty of time to get established before winter weather arrives. Keep the soil moist until the sprouts are about two inches tall. Sod producers dont begin harvesting until conditions are right anyway. Worst Time of Year for Lay Sod. Make sure your yard is leveled 1 inch below the sidewalk. These weeds are stealing nutrients and moisture meant for the St. Augustine sod. Continuous watering can make your lawns surface soft. Do you see a pattern here, we want to do everything we can to stay below 130 F. How much should I pay for a custom closet? 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. Can you lay sod in the summer? Without consistent moisture, the grass might go dormant or simply die back. If you live in an area with harsh winters, wait until spring when temperatures have warmed up enough to support new grass growth. The optimal temperature for sod lies between the range of 58-86 F (14-30 C). The sod will dry out or die if you plant it during peak summer temperatures. In general, though, the ideal time to lay sod is when daytime temperatures are cool -- between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. TheLawnifi New Lawn Starter Boxis designed for newly sodded, seeded or plugged lawns. When you lay this turf during freezing temperatures, the sod will remain dormant until the spring season. Here are a few tips for sowing sod in hot weather: Sod is a great way to give your yard a fresh, new look. While the initial investment in sod may be higher than do-it-yourself seed planting, the end result is often worth the extra expense. Unlike other grass species, St. Augustine (Stenotaphrum secundatum) turf is not typically seeded because it spreads easily through above ground stolons. His lawn is the envy of the neighborhood and, in his free time, he enjoys kicking back on the Northshore of Lake Superior. Because St. Augustine grass prefers hot weather for active growth, water the sod directly after installation. Here are some other. The tender grass roots are easily damaged by heat and drought. And with new content being added every day, there's always something new to discover. When youre ready to tackle this project, make sure you do your research and find the best time to lay sod in your area. But again, it all depends on whether you live in a colder or warmer region. As soon as the soil temperature reaches about 50 degrees, your lawn will be full and green before anyone else. Their biggest concern is with homeowners who just dont know enough about, the ground and sod during a dormant season. Turf Magazine, the industry magazine for all things turf, says that laying sod in the winter is risky business. When your turf arrives you will need to lay it immediately no faffing! The first factor to consider is the weather. Dry and/or hard soil. You dont want to lay sod in an area thats been experiencing a lot of rain, as this can cause the sod to rot. Rake the area to smooth and level it. Read on to learn more. Tight-fitting seams will also grow together and disappear quicker than loose-fitting ones. Spring is generally regarded as the best time of year to lay sod. Minimal quantity 500m. 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. Its why there seems to be a fast-food restaurant and a drive-thru window on just about every corner. 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. No, it is not too late to lay sod in . During this time, hard frost may settle on your fresh grass. Our product line of Lawnifi grass seed features fertilizer coated seed designed to promote root growth and successful establishment at planting. Laying Grass In The Spring Early spring is the best time to lay sod because it is not dried out by the humidity. If you decide to go this route, remember to: The fourth thing to consider is your lawn. Remove any excess thatch and loosen the top of the soil with a rake. Sod can be sown in the summer, but it is more challenging because the heat can cause the sod to dry out quickly. Test the soil to ensure the pH level is safe for your new sod. Any later than that and you run the risk of warmer weather causing stress on your new grass that can lead to disease problems or browning from heat stress. At hotter temperatures, the sod dries out more quickly and suffers more shock. Do not be concerned about this. Warm soil temperatures help sod roots quickly knit into the soil surface. During the cold season, the sods tender roots may not absorb the required nutrients and water from the ground. 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. At lower temperatures, the ground might freeze, preventing the roots from becoming established. The benefits of laying sod are many, including a fast way to achieve an even, green lawn. In fact, sod roots simply remain dormant until temperatures rise. Take care never to overwater the sod while it is in the rooting stage. Which Temperature is too hot or cold to lay sod? Try to sod in the early summer when temperatures remain warm for several weeks for proper root establishment and grass blade growth in preferred U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10. Good ventilation is essential if you want to avoid sod heating. Writing professionally since 2010, Amy Rodriguez cultivates successful cacti, succulents, bulbs, carnivorous plants and orchids at home. You also run the risk of having weeds invade before your grass has had a chance to grow on its own. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Lawnifi 9 Bottle Annual Fertilizer Program. If your day is gloomy and wet, consider continuing your project on a dry day. Avoid working the soil when it's wet, which causes hard clumps of soil to form. As long as the ground isnt frozen, you can lay sod any time of year. Sod Solutions works with private breeders and university researchers across the globe to find and bring to market the best grasses with the best genetics on the planet. If youre thinking of laying sod, here are a few things to keep in mind: Its never too late to sow sod! 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. Louisiana is one of only two states to be completely in the "warm season" grass zone (the other is Florida ). Thats why we buy single-serving coffee makers and microwave bacon. Warm weather necessitates more frequent watering. Helping my neighbors revitalize their lawns and sharing tips on how you can design your garden on this website is what I love doing. Make sure there are no more opportunities for a freeze before laying new sod. You should never lay sod on frozen ground: The roots need room to grow, and if the soil is frozen, they cant get established. It releases nitrogen,. It is never too late to start laying sod! Ourinstallation guideis comprehensive and will help you install your lawn appropriately. In fact, this warm-season grass is better suited for sprig or sod installation. We dont like to wait. Water daily until the sod is firmly knitted into the soil. The inside of the roll will get all hot and steamy like a sauna and the plants will die. If you must lay sod outside of the ideal window, choose a shady spot for your lawn that will receive some protection from the hot summer sun. Finding a quality provider for sod can be daunting at times. Spring and early fall are ideal times for laying sod, when the weather is usually cool and rainy but not cold. Lay them first. Best Temperature For Laying Sod Is 60-80 Degrees Best temperature for laying sodis 60-80 degrees. Be sure to fertilize your lawn to promote healthy rooting and establishment. Need some more help or just have some questions. In general, though, the ideal time to lay sod is when daytime temperatures are cool -- between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Due to the hot weather, the sods roots will grow deeper in search of nutrients and water. Some of the old standby varieties need more water, fertilizer and fungicides. St. Augustine sod installation works best when the temperature is between 80 and 100 degrees. Zoysia sod will be at its best when it is at least 80 degrees. To make the process easier, you can mix one pound of grass seed with one gallon of sand and use a spreader. Give the sod time to knit into the ground. 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. Make small piles of turf on the prepared soil. Too much rain can cause the sod to rot, while not enough rain can cause it to dry out and die. Whatever you do, dont leave the turf on the pallet hoping it will cool down. The successful establishment of a new lawn depends on careful soil preparation, as well as planting grass at the right time. If there is no potential for frost or freeze, water the ground and lay the dormant sod end to end. Use the sod calculator to help you estimate the number of square feet of sod you will need. Sod is more expensive than seed, and it also requires more work to lay down. All of these conditions help sod to take root quickly and establish itself before summer arrives. Spread 0.25 to 0.5 pounds of grass seed per 1,000 square feet. Provide 1" of water a week for warm season lawns - all season long while the grass is green. The best time to lay sod is in the spring or fall, when the weather is cool and wet. People with heatstroke arent very good at laying turf quickly. With an electronics degree and more than 10 years of experience, she applies her love of gadgets to the gardening world as she continues her education through college classes and gardening activities. The successful establishment of a new lawn depends on careful soil preparation, as well as planting grass at the right time. Some sod growers like to use older varieties because theyre cheaper and produce a crop faster. However, spring and autumn are the best seasons for sod. When the ground is not frozen, sod can be laid at any time of year. A classic sign of soil compaction is when a lawn feels bone dry and dense to the touch and rock hard underfoot. Read more in this blog. This makes it harder for your sod to take root. The best time of year to plant grass in Louisiana is in early spring or fall. That demonstrates how hardy sod can be. All rights reserved. How Warm Must it Be to Plant Lawn Grass Seed? Make sure the ground is firm before driving. At lower temperatures, the ground might freeze, preventing the roots from becoming established. 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. The expiration date also labeled Arew is the go-to source for all your home improvement, gardening, cooking, and family needs. However, this sun-loving grass cannot be installed just any time of year. But there are other benefits to laying sod in the winter as well. What is the average time it takes to lay sod? You should be sure to follow our installation guide which can be foundhere. Broadly there are two kinds of grasses, warm-season and cold-season. Moderate temperatures are best when laying new sod. People think that either the sod is brown and therefore dead, or that they dont need to water itboth of these statements are wrong. Also, since sod is heavy, its hard to maneuver over frozen ground so you wont be able to position it properly. If, when you have laid your turf it looks yellow, its probably OK. Take pictures anyway and email them to your supplier. You can lay sod anytime during the growing season, although spring and early autumn are bestcool temperatures combined with occasional rain help sod quickly root. Get your. If it is below 25 degrees, you should not plant sod. Other Factors 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. 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.". The ideal temperature for laying sod is between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The box contains three bottles of liquid fertilizer powered byCatalyst TechnologyTMto nano-size the nutrients for efficiency and effectiveness. Sod can be installed at almost any time of the year. It is very hot and sometimes drought prone depending on your location. There are a few things to consider when deciding when to lay sod. . 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. 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 installation window for sodding is wide open, compared to the tighter window with seeding. 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. Just dont leave it rolled up or the situation will worsen and quickly. Planting sod at the right time and temperature helps ensure that the roots become established quickly. Sit back and relax, and let the professionals get their hands dirty. 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 addition to temperature and type of sod, you must also consider proper ground preparation. Creating a lawn by laying sod is simpler than babying grass seed along, but it's not without its hazards. The days are getting shorter, the temperatures are cooling off, and the ground is beginning to harden as it preparing for winter. Water each section of turfing as soon as it has been laid. Cold-season grasses prefer cooler weather and your sod expert will point you in the right direction. Laying Bermuda sod in summer isn't ideal either, but as a warm-season grass it won't require quite as much nurturing in order to flourish. Then, choose the type of sod you want to use: strips or slabs. Many people ask, What temperature is too cold to lay sod? What temperature is suitable for sodding? Cold, dry winds can dry out the roots quickly and cause major issues. Water lightly several times each day over the next two weeks so that the soil remains moist to a depth of 4 inches. Plan to lay sod on a day when the weather forecast is clear. 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