If a frost hits, stay off the grass to prevent damage. His lawn is the envy of the neighborhood and, in his free time, he enjoys kicking back on the Northshore of Lake Superior. 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. Planting sod at the right time and temperature helps ensure that the roots become established quickly. Here are some key things to be aware of when laying sod in the summer: One of the biggest questions most of us consider when installing a new lawn is how much it costs to sod a yard. There are a few things to consider when deciding when to lay sod. And thats why we have sod, because many of us prefer a ready-made lawn to one that needs time and nurturing. If it is necessary to store the sod for a couple of days, lay it out . Turf Magazine, the industry magazine for all things turf, says that laying sod in the winter is risky business. Therefore, note; The deep-freezing temperature is too cold to lay your sod. How Long Does It Take to Lay Sod? Spring and early fall are ideal times for laying sod, when the weather is usually cool and rainy but not cold. This turf must NOT dry out. The installation window for sodding is wide open, compared to the tighter window with seeding. This is because cool temperatures and light rain encourage sod growth. What is the average time it takes to lay sod? If it's too hot, the sod will dry out and die. manicured lawn look, don't use Centipede sod. 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. Another factor to consider is the amount of rainfall in your area. Water lightly several times each day over the next two weeks so that the soil remains moist to a depth of 4 inches. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. As long as the ground isnt frozen, you can lay sod any time of year. Before rolling out the soil, make sure it has thawed. 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. While the initial investment in sod may be higher than do-it-yourself seed planting, the end result is often worth the extra expense. The two bottles ofGroware for improved soil health and the single bottle ofMaintainis designed to feed the lawn. When its hot outside, all living things need to take care of themselves. Walter Reeves: St. Augustine-Planting Sod, North Carolina State University: Grass Selection, The Temperature Range for Winter Rye Grass, The Temperature That Grass Starts to Grow After Winter. Julie Christensen is a food writer, caterer, and mom-chef. If it is below 25 degrees, you should not plant sod. Aim to have at least 3 pairs of hands on site ready to receive the delivery. Its a lot quicker. 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. However, it can still establish at lower temperatures at a slower rate. If you lay grass during winter, the roots will remain dormant until hot temperatures hit. You will need to continuously water the grass throughout the winter and its dormancy. Knowing when to lay sod is an important step in your lawn care journey, so were here with the expert tips on proper maintenance. If youre using a cool-season grass, like fescue or rye, its best to lay sod in the fall or winter. 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. When youre ready to tackle this project, make sure you do your research and find the best time to lay sod in your area. This can be measured in square feet. Water it and see what happens. There are a few disadvantages to laying sod, namely the cost and the effort required. The ideal time to lay sod is mid-March to mid-April in the spring, or mid-September to mid-October in the fall. Lay them first. In general, though, the ideal time to lay sod is when daytime temperatures are cool between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Oftentimes, people purchase sod through local distributors, landscapers or even big-box retailers. Keep watering it at least once a day, never ever let it dry out and it should recover. Make sure there are no more opportunities for a freeze before laying new sod. Before you install the sod, remove any weeds or rocks from the ground. The dormant sod can be frozen but does need to be thawed prior to rolling it out. At hotter temperatures, the sod dries out more quickly and suffers more shock. Water again before you go to bed. Then, choose the type of sod you want to use: strips or slabs. Lawnifi Complete Program 9 Bottle Annual Fertilizer. Warm soil temperatures help sod roots quickly knit into the soil surface. We decided to give 4 ways to prevent overheating sod: 1. You will want the soil to be damp three to four inches below the surface. If youre laying sod in a sunny area, you can do so year-round, as long as the temperature is right. To learn more about the nutrients new grass needs, readWhen to Fertilize Newly Installed Sod. In fact, you might need to lightly water the sod once or twice a day, depending on weather conditions, to keep the soil below moist for root growth. . Make sure the water soaks right through the turf and into the top 15cm of soil. Take care never to overwater the sod while it is in the rooting stage. Bear in mind that should your turf not establish well, its for you to prove to your supplier that you DID lay it within 8 hours of delivery. These weeds are stealing nutrients and moisture meant for the St. Augustine sod. The ideal temperature to resod a lawn is 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The type of sod being laid is critical because a hearty sod is more likely to handle our colder winters than others. 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. Ross and his staff check all the boxes when it comes to customer service! doesnt have to be hard, but doing it properly will protect your investment for years to come. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Lawnifi 9 Bottle Annual Fertilizer Program. Any delay in getting your turf unrolled and installed could result in sod heating. If its too cold, the sod wont take root and will eventually die as well. The first factor to consider is the weather. Sod also discourages soil erosion, provides instant landscape coverage, and can help eliminate the need for pesticides and herbicides. However, for the best results, sod should be laid in early spring or late autumn. These include protecting the ground from erosion, using less water, and having the sod take root and grow as soon as spring hits. On the other hand, too little water will also affect sod success. Once you've laid the sod, soak the soil again so that it's moist at 4 inches beneath the surface. At lower temperatures, the ground might freeze, preventing the roots from becoming established. What should the temperature be when laying sod? It's not ideal to install sod in very hot weather because adding fertilizer can cause the grass to burn. This. Be sure to keep an eye on the weather. If soil temperatures dip below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, sod roots stop their growth. We dont like to wait. It should be watered at least 6 inches deep to get it established, and watered heavily enough that it will not die during hot weather, as it is not . Continuous watering can make your lawns surface soft. We have a sod calculator so you can estimate the pricing for your installation. I think that is where my passion for landscaping and lawn care started. However, extreme cold does not affect some grass types, like turfgrass. Water your lawn early in the morning, midday and early afternoon to help make sure it does not dry out. Each has their own benefit. On the other hand, cold weather makes it more difficult for the grass to take. Here are some other tips for laying sod. It all comes down to temperature. Anchor the sod using wooden stakes or dowels. before the summer gets too hot. After the first 30 days of establishment, continue with regular monthly Lawnifi feedings for optimal results during the active growing seasons with theLawnifi Complete Program 9 Bottle Annual Fertilizer. Thats not to say I would recommend it! Removing more than one-third to one-half of the leaf blade during one pass can shock newly installed sod. . Spring is the second best time to plant sod and is the preferable time for warm season grasses such as centipede, zoysia, bermuda and St. Augustine that become dormant in the winter. This also gives the sod plenty of time to get established before winter weather arrives. St. Augustine turf is naturally dormant in the winter, so it is essential to lay the sod no later than mid-summer for proper soil adhesion and root growth. as well. It's never too late to start laying the ground! Insect Identification Your sod will not green up until the spring. Keeping your lawn in tip top shape is crucial in the journey of homeownership. It all comes down to temperature. Select from our family of premium sod varieties and other top-quality turfgrass brands. In general, though, the ideal time to lay sod is when daytime temperatures are cool -- between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. 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. Sod producers dont begin harvesting until conditions are right anyway. This will help reduce stress on the grass as it adapts to its new environment. Sod is perishable and should be installed immediately after delivery, especially when the weather is hot and dry. If you live in an area with harsh winters, wait until spring when temperatures have warmed up enough to support new grass growth. Sod can be placed at any time during the growing season. We recommend our. What does a blinking blue light on a smoke detector mean? If it feels hot to the touch, put gloves on, break the pallet down into smaller stacks and call your supplier immediately. Laying fescue in summer is more problematic, because as a cool weather grass it's susceptible to the heat. During this time, hard frost may settle on your fresh grass. If its out of office hours you may end up leaving a message on an ansaphone but at least your concerns will be recorded. Home; Schwerdt-Blog; Autor 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. As stated above, attempting to lay sod in heavy rain will result in a delay, so plan to complete the project when the forecast is clear. 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. As soon as the soil temperature reaches about 50 degrees, your lawn will be full and green before anyone else. But if you have a spot in your yard that needs new grass right away, dont wait go ahead and lay sod! The second is your schedule. Take measurements of your yard to ensure you purchase the correct amount of sod. Dont lay sod too early in the spring or too late in the fall. Powered by Coalmarch. Here are some other. Sod heating is common in hot weather. Keep your lawn moist, but do not overwater itif you do this, it will be susceptible to disease. How to Take Care of New Sod in the Late Fall, Clemson Cooperative Extension: Lawn Establishment, University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program: Establishing a Lawn From Sod, Beautiful houseplants that also repel mosquitoes, cockroaches and other pests. How much does a 8 week old cocker spaniel weight? Find the right grass for your location and needs with our Sod Selector tool. Even if the grass is green and growing, if the ground is still frozen underneath, you will have trouble with the sod not sticking and getting established. 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. 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