Sod, which is mature lawn that has been professionally grown and cultivated and cut into thick rolls with underlying soil and roots, can become an instant new lawn. Sod can take as many as two years to mature, but even though the plants in a roll are established and mature when compared with their seeded counterparts, care must be taken at the time of planting to ensure plant survival.
Homeowners can’t place sod atop any kind of soil and expect it to grow. The ground where the rolls will be place should be prepared before laying sod rolls. Remove all rocks and debris from the area, along with noxious weeds. Aerate the soil to ensure it is not compacted. Correct drainage problems by grading so that water to avoid puddling in low areas and to ensure that water moves away from areas such as sidewalks and driveways. Correct soil deficiencies and improper pH levels by adding appropriate amendments, such as nitrogen and trace minerals, to the topsoil, to encourage root growth.
Sod rolls are living, breathing entities. As such, schedule delivery so that sod can be laid quickly, preferably in a single day beginning in the early morning. Sod should be laid 24 to 72 hours after it is first harvested. Fresh sod has soil that is moist, not hard and dry to the touch. Grass blades should be dark green and feel cool. Sod strips should be laid in a straight line with ends staggered in a brick-laying pattern. If sod cannot be installed immediately, lay out the pieces in a shady location and sprinkle it with water to keep them moist.
To encourage root growth, the area where sod will be laid should be watered, but not soaked, thoroughly on the day prior to installation. Irrigate newly-laid sod with 0.2 inches of water daily, with short waterings once in the morning and once in the afternoon, for two weeks following installation. More water will be needed during hot and dry weather to make sure roots do not become dry. Edges of individual sod pieces should come into contact with one another so the perimeters do not dry out. The frequency of irrigation can be reduced if roots are established within 10 to 14 days.
Time of Year
Sod can be installed at almost any time of the year. The best time to lay sod, however, is in late summer and early fall when temperatures are cooler but grass continues to grow. Spring is the second best time to lay sod and is the preferable time for warm-season grasses such as centipede, zoysia, Bermuda, and St. Augustine that become dormant in the winter. Avoid installing sod in summer as the extra water required for establishment could result in blight and disease.
- University of Rhode Island: Installing a Sod Lawn
- Turfgrass Producers of Texas: Texas Turfgrass Installation--Planning, Preparation and Installation
- Northeast Nursery, Inc.: Lawn & Garden Care: Frequently Asked Questions About Sod
- Purdue Turfgrass Science Program: Establishing a Lawn From Sod
- Clemson University: Sod in the Fall
- Sunset.com: Planting a New Lawn
- University of Arkansas: Establishing a Lawn From Sod
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