Laying sod can be a time-consuming and frustrating task, which is why at Coastal Turf, we are here to help from start to finish. Warm soil temperatures help sod roots quickly knit into the soil surface. You might get wet knees or muddy hands but that doesnt matter. Joe Churchill is a Senior Turf Specialist for Reinders, Inc. in Plymouth, MN with a passion to promote realistic and environmentally-sound turfgrass maintenance practices through responsible use of water, fertilizers, pesticides and other inputs. Water daily until the sod is firmly knitted into the soil. The optimal temperature for sod lies between the range of 58-86 F (14-30 C). If sodding a hillside or steep slope, lay sod horizontally. If you have a busy week coming up, it might not be the best time to lay sod, because it is a labor-intensive project. Keeping your lawn in tip top shape is crucial in the journey of homeownership. doesnt have to be hard, but doing it properly will protect your investment for years to come. After about 10 to 14 days perform a "tug test" by gently tugging the sod in a few areas to make sure that it has firmly rooted into the soil. And with new content being added every day, there's always something new to discover. If youre looking for more information on sod installation in South Carolina, keep reading. Before you install the sod, remove any weeds or rocks from the ground. Your lawn is the first impression for your neighbors and guests, so it deserves the special care that our technicians provide. What is the average time it takes to lay sod? The best time to lay sod is in the spring or fall, when the weather is cool and wet. Find the right grass for your location and needs with our Sod Selector tool. Remove any excess thatch and loosen the top of the soil with a rake. You see, the heat inside a roll of sod is not only produced from the sun, but it is also produced . If it feels hot to the touch, put gloves on, break the pallet down into smaller stacks and call your supplier immediately. Which Temperature is too hot or cold to lay sod? Make sure there are no more opportunities for a freeze before laying new sod. If it is below 25 degrees, you should not plant sod. They also can produce more, Apply a quality starter fertilizer before laying the sod. We dont like to wait. Timing will vary by several days or even weeks, depending on the arrival of winter in each region. MOQ 500m. The ideal temperature for laying sod is between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. To learn more about the nutrients new grass needs, readWhen to Fertilize Newly Installed Sod. At 32 F, the temperature is too cold to lay sod. Aim to have at least 3 pairs of hands on site ready to receive the delivery. Thats not to say I would recommend it! Due to the hot weather, the sods roots will grow deeper in search of nutrients and water. Sod can be sown in the summer, but it is more challenging because the heat can cause the sod to dry out quickly. 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 a frost hits, stay off the grass to prevent damage. Make sure your yard is leveled 1 inch below the sidewalk. Challenges to installing sod in the summer. Take pictures (preferably with the date and time on them if youre camera lets you do that) and email them immediately. The sod will dry out or die if you plant it during peak summer temperatures. Additionally, keep off the lawn when its covered in frost. Heres how to get best results when laying turf in hot weather. It's not just a random date that the food company picked out of thin air. For more tips and information. If it's too hot, the sod will dry out and die. Contact your supplier immediately and ask for their advice. Need some more help or just have some questions. Other Factors Likewise, never cover rolled turf with a sheet or a tarpaulin. The biggest factor is the weather. Finding a quality provider for sod can be daunting at times. Unfortunately you wont always get to choose when you lay your sod, and planting sod in summer heat or winter cold can affect your choice of grass. No, it is not too late to lay sod in . High temperatures and temperatures that fluctuate rapidly can also be harmful to sod. The installation window for sodding is wide open, compared to the tighter window with seeding. 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. Ross and his staff check all the boxes when it comes to customer service! They will also be able to give you tips on how to properly care for your new grass so it can thrive. If the weather is going to be warm, there are a few extra precautions you need to take if you want your lawn to be successful. Because St. Augustine grass prefers hot weather for active growth, water the sod directly after installation. While the initial investment in sod may be higher than do-it-yourself seed planting, the end result is often worth the extra expense. Sod can be placed at any time during the growing season. If you lay grass during winter, the roots will remain dormant until hot temperatures hit. And thats why we have sod, because many of us prefer a ready-made lawn to one that needs time and nurturing. You may also have difficulty inserting trowels or shovels into . You dont want to lay sod in the middle of a heatwave or a cold snap. In mild climates, you can lay sod almost year round as long as the ground isn't frozen or a frost isn't expected. If youre using a cool-season grass, like fescue or rye, its best to lay sod in the fall or winter. 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. Dont sod during the dog days of summer. Learn to take the best possible care of your lawn and garden by subscribing to our weekly Sod University newsletter or by referring to our installation, establishment and maintenance guides. Dont mow too soon. Fertilize with the same starter fertilizer 30 to 45 days after installation. 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. What Is The Difference Between Bonding And HardWall. In a few hours, you have an instant lawn that looks like its been there forever. If the soil temperature is much lower than 50 degrees, however, the seeds will lay dormant and not germinate. So generally the best time for applying weed and feed in early spring or early autumn. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. What should the temperature be when laying sod? Menu. Can you lay sod in the summer? Cold-season grasses prefer cooler weather and your. Snow and frost cover the grass during extreme cold. 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. 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. 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. However, it can still establish at lower temperatures at a slower rate. Use a sharp-edged spade or sod knife to carefully cut sod pieces so they fit snugly against trees, landscape beds and sidewalks. When the ground is not frozen, sod can be laid at any time of year. Unlike seeding a lawn, which can be done at any time of year (provided the ground isnt frozen), the best time to lay sod is in the spring or autumn. The bigger the lawn youre laying, the more people you should have to help. Laying fescue in summer is more problematic, because as a cool weather grass it's susceptible to the heat. Water again before you go to bed. Spring is generally regarded as the best time of year to lay sod. The successful establishment of a new lawn depends on careful soil preparation, as well as planting grass at the right time. The expiration date also labeled Arew is the go-to source for all your home improvement, gardening, cooking, and family needs. April through September or late summer, early fall is the best time to lay sod. Laying sod is a big job, but its worth it when you have a beautiful, green lawn. Cold-season grasses like fescue can be put down at any time of year, though they prefer the cooler months. If youre waiting for spring weather, its important not to wait too long. You will need to continuously water the grass throughout the winter and its dormancy. Sod can be laid at any time of year, provided the ground has not frozen over or there is enough water to establish and maintain it. When she's not blogging or spending time with her family, you can usually find her rooting around in the garden or at the hardware store. Joe's client base includes professional turf managers serving the lawn care, sports turf and golf course industries. Spread 0.25 to 0.5 pounds of grass seed per 1,000 square feet. The best time to lay sod is late summer or early fall, when daytime temperatures are still warm and nighttime temperatures are cooler. On the other hand, too little water will also affect sod success. Then, choose the type of sod you want to use: strips or slabs. In general, though, the ideal time to lay sod is when daytime temperatures are cool -- between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The days are getting longer, the temperatures are warming up, and the rainfall is typically plentiful. Thats important to them, but not necessarily beneficial to you. That demonstrates how hardy sod can be. Each has their own benefit. Moderate temperatures are best when laying new sod. Although turfgrass is not affected by freezing weather, it is dormant when it is cold and active when it is warm. Once turf starts to warm up, it will get very hot very quickly. However, the article does go on to say that, being laid is critical because a hearty sod is more likely to handle our colder winters than others. Helping my neighbors revitalize their lawns and sharing tips on how you can design your garden on this website is what I love doing. 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. Once prepared, the soil surface should be firm and covered with about one-half inch of loose soil. Read more in this blog. Our sod experts can help you determine which sod is best for your specific project needs and make recommendations for when to lay it, and how to care for it for your best success. Avoid laying sod during times of drought or water restriction. Keep all foot traffic and lawnmowers off the grass until it is established. The ideal time to lay sod is mid-March to mid-April in the spring, or mid-September to mid-October in the fall. Even though the British Climate is unpredictable, we usually know that June, July, August and sometimes September bring spells of hot weather. At best it makes for a temporarily ugly lawn, at worst, it will kill every blade of your new grass so dont risk it. The second is your schedule. You must consider the season and local temperatures for a successful sodding project. Whilst most well established plants like trees or older lawns have their own coping mechanisms for heat; newly planted bedding plants, turf or wildflower mats do need extra nurturing if they are to look their best. If you have a perfectly rectangular yard, try to plan the layout so that the outside edges of the lawn all have full-width strips of sod. 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. As long as the ground isnt frozen, you can lay sod any time of year. Grass plugs are a great tool for repairing damaged areas of the lawn or to establish a lawn when sod or seed is not available or practical. Its easy to install and maintain, and its perfect for busy people who dont have time to mow a lawn. What Happens When You Lay Sod During Cold Weather? The biggest factor is the weather. The best time of day to lay sod is in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler. So whether you're looking for guidance on how to make your home more energy efficient or just want some inspiration for dinner tonight, be sure to check out Arew! They range between 13-26. Regardless of the season, the ground must be ready for the sod to take root and create the beautiful lush lawn you desire. The best time to lay your new sod is when night temperatures range between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Warm soil temperatures help sod roots quickly knit into the soil surface. When your turf arrives you will need to lay it immediately no faffing! Similar to other times of the year, youll want to maintain a healthy watering schedule that keeps the sod moist, but not too wet during the first 14 days of fall. choose a shady spot for your lawn that will get some protection from the hot summer sun. At Sod Solutions, we are often asked the question, When is the best time to lay new sod? Knowing when to lay sod ensures a beautiful, successful yard. The best time of year to lay sod is in the spring or fall, when the temperatures are cooler and the rainfall is plentiful. It is very hot and sometimes drought prone depending on your location. You can sow sod anytime the ground and temperatures do not exceed 90 degrees. At hotter temperatures, the sod dries out more quickly and suffers more shock. Remove all large stones, soil clods, tree roots and other debris from the surface. When youre ready to tackle this project, make sure you do your research and find the best time to lay sod in your area. As soon as the lorry arrives with your turf on board, start unstacking the pallet. In a perfect situation, anything below 40 degrees Fahrenheit would be too cold. In addition to temperature and type of sod, you must also consider proper ground preparation. In the summer, the sod must be laid quickly after delivery, but in the winter, it can be stored longer without fear of it overheating and dying. With this particular range, daytime air temperatures should be at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit or higher -- this turf species thrives and grows rapidly in hot weather. Insect Identification Sod is more expensive than seed, and it also requires more work to lay down. How long does it take for sod to root? The best time to lay sod is late summer or early fall, when daytime temperatures are still warm and nighttime temperatures are cooler. Laying turf is a quick and easy way to achieve your ideal lawn. Laying St. Augustine sod in the late summer or early fall is a risky proposition because cooler temperatures are on the horizon. Be sure to keep an eye on the weather. Too much rain can cause the sod to rot, while not enough rain can cause it to dry out and die. Take care never to overwater the sod while it is in the rooting stage. Once established, sod becomes less vulnerable to the vagaries of the weather, including temperature extremes. You will want to make sure that you keep your sod extra moist to maintain root healthespecially if you get an early hot day. Rainfall Another factor to consider is the amount of rainfall in your area. Fill in holes, pull weeds. manicured lawn look, don't use Centipede sod. On the other hand, cold weather makes it more difficult for the grass to take. Once its down, youll need to water it regularly until it becomes established. As a general rule, keep the soil moist three inches below the surface when establishing. Tight-fitting seams will also grow together and disappear quicker than loose-fitting ones. Minimal quantity 500m. What does a blinking blue light on a smoke detector mean? This will allow the roots the time they need to firmly take hold of the soil as it firms up for the first mow. 2023 | Lawn Affection | Your Dream Paradise. Sit back and relax, and let the professionals get their hands dirty. 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. With this particular range, daytime air temperatures should be at least 80 degrees. Till the amendments into the soil to a depth of 4 inches. Their biggest concern is with homeowners who just dont know enough about sod to properly prepare the ground and sod during a dormant season. Sod can be laid at any point during the growing season. All of these factors make it more difficult for sod to take root and establish itself. At hotter temperatures, the sod dries out more quickly and suffers more shock. As a result, some of your grass may die off. And you will need to work fast. 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. Youre not made of sugar and you wont dissolve if you get a bit damp. While it may make sense to wait, sometimes you dont have a choice. It should have just enough moisture content to keep the dust down. 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. If youre laying sod in a shady area, its best to do so in the spring or fall. St. Augustine sod installation works best when the temperature is between 80 and 100 degrees. 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