As long as the ground isnt frozen, you can lay sod any time of year. Cold, dry winds can dry out the roots quickly and cause major issues. You might get wet knees or muddy hands but that doesnt matter. Here are a few tips for sowing sod in hot weather: Sod is a great way to give your yard a fresh, new look. If youre going to sow sod in the summer, make sure you have a plan to keep it moist until its established. If its too cold, too hot or both, your sod wont root into the ground. 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. When the turf tries to absorb moisture from the ground, the ice freezes the blades, killing your new sod. You'll need to be diligent in keeping it watered, and ideally water the soil before putting down your sod. Many people ask, What temperature is too cold to lay sod? What temperature is suitable for sodding? If soil temperatures dip below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, sod roots stop their growth. Install new sod in late winter or early summer. 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. That demonstrates how hardy sod can be. How Do I Fix Bare or Brown Spots in My Lawn? If you must lay sod early, try to wait until late spring and position the grass in a sunny area. Laying sod is a big job, but its worth it when you have a beautiful, green lawn. Prep your soil by watering, and lay compost for the next few weeks. Who wouldnt want their lawn looking its very best? link to Can you cook mince 1 day out of date? And thats why we have sod, because many of us prefer a ready-made lawn to one that needs time and nurturing. No, it is not too late to lay sod in . Its easy to install and maintain, and its perfect for busy people who dont have time to mow a lawn. In general, though, the ideal time to lay sod is when daytime temperatures are cool between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. 2023 | Lawn Affection | Your Dream Paradise. If youre looking for more information on sod installation in South Carolina, keep reading. 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. What is the best grass seed for hot weather? In cool weather, you need to water less frequently. How Do You Get Rid Of Hard Calcium Deposits In The Shower? Keep all foot traffic and lawnmowers off the grass until it is established. Be sure to fertilize your lawn to promote healthy rooting and establishment. It is very hot and sometimes drought prone depending on your location. Broadly there are two kinds of grasses, warm-season and cold-season. While this might be at the top of your list, other issues such as those stunting the growth of your grass should take priority first. Is It Safe to Lay St. Augustine Sod in October? Water often to make sure of this. If you absolutely must lay sod in the fall, do so as early in the season as possible. Timing will vary by several days or even weeks, depending on the arrival of winter in each region. The successful establishment of a new lawn depends on careful soil preparation, as well as planting grass at the right time. When its hot outside, all living things need to take care of themselves. But again, it all depends on whether you live in a colder or warmer region. 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. Menu. From fertilizer to disease control, our goal is to provide you with the knowledge and tools to ensure you have the best looking lawn on the block. Water again before you go to bed. Test the soil to ensure the pH level is safe for your new sod. Make small piles of turf on the prepared soil. The best time to lay your new sod is when night temperatures range between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. What is the average time it takes to lay sod? Remove all large stones, soil clods, tree roots and other debris from the surface. The first factor to consider is the weather. Unlike other grass species, St. Augustine (Stenotaphrum secundatum) turf is not typically seeded because it spreads easily through above ground stolons. In general, spring and fall are ideal times for laying down sod. On the other hand, too little water will also affect sod success. Thats not to say I would recommend it! But if you have a spot in your yard that needs new grass right away, dont wait go ahead and lay sod! I once watched sod put down during a late November snowstorm; it froze solid before knitting into the soil. 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 ground should stay moist, not saturated, and this can be accomplished with winter precipitation. The best time of day to lay sod is in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler. In addition to temperature and type of sod, you must also consider proper ground preparation. Soak the soil to a depth of 8 inches a few days before planting, especially during hot weather. If sodding a hillside or steep slope, lay sod horizontally. . Some of the old standby varieties need more water, fertilizer and fungicides. Best Temperature For Laying Sod Is 60-80 Degrees Best temperature for laying sodis 60-80 degrees. In a few hours, you have an instant lawn that looks like its been there forever. Sod is perishable and should be installed immediately after delivery, especially when the weather is hot and dry. TheLawnifi New Lawn Starter Boxis designed for newly sodded, seeded or plugged lawns. The second is your schedule. Whether youre on the hunt for one-time sod installation, or recurring services, were the team for the job. The first factor to consider is the weather. We recommend our. 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. So generally the best time for applying weed and feed in early spring or early autumn. Our yard looks amazing and we will be life long customers. But there are other benefits to laying sod in the winter as well. The days are getting longer, the temperatures are warming up, and the rainfall is typically plentiful. However, the practice comes with a myriad of challenges. As soon as the lorry arrives with your turf on board, start unstacking the pallet. This is because the temperatures have cooled down from the summer highs and you tend to get more precipitation during these months. Consider the following factors when deciding when to lay sod: Its never too late to lay sod! You can enjoy your sodded lawn sooner than a seeded one. This is one of those times when many hands make light work. The biggest factor is the weather. How Warm Must it Be to Plant Lawn Grass Seed? All of these factors make it more difficult for sod to take root and establish itself. These include protecting the ground from erosion, using less water, and having the sod take root and grow as soon as spring hits. Therefore, note; The deep-freezing temperature is too cold to lay your sod. If you roll and water your sod appropriately, freezing temperatures may not be detrimental. Rain may delay this project. Youll therefore notice some dead patches throughout your entire lawn. This is because the temperatures have cooled down from the summer highs and you tend to get more precipitation during these months. But in general, here in Florida, you can have a new sod lawn installed most any month. Remove any excess thatch and loosen the top of the soil with a rake. In Texas, that means laying this sod between the late spring and late summer months. Need some more help or just have some questions. This will help to lock the sod rolls together once installed. Many homeowners prefer installing sod instead of babying grass seeds to create a beautiful lawn. All of these conditions help sod to take root quickly and establish itself before summer arrives. The inside of the roll will get all hot and steamy like a sauna and the plants will die. How to Market Your Business with Webinars. Walking over it may damage your grass. Aim to have at least 3 pairs of hands on site ready to receive the delivery. The ideal temperature to resod a lawn is 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Read How to Lay Sod in the Summer for more details. This can be measured in square feet. Take pictures (preferably with the date and time on them if youre camera lets you do that) and email them immediately. Check the soil to be sure, and add water if needed. 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. Joe's client base includes professional turf managers serving the lawn care, sports turf and golf course industries. 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. Sit back and relax, and let the professionals get their hands dirty. Anchor the sod using wooden stakes or dowels. Anything above 85 degrees Fahrenheit would be too hot. If you decide to go this route, remember to: The fourth thing to consider is your lawn. Sod can be placed at any time during the growing season. As a result, there is no harm in installing this type of turf during cold seasons such as winter. Powered by Coalmarch. Temperature can also pose a problem. Cold-season grasses like fescue can be put down at any time of year, though they prefer the cooler months. They range between 1326. The tender grass roots are easily damaged by heat and drought. Laying sod is the best choice when it's too hot to plant and nurture grass seed. Its better to have 2 or 3 deliveries of fresh turf over the course of several days, than it is to have lots of turf sitting on pallets going rotten. If its out of office hours you may end up leaving a message on an ansaphone but at least your concerns will be recorded. The best time to lay sod is in the spring or fall, when the weather is cool and wet. If its too hot, the sod will dry out and die. You should be sure to follow our installation guide which can be foundhere. Similar to all other seasons, water is very important and you will need to dampen the soil prior to laying the sod and continuously water the sod to ensure it stays moist. The best time of year to lay sod, however, is in early and mid-fall when temperatures are cooler but grass continues to grow. Any warm temperature exposure stimulates the grass out of dormancy for active growth. Although turfgrass is not affected by freezing weather, it is dormant when it is cold and active when it is warm. It's also good to plant it during fall or spring. can help you determine which sod is best for your specific project needs and make recommendations for when to lay it, and. If youre laying sod in a sunny area, you can do so year-round, as long as the temperature is right. Its easy to over-water, so be careful. This will help reduce stress on the grass as it adapts to its new environment. The ideal temperature to lay sod is when daytime temperatures are cool between 55- and 65-degrees Fahrenheit. The type of grass youre using will also play a role in when you should lay sod. Make sure the ground is firm before driving. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Each has their own benefit. Fix any areas that dip to avoid issues with drainage. You may need to order a bit extra to account for any discrepancies. 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. Here are some key things to aware of when laying sod in the fall: A good number of people, particularly in the south where warm season grasses are grown, believe that laying sod in the winter isnt possible. The days are getting shorter, the temperatures are cooling off, and the ground is beginning to harden as it preparing for winter. Sod can be sown in the summer, but it is more challenging because the heat can cause the sod to dry out quickly. In a perfect situation, anything below 40 degrees Fahrenheit would be too cold. If youre considering installing sod, dont let the heat deter you with a little planning, you can have a beautiful, green lawn all summer long! To make the process easier, you can mix one pound of grass seed with one gallon of sand and use a spreader. We recommend our users to update the browser. link to How Do You Get Rid Of Hard Calcium Deposits In The Shower? Its why there seems to be a fast-food restaurant and a drive-thru window on just about every corner. Can you lay sod in the summer? doesnt have to be hard, but doing it properly will protect your investment for years to come. Sod is more expensive than seed, and it also requires more work to lay down. Before rolling out the soil, make sure it has thawed. And you will need to work fast. Sod can dry out and die, so its important to ensure it always has enough moisture. Once prepared, the soil surface should be firm and covered with about one-half inch of loose soil. 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 Coastal Turf. Ourinstallation guideis comprehensive and will help you install your lawn appropriately. If youve not done it before, heres a video from our sister-company to remind you how its done. If it's too hot, the sod will dry out and die. Check around for reputable sod sources so the sod youre getting contains the right grasses for your lawn. Sod can be laid at other times of the year, but it may not establish as well due to heat stress or drought conditions.