BEFORE YOU PLANT SOD AND GRASS
BEFORE YOU PLANT SOD AND GRASSYou may want to plant sod when your lawn is patchy or dying. Some homeowners opt to reseed their lawns. However, the process can take much longer than they expect. That’s why many homeowners opt to install sod in their lawn.
Laying sod offers an array of advantages over a seeded lawn. This is because sod is healthy when it is installed. Moreover, it is sown closely to limit weed infiltration. If you opt for laid sod, learn about the appropriate lawn care in our Maintenance section. Your grass sod will thrive when you are fully prepared!
Before you plant sod, it’s important to consider the layout of your yard as well as the condition of your soil. This will help you determine the best turf grasses for your yard’s environment. With the right preparation and planning, your sod will have a much better chance of taking root, giving you a lush, vibrant lawn.
CONSIDER THE LOCAL CLIMATE
When you want to plant sod, an effective means of choosing the right grass variety is to consider the local climate. In Montgomery County and across our part of Texas, it’s best to opt for St. Augustine or Bermuda. The reason behind this is that these grass varieties provide more resistance against heat and drought, allowing them to stay healthy throughout the year. Our sod farm specializes in grasses that thrive in the summer months because that’s how our part of Texas feels at any given time of year.
WHAT KIND OF FOOT TRAFFIC DOES YOUR YARD GET?
Do your kids and pets spend a lot of time in the yard? If so, you’ll want to plant sod that won’t be damaged by heavy foot traffic. For example, you may want to consider Zoysia grass or Bermuda. These types of grass tend to handle more foot traffic than other varieties because they can take the stress and bounce back.
MONITOR SUNLIGHT
When your yard has northern exposure or is shadier, St. Augustine sod may be an excellent option. Oftentimes, people forget to take daily exposure into account. However, this helps to ensure you plant sod that will thrive in your yard. For example, Bermuda turf may not thrive in the same environment as St. Augustine grass because it needs more exposure to bright sunlight.
ADDRESS DRAINAGE ISSUES
Too much water is harmful to fresh sod. If excess water won’t drain out of the yard, it won’t be able to develop a strong root system. In some instances, homeowners will install a drainage system to move excess water from problem areas, rerouting it to an area that needs more water.
Additionally, you need to grade soil away from your home. Gradual slopes that lead out to your street will help to establish an ideal water flow.
UTILIZING ADDITIVES
While they aren’t crucial, additives are beneficial to your lawn’s topsoil. A wide variety of topsoil is available on the market. If you have questions or need recommendations, feel free to contact The Grass Store!
A fertilizer spreader can also be helpful as well as applying a starter fertilizer that stimulates root growth. However, it is best to avoid seasonal fertilizers because they can be high in nitrogen, which potentially burns and stresses the lawn.
At The Grass Store, our sod is fertilized and treated for weeds prior to harvest. This eliminates the need for customers to apply any fertilizers or chemicals that could stunt healthy root establishment as they plant sod. After about 30 days, your planted grass will be ready for use!