Jul 17, 2012 - Should I wait until fall for it to cool down to lay Zenith Zoysia sod? RealTemp is the exception. We have a sod calculator so you can estimate the pricing for your installation. Check the soil to determine what nutrients the ground needs to best support root growth. Answered. Angie’s List states that sod can cost anywhere from around 30 to 45 cents per square foot. For more tips and information, contact Emerald Sod Farms today. Answer: Summer (late summer) Explanation: Sod can be installed at almost any time of the year. Water thoroughly one or two days before the sod is delivered so that the top several inches of soil are wetted. 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. Is it too hot to lay sod? At What Temperatures Can You Lay Sod? High temperatures can easily burn your Sod and make it 3x more difficult for it to grow correctly. Here’s how to get best results when laying turf in hot weather. Once established, sod becomes less vulnerable to the vagaries of the weather, including temperature extremes. This is why we always advise our customers to plan to have their sod delivered AFTER all of the land prep has been finished. Turf Magazine, the industry magazine for all things turf, says that laying sod in the winter is “risky business”. Even though winter is here and much of the United States is getting freezing temperatures and snow, doesn’t mean construction, especially home building stops. It also influences the abilities of a player. can help you determine which sod is best for your specific project needs and make recommendations for when to lay it, and. Broadly there are two kinds of grasses, warm-season and cold-season. Laying turf is a quick and easy way to achieve your ideal lawn. Commerce City, CO 80022, Contractors Call For Commercial Pricing/Emerald Sod Farms Sells 100% Alfalfa Hay -, Turf Magazine, the industry magazine for all things turf, says that, in the winter is “risky business”. Check the soil to be sure, and add water if needed. 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. For instance, lay bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) sod, which is hardy in USDA zones 7 through 10, from March through November. The time to lay sod is early morning before it gets too hot. Before you lay sod: Check the temperature. If a frost hits, stay off the grass to prevent damage. Good temperatures for grass. Fertilize: Nutrients can escape from the soil during the warmer months of the year. Your sod quickly dies back and requires extensive replacement with cool weather installations. The Verdict on Sod . Sod dries out quickly, which can cause the roots to die before they become established. A sod cutter is recommended for quick removal of old sod and weeds. But there are other benefits to laying sod in the winter as well. The dormant sod can be frozen but does need to be thawed prior to rolling it out. Ideal Sod Laying Temperature. Printables Buyer's Guides Basics Reviews. Molecules at higher temperatures have more energy, thus they can vibrate faster. Lay the next row of sod. In Texas, that means laying this sod between the late spring and late summer months. To keep things this way, we finance it through advertising and shopping links. It is also important to ensure that the temperatures are not too cold. How to Lay Turf. Their biggest concern is with homeowners who just don’t know enough about, the ground and sod during a dormant season. Their biggest concern is with homeowners who just don’t know enough about sod to properly prepare the ground and sod during a dormant season. Unfortunately you won't always get to choose when you lay your sod, and planting sod in summer heat or winter cold can affect your choice of grass. October Sod. as well. Overall, sod can be laid when neither the ground nor sod is frozen. The tender grass roots are easily damaged by heat and drought. If the initial soil temperature measurement is only a degree or two above 65 degrees, test the temperature at several other locations, especially in areas that get less sun. Fall is a great time to install because the of the cooler weather; the sod will be less likely to dry out. Jul 17, 2012 - Should I wait until fall for it to cool down to lay Zenith Zoysia sod? Installing and caring for your sod doesn’t have to be hard, but doing it properly will protect your investment for years to come. Rake the area to smooth and level it. How Long Will Sod Last After It Is Rolled Up? Zoysiagrass (Zoysia angustifolia) grows in USDA zones 9 through 11 and can be planted in spring or summer. You can lay sod anytime during the growing season, although spring and early autumn are best—cool temperatures combined with occasional rain help sod quickly root. Planting sod at the right time and temperature helps ensure that the roots become established quickly. At hotter temperatures, the sod dries out more quickly and suffers more shock. The best time to lay your new sod is when night temperatures range between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Water lightly several times each day over the next two weeks so that the soil remains moist to a depth of 4 inches. You will not have to water your sod as often, but when you do water it, water it for a longer period of time so that the water can reach down to the roots and last longer between watering. Then allow time for the soil to drain so that it’s not muddy and is workable. 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. Should I wait until fall for it to cool down to lay Zenith Zoysia sod? Use the sod calculator to help you estimate the number of square feet of sod you will need. Laying sod is unfortunately not the cheapest thing to do. You don’t want it much colder or hotter than that. In general, though, the ideal time to lay sod is when daytime temperatures are cool -- between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. You'll need to be diligent in keeping it watered, and ideally water the soil before putting down your sod. 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. 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. 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. Article from hometalk.com. You can store sod indoors temporarily at a temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit, but you need to lay it quickly while it is still moist and healthy. Since grass is usually dormant in winter, extra care must be taken to ensure the sod takes root, and that the roots don't dry out during this slow growth period. This is key to not having weeds growing up between your sod strips while the lawn is establishing. In mild climates, you can lay sod almost year round as long as the ground isn't frozen or a frost isn't expected. Creating a lawn by laying sod is simpler than babying grass seed along, but it's not without its hazards. At the colder end of the scale you might still get an overnight frost which could kill off the root system. Answer + 6. Jul 17, 2012 - Should I wait until fall for it to cool down to lay Zenith Zoysia sod? During the summer the temperature is hot and there’s too much sun exposure. Cooler spring temperatures help to prevent sod from drying out before it roots in, and fast root and leaf development occurs in summer. Hardware doesn’t damage easily if it gets a bit hot but if it gets too hot, your system might shut down and eventually, your hardware might be damaged. How Late in the Year Can You Put Sod Down? When is it too late to lay sod? If you have another type of thermometer, it will work, too, as long as it can measure temperatures between 33 and 85 degrees. 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. I've found that watering in the early morning or late evening works best for my lawn and I don't have to water as often. Lay sod strips with the ends butting up together, but not overlapping. Organic Garden Supplies.. Follow these steps to do the job right the first time. 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. In areas with cold winters, the prospect of freezing temperatures and hard-frozen soil means homeowners can't put down sod too late in the season. More . Sod is an investment of time and money, and nothing would be worse than having some sod die as you work away at your project. Before you install the sod, remove any weeds or rocks from the ground. If there is no potential for frost or freeze, water the ground and lay the dormant sod end to end. In January alone, average highs range from about 54 degrees in Dallas to 64 in Houston. The speed of sound in room temperature air is 346 meters per second. St. Augustine sod installation works best when the temperature is between 80 and 100 degrees. Cold-season grasses prefer cooler weather and your. Stagger the rolls so the short seams are touching but create a brick-laying pattern rather than creating a long rut. Regardless of the season, the ground must be ready for the sod to take root and create the beautiful lush lawn you desire. Plan the sod pick up or schedule the delivery for the day you want to complete the project. In general, it is best to lay sod in the spring or fall when the temperatures are mild and precipitation is heavier. Our warm season grasses, like Zenith Zoysia and Sovereign Bermudagrass, are better to install in the spring or summer. Just the Right Amount of Rain Whether you’re using sod to start a new lawn from scratch or improve an existing one, the grass requires a lot of watering in the beginning. Please fill out the form and we will contact you to help you with your sod installation. So here’s the verdict: Install early in Spring or late in the Fall. In cool weather, you need to water less frequently. There’s no shortage of apps that can measure your system’s temperature however not many will alert you when your CPU is running too hot. Since the molecules vibrate faster, sound waves can travel more quickly. However, the article does go on to say that laying sod in the winter is possible, especially if the temperatures are nice – something that happens often in sunny Colorado. This brief winter dormancy in cool season grasses is normal in the northern part of the country. Overall, sod can be laid when neither the ground nor sod is frozen. If installed in the middle of winter in freezing temperatures, the sod might lay dormant on top of the soil and resume growing once weather warms in March. When applying fertilizer, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommended rates; over fertilizing can damage or even kill your lawn. The end result depends on how much sod you intend to lay down, because sod is priced according to square foot. The nights are still cool. She's the creator of MarmaladeMom.org, dedicated to family fun and delicious food, and released a book titled "More Than Pot Roast: Fast, Fresh Slow Cooker Recipes.". Check out this quick guide to learn all you need to know about PLA print & bed temperature. Once you've laid the sod, soak the soil again so that it's moist at 4 inches beneath the surface. Initiating a sod lawn when the temperatures are pleasant--not too hot, and not too cold--is ideal for optimum growth. Your email address will not be published. Heat, like sound, is a form of kinetic energy. Common sense would tell you to lay Sod in the summer, and that’s actually a bad idea. These include protecting the ground from erosion, using less water, and having the sod take root and grow as soon as spring hits. 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. They're dormant in winter, and won't "green up" until spring, but they'll keep your newly installed lawn from eroding or turning into a mud pit in the meantime. It's still a really good time of year to lay sod. Before you order new sod, think about what the average temps will be over the next month or so. The ideal temperature range for laying sod is between 12 and 18 degrees Celsius. Sod is a hefty investment, so it is critical to prepare the planting area and tend the turf with care. Sod can dry out and die, so it’s important to ensure it always has enough moisture. Avoid working the soil when it's wet, which causes hard clumps of soil to form. For more tips and information, Add side navigation to your pages for more convenient website browsing. Julie Christensen is a food writer, caterer, and mom-chef. If you’ve not done it before, here’s a video from our sister-company to remind you how it’s done. 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. 1 Fertilize the soil. Timing and Laying Sod A man is unrolling sod. For our cool season grasses like Durablend Tall Fescue and HD 2000 Kentucky Bluegrass, you can install sod all year long. Freezing temperatures rarely happen in Texas, and when when temperatures drop, it’s never for an extended period of time. Add fertilizer with nutrients to the ground and till the earth about 3-4 inches deep. If the ground freezes and is too hard, it will inhibit the sod from forming a root system, even with the addition of a nutrient rich soil. It likes warm soil. Warm weather necessitates more frequent watering. Laying Turf on a Hot Day. The type of sod being laid is critical because a hearty sod is more likely to handle our colder winters than others. These include protecting the ground from erosion, using less water, and having the sod take root and grow as soon as spring hits. If it’s too hot or too cold you can have a hard time getting sod to take root. Laying fescue in summer is more problematic, because as a cool weather grass it's susceptible to the heat. The best time to lay sod is in late summer and early fall when temperatures are cooler but grass continues to grow. Here in Colorado, however, we can achieve mild temperatures year-round, and the temperature isn’t the only factor to consider. Temperature can affect the sound of an instrument in a variety of ways, which are different for each instrument. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Cold-season grasses prefer cooler weather and your sod expert will point you in the right direction. Printables; Buyer's Guides; Basics; Reviews; Pro . If you have questions you can either call303-654-0202 or fill out our contact form. Gardening. doesn’t have to be hard, but doing it properly will protect your investment for years to come. In addition to temperature and type of sod, you must also consider proper ground preparation. Get It 3D Printed This article is free for you and free from outside influence. Temperature is also a condition that affects the speed of sound. Add 2 inches of compost or manure, as well as any other amendments indicated by a soil test. In fact, roots require soil temperatures higher than 55 F to stimulate growth. For that reason, contractors often lay sod in the winter so that, come spring, their houses are framed by green grass. Image Credit: brebca/iStock/Getty Images Make sure the ground is level and free of any debris. While it may make sense to wait, sometimes you don’t have a choice. Temperature and the speed of sound. Clemson Cooperative Extension: Lawn Establishment, University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program: Establishing a Lawn From Sod. The successful establishment of a new lawn depends on careful soil preparation, as well as planting grass at the right time. Fresh sod needs to be planted quickly so it can be watered and start receiving nutrients from the soil. Need some more help or just have some questions. Cold-season grasses like fescue can be put down at any time of year, though they prefer the cooler months. The ground should stay moist, not saturated, and this can be accomplished with winter precipitation. Using spring and summer for installation allows the grass to establish quickly with vigorous above and underground stem spread. Till the amendments into the soil to a depth of 4 inches. The trick is to keep an eye on your system’s temperature. The soil in the planting area should be moist, not soggy or dry. Here in Colorado, however, we can achieve mild temperatures year-round, and the temperature isn’t the only factor to consider. 31581 E. 128th Ave. In general, though, the ideal time to lay sod is when daytime temperatures are cool -- between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Early summer is the ideal time to lay Zoysia. 4. Is It Safe to Lay St. Augustine Sod in October? Explore. Soak the soil to a depth of 8 inches a few days before planting, especially during hot weather. on Jul 14, 2012. Once the area is cleared, lay down a bed of fresh black dirt so the sod can take root easily. 9 answers Douglas Hunt. Prepare your soil. While it may make sense to wait, sometimes you don’t have a choice. The heat we love so much just means that the grass needs a little more water. In Texas, that means laying this sod between the late spring and late summer months. At lower temperatures, the ground might freeze, preventing the roots from becoming established. Fill in holes, pull weeds. The best time to plant St. Augustine sod is when the temperature is 80 degrees Fahrenheit or higher during the day and at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night. If you lay down centipede sod in the fall or winter, including October, you won't see the light green color for which it's known until the spring. It’s also recommended to add a layer of fertilizer. If the ground remains warm, you are good to proceed. If you need to lay sod in a larger area, it’s more cost-effective to buy larger rolls. Is it too hot to lay sod? In spring, ensure that the ground isn’t frozen and that the temperatures are going to remain above freezing to ensure adequate time for your sod to take root. Timing is key when laying fresh sod in Atlanta. One of the things that homeowners appreciate (and makes homes much easier to sell) is a nice, green lawn. Temperatures are also lower in the winter, which results in less evaporation. 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