For the Love of Sod!

It’s November. Halloween just ended, and Thanksgiving is right around the corner. Now, you’re probably not spending much time thinking about your grass, but maybe you should be.

We are past peak mowing season but if you’ve learned nothing from Perfection, learn this: lawn care is more than mowing. It’s also lawn applications like preemergent weed killers, aeration, overseeding, and sod installation. And believe it or not, now is the perfect time to start installing sod in Kentucky.

Dang It. I Thought I Was Done with Grass for Now!

Perhaps you feel a bit betrayed that as soon as we completed your last mow, we’re already talking about new grass. Hear us out.

As you may have noticed, the weather is not particularly warm right now. But it’s a great time to add cool-season grasses to your landscape.

While many people will install sod in the spring, especially for warm-season grasses, doing sod installation now will give your grass an extra season to establish before the warm weather hits. Then, your sod will gather strength and be ready for spring!

Why Use Pros to Install Your Sod?

Sod installation may seem pretty basic, but there are good reasons to hire a pro for your sod. It takes more than just laying the new green carpet onto the bare ground. We’ll get into the process shortly, but first, let’s talk about supply.

You have likely seen sod at a hardware store before. It often comes rolled up with a layer of roots and dirt beneath it like a lush green carpet. This grass is harvested by farmers who grow it specifically for installation.

Sod Farming

Sod should be harvested a year to eighteen months after planting. The time gives the grass long enough to develop root systems that maintain structure during harvesting and transportation. Farmers then harvest the sod cutting it to the desired width and thickness.

It’s vital when purchasing sod that you get it from a reputable source. Professional landscapers know the best place to get the sod that will be right for your property.

The best product has been harvested only hours before. Freshness is necessary for your best chance at the sod establishing itself on your property.

Sod Installation Procedure

So, how does one sod a property? Proper sod installation starts with testing the soil and ends with a healthy lawn.

Soil

Before laying down sod, it’s essential to check on the quality of your soil. We do this by testing the ground to see what nutrients it has and what nutrients it needs. If your soil is ready for the desired species of grass you want to plant, we can move on to the next step, but if not, we move on to soil amendment.

We will amend your soil with a general fertilizer or the specific nutrients your dirt lacks for growing your grass. Once the fertilizer has been added and mixed in, the ground is ready. We may also need to spend some time leveling out the land.

Water

Of course, grass needs water to grow. But it also needs it as soon as immediately upon planting. That sod has traveled on a truck to get to your property; now it’s thirsty.

We thoroughly soak the ground so that the plant roots immediately have access to water and give it the best chance of surviving and thriving.

Sod Installation and Care

Next, we can lay down the sod. This involves carefully placing the sod in parallel touching strips. We then water the sod.
After installation, we’ll let you know what you need to know to care for your delicate new grass. First, you will need to water it often.

Stay off of the new grass! You can’t walk on the fresh grass or lay anything heavy upon it for at least the first two weeks to allow it to establish itself. If planting in November, mowing will not be an issue, but when planting during warmer times of the year, we will need to mow with a push mower rather than a tractor for the sod’s first mowing.

Sodding vs. Seeding

When do you sod, and when do you seed? It’s partially a matter of preference and time, but generally, if you need to establish a large lawn quickly, you’ll want to install sod. On the other hand, if you have time or are trying to fill in some bare patches on a mostly established property, overseeding will do the job.

Dreaming of a Green Spring

If you’re already waiting for winter to be over and dreaming of spending time in your green yard, sod installation may be what you need to get a taste of warmer weather! Or you may have a practical need for some grass. Either way, we want to bring your landscape to a state of Perfection!