More information on Grass Sod!

Starting a lawn from grass sod creates an instant lawn. No hassle trying to nurture seeds into grass without weeds. It is much more expensive than using seed, but much faster.

Using grass sod for a lawn does have advantages though. It isn't as prone to drying out as young seedlings are. It anchors to the soil quickly so it can smother weed seedlings that pop up. It is ideal to use on slopes where rain can easily wash away the seeds. Grass sod still remains the number one choice when starting a new small to medium size lawn.

Grass sod also has some disadvantages. You will pay quite a lot more for grass sod than grass seed. There is a risk that the sod has bugs, diseases, or weeds. Sometimes sod can be so tightly matted that it needs to be aerated first so that water and fertilizer can penetrate to the root system. Not all grass types are available as sod. Depending on where you live, the best grass for your climate may not be available as sod.

You can lay grass sod down any time during the growing season but some times are better than others. For warm season grasses you should lay the sod down during early spring or early fall. Cool season grass sod should be planted in mid to late spring right before the hot days of summer arrive. Make sure you lay sod on a cool, cloudy day. This isn't for the sod's benefit but yours!

The best grasses to grow from grass sod for warm regions are Bahia grass, Bermuda grass, Buffalo grass, St. Augustine grass, and Zoysia grass. You can also get sod that is a blend of grass types. For cool regions I suggest bent grass, bluegrass or fescue.

When shopping for grass sod there are some things you need to check for. The sod should be moist but not dripping and the roots should be damp. If certified sod is available, get that. This guarantees that the sod has been composed of certain identified grasses and has been treated for diseases and insects. Get several estimates and make sure the price covers all costs including delivery.

Avoid grass sod that is matted tightly with tall grass blades. That sod has been around too long and is too old. Choose sod that has roots at least 1/2" long. The total thickness of the roots, grass, and soil should be between 1 and 3 inches. Do not choose sod that is yellow or brown. Pick a strong green color. Look under the sod for any sign of grubs or other lawn bugs.

Each piece of grass sod is usually 6 to 8 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 1 to 3 inches thick. It is sold by the square foot. For square or rectangle lawns you need to determine length times width for how much sod you need. If your lawn is 20 x 40 feet you will need 800 square feet of sod. Always add another 10% so you don't run short.

You have about 48 hours to lay grass sod after it's been delivered before irreversible damage is caused. Keep the sod wet and in a shady cool place while waiting to be put on the lawn.