Growing St. Augustine from seed is quite difficult, so using plugs or sod is recommended. However, there are types of sod that perform differently in this temperature. The best time of year to lay sod is in the spring or fall, when the temperatures are cooler and the rainfall is plentiful. Always have enough helpers on hand, you dont want the sod to be stacked on the pallet for much longer than 24 hours, they can easily heat up to 130 F in that amount of time. Read How to Lay Sod in the Summer for more details. Moderate temperatures are best when laying new sod. 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.". Thats why we buy single-serving coffee makers and microwave bacon. If you have a lot of weeds or dead grass, it is best to lay the sod after you have taken care of those issues. When its hot outside, all living things need to take care of themselves. What does a blinking blue light on a smoke detector mean? Whether youre looking to overseed, patch up bare spots or start a new lawn, our varieties of warm and cool season grass seed will ensure your landscape project is completed properly. At lower temperatures, the ground might freeze, preventing the roots from becoming established. The annual subscription includes three seasonal boxes for spring, summer and fall. Mid to late spring is an ideal time. Here are a few tips for sowing sod in hot weather: Sod is a great way to give your yard a fresh, new look. Other Factors It all comes down to temperature. If its too hot, the sod will dry out and die. . That demonstrates how hardy sod can be. Over time, showerheads can become clogged with deposits of calcium, magnesium, lime, silica, and other minerals. Before you even order your turf, make sure that the soil is all prepared and that you have all the tools and watering equipment you need. Walter Reeves: St. Augustine-Planting Sod, North Carolina State University: Grass Selection, The Temperature Range for Winter Rye Grass, The Temperature That Grass Starts to Grow After Winter. Planting sod at the right time and temperature helps ensure that the roots become established quickly. Creating a lawn by laying sod is simpler than babying grass seed along, but it's not without its hazards. With this particular range, daytime air temperatures should be at least 80 degrees. Home; Schwerdt-Blog; Autor The tender grass roots are easily damaged by heat and drought. Remove all large stones, soil clods, tree roots and other debris from the surface. You may need to order a bit extra to account for any discrepancies. Prep your soil by watering, and lay compost for the next few weeks. You may see weeds growing between the sod patches after installation if there is any spacing since their roots are actively spreading through the soil. Water each section of turfing as soon as it has been laid. New turf needs water, air, and sunlight so it is important that the rolls do not sit on a pallet for a long period of time. If you live in a climate with mild winters, fall is usually the best time to lay sod because your grass will have time to establish strong roots before going dormant for winter and before summer heat sets in. At hotter temperatures, the sod dries out more quickly and suffers more shock. It is, however, best to do so in the spring or early autumn. However, spring and autumn are the best seasons for sod. Postpone summer installation if temperatures are in the high 80's or 90's. . All you have to do is continue to water your sod and avoid walking on it. Cold-season grasses like fescue can be put down at any time of year, though they prefer the cooler months. When your turf arrives you will need to lay it immediately no faffing! as well. Never ever water rolled up turf. These include protecting the ground from erosion, using less water, and having the sod take root and grow as soon as spring hits. Sod can be sown in the summer, but it is more challenging because the heat can cause the sod to dry out quickly. Dry and/or hard soil. This turf must NOT dry out. You can enjoy your sodded lawn sooner than a seeded one. If you find youre running out of time in your schedule, but need the job done fast, its always best to recruit the help of a professional. Sod can dry out and die, so its important to ensure it always has enough moisture. However, extreme cold does not affect some grass types, like turfgrass. The dormant sod can be frozen but does need to be thawed prior to rolling it out. Unlike seeding a lawn, which can be done at any time of year (provided the ground isnt frozen), the best time to lay sod is in the spring or autumn. Sodding during an extended drought can be problematic, even with sprinklers or an irrigation system. As an expert in the sod installation business, you probably are already aware that the ideal temperature for laying sod is when the thermostat reads between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit.. Before rolling out the soil, make sure it has thawed. 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. However, the practice comes with a myriad of challenges. There are a few things to consider when deciding when to lay sod. Conduct a soil test to ensure your soil has the right balance of proper nutrients. This will help reduce stress on the grass as it adapts to its new environment. Due to the hot weather, the sods roots will grow deeper in search of nutrients and water. Thats not to say I would recommend it! These include protecting the ground from erosion, using less water, and having the sod take root and grow as soon as spring hits. When youre ready to tackle this project, make sure you do your research and find the best time to lay sod in your area. The sod will therefore die. You also run the risk of having weeds invade before your grass has had a chance to grow on its own. Sod rolls can heat up and quickly deteriorate during transport, or while its still stacked on a pallet waiting to be installed. Fertilize with the same starter fertilizer 30 to 45 days after installation. Laying sod is best done on a cloudy, cool day when the soil is not excessively hot or dry. Even if the grass is green and growing, if the ground is still frozen underneath, you will have trouble with the sod not sticking and getting established. Avoid installing sod in summer as the extra water required for establishment could result in added disease pressure and increased water bills. The best time to lay sod is late summer or early fall, when daytime temperatures are still warm and nighttime temperatures are cooler. St. Augustine turf is naturally dormant in the winter, so it is essential to lay the sod no later than mid-summer for proper soil adhesion and root growth. . 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. Avoid laying sod during times of drought or water restriction. What temperature is too cold for sod? Water shadier spots less than the sunnier spots to help reduce disease. Sod can be installed at almost any time of the year. Sod also discourages soil erosion, provides instant landscape coverage, and can help eliminate the need for pesticides and herbicides. Lawn Disease Control 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. Good ventilation is essential if you want to avoid sod heating. The days are getting longer, the temperatures are warming up, and the rainfall is typically plentiful. When youre laying sod, timing is everything. 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. In general, though, the ideal time to lay sod is when daytime temperatures are cool between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. 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. You can lay sod anytime during the growing season, although spring and early autumn are bestcool temperatures combined with occasional rain help sod quickly root. This also gives the sod plenty of time to get established before winter weather arrives. The location of your sod will also affect when you should lay it. For more tips and information,contact Emerald Sod Farms today. If youre laying sod in a shady area, its best to do so in the spring or fall. Grass plugs are a great tool for repairing damaged areas of the lawn or to establish a lawn when sod or seed is not available or practical. Too much rain can cause the sod to rot, while not enough rain can cause it to dry out and die. The reason is that the sod on the edges is the most likely to dry out. If the sod has resistance, it is rooted in and can be treated as an established . As soon as the soil temperature reaches about 50 degrees, your lawn will be full and green before anyone else. You should find the email address on your delivery paperwork. Unfortunately you wont always get to choose when you lay your sod, and planting sod in summer heat or winter cold can affect your choice of grass. Water thoroughly one or two days before the sod is delivered so that the top several inches of soil are wetted. Bear in mind that should your turf not establish well, its for you to prove to your supplier that you DID lay it within 8 hours of delivery. Spread 0.25 to 0.5 pounds of grass seed per 1,000 square feet. Even though the British Climate is unpredictable, we usually know that June, July, August and sometimes September bring spells of hot weather. Youll therefore notice some dead patches throughout your entire lawn. As soon as the lorry arrives with your turf on board, start unstacking the pallet. If the weather is going to be warm, there are a few extra precautions you need to take if you want your lawn to be successful. Delay sod installations until soil temperatures are consistently in the mid-50s F or warmer. You dont want to, The best time of day to lay sod is in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler. The surface should slope away from foundations. Fill in holes, pull weeds. Here in Colorado, however, we can achieve mild temperatures year-round, and the temperature isnt the only factor to consider. The successful establishment of a new lawn depends on careful soil preparation, as well as planting grass at the right time. Its easy to over-water, so be careful. doesnt have to be hard, but doing it properly will protect your investment for years to come. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); I grew up in a lush New York neighborhood where many people concerned themselves with lawn care. At lower temperatures, the ground might freeze, preventing the roots from becoming established. Remove any excess thatch and loosen the top of the soil with a rake. Although turfgrass is not affected by freezing weather, it is dormant when it is cold and active when it is warm. You'll need to be diligent in keeping it watered, and ideally water the soil before putting down your sod. If soil temperatures dip below 55 degrees Fahrenheit, sod roots stop their growth. Read more in this blog. April through September or late summer, early fall is the best time to lay sod. To make the process easier, you can mix one pound of grass seed with one gallon of sand and use a spreader. Cultured sod comes with a pre-established root system to get it off to a quick start. Sod will not root properly if the temperature is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit or above 85 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, cold weather makes it more difficult for the grass to take. Click to visit the supplier's official website. This is because the temperatures have cooled down from the summer highs and you tend to get more precipitation during these months.