FAQ Sod
How big is a roll of sod? It is 3 ft. long by 2 ft. wide or 6 sq. ft. To figure how many rolls you need, multiply the length (in feet) of the area you are covering by the width (in feet). Divide this number by 6.
Quinn Farrington
Nursery Area Manager
Why don't you always have sod in stock?
Sod is very perishable especially in hot weather. We try to get in small amounts frequently so as to have fresh sod available as much as possible.
Depending on weather and demand, we can run out of sod within hours after we
receive it. It is best to call before you come to verify that we have sod
in stock. For larger orders, you can preorder and prepay for your sod and
we will have it ready for you when you arrive. You can have sod delivered
to your driveway for an extra charge.
What kind of grass in your sod? It is a blend of improved Kentucky bluegrasses chosen for outstanding overall performance in our area. This sod stays green for over 9 months of of the year. It handles the activities of families with children and dogs. The varieties are selected to make it adaptable to sunny and moderately-shaded areas. They will outperform the old bluegrass varieties in drought tolerance. This sod is resistant to fungal disease and insects as well.
If reduced watering and maintenance is your primary concern we have two other choices by special order only. Reveille which is a new hybrid cross between Kentucky bluegrass and Texas bluegrass and prefers more dry down between waterings. Reveille maintains its dark green well into the cooler seasons. 100% Pure Gold is a dark green turf-type tall fescue that can be very drought tolerant with good wear and shade tolerance, but only with proper soil preparation and deep rototilling so the roots can grow deeper. Both Reveille and 100% Pure Gold come in a 10 sq. ft. roll (2' x 5'.)
What should I do to the ground to get it ready for sod? The starting level of the ground should be about 3" lower than the final level you want. For smaller areas add 1 bag of Nature's Yield compost for each 15 sq. ft. or 1 large bale of Premier sphagnum peat moss per each 70 sq. ft. of area to be covered. For larger areas add 4 cu. yards or 100 cu. ft. of compost or other organic materials per 1000 sq. ft. of area to be covered. Don't skimp here. This step is the most important thing you can do now to help you have a beautiful lawn for decades. This is your ONLY chance to add organic material to improve your soil underneath. You can save thousands of dollars over the life of the lawn in water alone.
Rototill it as deeply as you can (6" deep is preferred). Level the ground by raking and removing any large rocks or other debris. Slope the ground away from the house, sidewalks, driveways, etc. (Remember the level will be 2" higher with the sod on top.) Roll the ground with a lawn roller. Water the area to help settle the ground and reveal any low spots.
How often should I water my sod? A
new lawn takes more a more frequent, but lighter watering schedule than an
established lawn. Don't let the rolls dry out before installation.
Start watering within 30 minutes after installation. Apply about 1" of
water initially so that the sod and the top 2" ground underneath is thoroughly
wet. Water up to 4 times a day especially in the middle of the day, if it
is hot and sunny. Water enough to keep the sod and 2" underneath moist.
Learn to read your lawn for water needs. If it looks green and lush
like when it was installed, it is probably getting enough water. As the
roots move into the soil underneath (you can lift up a corner of a roll and see
the white tips coming out. ) and the sod attaches to the ground, you can
reduce the frequency and increase the duration gradually until after 2 weeks you
can water your turf normally.
What about weeds? You may want to control the existing weeds before you start, remove them or spray them with Roundup or Green Thumb Weed & Grass Killer a couple days before you begin.
How
soon can I play on my new lawn?
You can walk gently on it as needed, but avoid heavy use until it is rooted into
the soil.