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Sod: Everything About Those Big Rolls Of Grass

11 October 2017

Jose Wheeler

You know the beauty of a lush, gorgeous lawn. You probably even know that sod is the quickest way to get a usable and green lawn right away. However, did you know how sod is made and harvested, or the best time to lay sod? Find out everything you ever wondered about concerning sod.

Sod Cultivation

To create those big rolls of grass, sod farmers choose a specific grass species or blend of grasses that's known to be durable and dense. Because sod is normally cultivated locally, the farmers can choose grasses that grow well in that area. They till and moisten the soil before sowing the seeds. These sod gardens may be outdoor fields or within indoor greenhouses.

Sod farmers maintain the growing grass with the appropriate applications of water and fertilizer. It takes several weeks for the grass to knit to the ground in a thick carpet. When it does, the sod farmers use a mechanical sod harvester to cut the swaths of sod. The harvester cuts two to three inches into the planting bed to harvest the roots and surrounding soil. They then roll the swaths with the greens facing inward. They typically mist the rolls lightly before transporting them.

Laying Sod

You can have your sod lawn laid at any time during the growing season. However, Better Homes and Gardens recommends choosing spring or early fall. At these times, temperatures are cooler, and you're more likely to get a little rain.

Laying sod can be an involved process, which is why it's usually best left to lawncare experts. They can test your soil and amend it appropriately. They'll also further prepare the soil by tilling and fertilizing it. It's also essential to kill off any weeds and create a flat surface for the sod.

The actual laying of sod is back-breaking work. Lawncare experts also create a jigsaw of sod swaths to stagger the seams. They can also cut the swaths to conform to corners or other existing structures.

Maintaining Sod

Once the sod has been laid, contractors usually apply fertilizer. A slow-release fertilizer is ideal to promote root growth. For the first two weeks, it's necessary to keep sod consistently moist. This may even involve watering more than once a day. After your sod has knitted with the underlying soil, it's just a matter of maintaining your lawn with regular watering and fertilizing.

The big benefit of sod is that you can enjoy your lush, green lawn from day one. Talk to a local lawncare experts, like one from Heritage Lawn & Landscape LLC, about creating this instant lawn with sod. 

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