Sod is turfgrass pre-grown on specialized farms and harvested with a thin layer of soil and its intact root system, typically sold in rolls or squares. It offers an instant lawn, immediately transforming a bare area into a green space. Sod’s dense root network controls erosion from the moment it is laid down, which is especially beneficial for slopes or newly graded properties. A successful outcome depends entirely on making informed decisions before the purchase.
Selecting the Appropriate Grass Variety
Choosing a grass variety that matches your environmental conditions is crucial for the long-term health of your lawn. Climate is the primary factor, dictating whether a warm-season or cool-season grass is appropriate. Warm-season grasses (e.g., Bermuda grass, St. Augustine grass) thrive in high temperatures (80°F to 95°F) but become dormant and brown during winter. Cool-season grasses (e.g., Kentucky Bluegrass, Tall Fescue) grow best in moderate temperatures (60°F to 75°F) and often maintain their green color throughout the winter.
Sunlight exposure must be assessed when selecting a variety. Some grasses, like Bermuda grass, require full, direct sun to flourish. Conversely, areas receiving significant shade from trees or structures need a variety with high shade tolerance, such as Zoysia grass or St. Augustine grass. Selecting a sun-loving grass for a shady area results in a thin, struggling lawn susceptible to disease.
The intended use of the lawn area should narrow your options, as grass species vary widely in their tolerance for physical wear. High-traffic areas benefit from durable varieties like Bermuda or Zoysia grass. Maintenance requirements, including mowing height and water needs, also differ substantially between varieties, impacting the ongoing resources needed to keep the lawn healthy.
Determining the Required Quantity and Timing
Calculating the amount of sod needed is essential. To determine the total square footage, measure the length and width of the area and multiply the two dimensions. For irregularly shaped areas, divide the space into smaller, measurable shapes (rectangles, squares, or triangles), calculate the area of each, and then sum the totals.
It is recommended to add a waste factor of approximately 5% to 10% to the total square footage calculation. This extra material accounts for necessary cuts, trimming around curved edges, and fitting the sod around obstacles like trees and walkways. This slight surplus ensures you have enough material to finish the project without needing a supplemental delivery.
Timing the delivery is critical because sod is a perishable product that begins to degrade immediately after harvest. It is advised to install sod within 24 hours of being cut. When rolls or pallets sit stacked for too long, the grass blades and roots generate heat through respiration. This heat builds up within the stack, causing the grass to “cook” and the roots to die, severely compromising the sod’s ability to establish itself.
Ensuring Quality Upon Pickup or Delivery
Inspect the sod immediately upon delivery or pickup to confirm its quality and freshness. The root system provides the clearest indication of health and viability and should be examined by gently lifting a corner of a roll or slab. Healthy, active roots appear dense and white, signaling they are ready to establish themselves in the new soil. If the roots are sparse, brown, or dry, the sod is likely stressed or has been harvested for too long.
The sod’s thickness should be uniform across the entire load, typically measuring between 1 and 1.5 inches thick. This uniform thickness ensures the final lawn surface is even and that the sod retains enough soil to support the grass until it roots into the prepared ground. The grass blades should exhibit a vibrant, consistent green color without patches of yellow or brown discoloration, which are signs of stress or disease.
A visual inspection should confirm the absence of foreign grasses, broadleaf weeds, or signs of pest and disease activity. The sod should be moist, but not saturated or muddy, as excessive water can promote fungal growth. Avoid any sod where the center of the pallet feels warm to the touch, as this indicates dangerous heat buildup from prolonged storage, which quickly leads to decomposition and death of the turf.