Tips For Planting New Sod
While we are fortunate to have beautiful weather for most of the year, unlike other parts of the country, we do experience intense weather such as droughts, heavy rain, and hurricanes that can wreak havoc on your lawn and property. Many homeowners also frequently notice issues with mold, fungus, and bugs due to the humidity we experience, especially during this time of year. All of these issues can lead to problems with your grass. If you are looking for an option to repair and replace your lawn at one time, sod is a great choice. If you are unfamiliar, sod is a combination of the upper soil layer and grass roots that is harvested into rolls. Unlike planting grass seed, sod is already established grass that can be laid down on your property.
The Best Time to Plant Sod
Florida grasses often remain dormant during the winter season, so the optimal time to plant is during the fall and spring season. Conditions are favorable to the roots during the fall and spring season due to the cooler temperatures. Unfortunately, sod is not an inexpensive investment, so you want to take every precaution to ensure it takes and grows in your lawn. If you are installing your own sod, we recommend installing it during the early morning hours to avoid the frequent storms that can happen during this time of year.
The Process
If you are planning to install the sod yourself it is extremely important to be sure you have correct measurements for your property. To prepare your lawn, you first need to remove any old grass, rocks, weeds, and other debris. It is wise to use a garden tiller to be sure the soil is soft and loose. Run your irrigation system before laying down the sod, as the soil needs to be damp. The sod can be laid down end to end. It is important to stagger the different size pieces to avoid the appearance of having a grid pattern.
Water Properly
The most important part of the process is to be sure your new sod is watered correctly. Your lawn will need to be watered daily. An irrigation system would be a big help with this process to ensure the sod is being watered on schedule.
We are happy to help with any irrigation questions you may have. At Challenger Irrigation, we proudly serve Hernando, Pasco, Pinellas, and Citrus counties.
