Is Installing Sod before Summer a Good Idea? A Closer Look
Has your yard been looking a bit sparse recently? Are you thinking about enhancing your landscape design by laying sod?
If so, you may wonder, is installing sod before summer a good idea?
This is a good question. After all, if you invest in sod, you want to ensure it will grow and be healthy. While you can hire the best landscaper in your area for help with this, you can also learn more about when to install sod here.
When Is the Best Time of Year to Install Sod?
When it comes to installing sod, there are a few things to consider. It’s possible to install sod at any time during the growing season. However, you need to make sure the ground isn’t frozen and that there is plenty of water to establish the grass and maintain it.
While you can lay sod and add it to your landscaping design any time during the growing period, most experts recommend doing it during spring or early autumn.
The cooler temperatures and occasional rain that occur during these times will help sod root quickly.
If you plan to install sod during the summer, it’s important to take certain precautions, like watering deeply often, adjusting your fertilizing times, and watching out for signs of fungal growth.
How Do You Get Ready for Sod Installation?
Now that you know when to install sod to achieve the best landscape aesthetic, it’s important to determine the amount of sod required for your lawn.
You can follow a few steps to determine the amount of sod required. These include:
- Sketch the parts of your yard that need sod
- Divide the area into circles, triangles, rectangles, and squares
- Measure the area to determine the square footage
- Add the measurements and add five to 10% extra
The five to 10% extra will be used to cut and shape around different landscape elements you have in place.
Another option is to use the technology that is now available. You can find a GPS app that will help calculate the amount of sod you need.
To ensure you don’t make a mistake, be sure to measure the area twice and order the sod you need once.
How Much Sod Do You Need?
After figuring out the amount of sod you need, you have to prepare to install it. Site preparation is required to ensure the sod will root successfully.
Preparation should include clearing the area of any building materials, stones, rocks, and stumps. You should rough grade the area to fix drainage issues. Make sure to slope it away from the building foundation.
Till the soil and add quality topsoil. Be sure to add a starter fertilizer to the site to give your new grass the nutrients needed.
Is Installing Sod Before Summer a Good Idea?
As you can see from the information above, installing sod before summer is a smart move to ensure it has a chance to grow and be healthy.
If you need help with this or have questions, reach out to our team. We can handle the process for you or give you the tools needed to ensure your sod installation is successful.
