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Seed or Sod?

admin — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 02:26:42 +0000

If you want a great looking lawn and you will be starting from scratch, many people often want to know which one is better, seed or sod. This is a question that depends on a wide range of factors. These will usually determine what option is best for you.

What Factors Determine Seed or Sod?

The Terrain – The terrain that you plan on having your lawn will often determine if you use seed or sod. It is best to know if it is shaded, the type of soil, if it is hilly and prone to erosion. All of this is important before you take the first step in creating your lawn.

Price – Price is an extremely important factor when it comes to the decision to sod or not to sod. Generally seeding is much cheaper than sod; however the labor is already worked out in sod as opposed to seed.

Time – time is also an important aspect of the decision to seed or sod. People who have the time should consider seeding, as it is very time intensive. People who are on a tight schedule should take the time to consider sod. This method is much quicker and the results are lighting fast.

Why Seed?

People often opt to seed their area as laying sod may be more difficult. It is also dependent on the individual’s budget and the timeframe in which they have to work with.

If an individual is going to be seeding or sodding, the preparation for the area is going to be the same. The only difference is the cost related to the use of seed compared to sod. In seeding there are many different types of mixes that can be used, to get the desired grass that you want. There is less labor involved with seeding, compared to sod.

It is recommended that if an individual is going to seed, that you purchase only quality certified seed.

Advantages of Seed

Cheaper than sod
Less labor needed
Bigger selection
Easy to apply
Completing the job takes less time
Depending on the terrain, might be easier.

Disadvantages of Seed

Takes a longer time than sod
Possibility of erosion
Areas may need to be reseeded
The area may be unusable for some time
Time needs to be take to control weeds
Constant watering.

Why Sod?

People will often choose to use sod when it is more feasible than seeding an area. This may be in regards to needing a new lawn laid down as soon as possible. New sod can be used 2-3 weeks after installation compared to the much longer time needed with sodding. With seeding there is the possibility of problems such as seeds failing to germinate.

With the use of sod, people will not have to worry about weeds, something that is very common with seeding. The quality will not be a problem as they can see what they are buying compared to seeds.

Sodding is a very expensive venture and this is where seeding wins out.

Advantages of Sod

1. Immediate laid lawn

2. Can be established at anytime

3. People can view the finished product right away

4. Can be used in 2-3 weeks

5. No weeds to contend with

Disadvantages of Sod

1. Costly

2. Possibility of not rooting

Watering Sod in the Winter

admin — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 18:59:01 +0000

Sod is an easy and effective way for people to get a nice new lawn for their household. The use of sod is very common and many landscapers and home owners use it to enhance or install a brand new lawn. Most sod is grown at one location, cut and sold to people who need it. There are many different sod farms that grow and sell this product.

Watering Sod in the Winter

When new sod is installed, the first thing that is suggested to owners is that they water the sod. This is to encourage the roots to grow and take hold. This watering needs to be done on a constant basis to ensure the roots grow. Watering the sod may become a problem in the winter time, when the temperature and composition of the ground may make things harder.

During the winter the soil can be frozen and the water can turn to ice. This is definitely not good for new sod. In situations like this, it can make the preparation of the area impossible.

The problem will occur when the new sod is laid down. All sod needs to be watered constantly to ensure that it grows properly. In the winter time, that water will cause problems with the new sod. The new roots have not taken the time to grow and as a result, they have the good possibility of freezing. This is due to the fact that the roots of the sod is directly at the surface of the soil.

There are some species of grass that is used in sod that make it easier to have a successful winter sod installation. Hybrid Bermuda grass that is mixed with ryegrass seed is perfect to be used in winter installations. Sod such as centipede grass and zoysia are the worst for the winter. It should also be noted that when sod is installed during the winter, it will have more weeds, compared to the warmer climates.

Sod Weed Control

admin — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 16:09:11 +0000

Laying a new lawn is always good, this can be done effectively through the use of sod. However one thing that people have to contend with if they go this way is sod weeds. Controlling sod weeds can be difficult, but it can also be done under control if done properly. The first thing that should be done is ensure that the site where the sod is going to be laid is prepared properly. Once the sod is laid, make sure it is watered and fertilized properly. These are two important steps to make sure you do not get sod weeds.

In places that have shade, it might be a problem to keep the density of the sod up. When this occurs, there is the possibility for weeds to appear. Depending on the amount of weeds, people have the option of pulling the weeds out themselves, or using chemicals to destroy these products.

If you are using a chemical, it is very important to know about the different ones which will be purchased. Herbicides are chemicals that are known to be used to kill weeds. Herbicides often fall into two categories, which are preemergent or postemergent. Preemergent herbicides that have the ability to kill weeds as they germinate. Postemergent herbicides have the ability to kill weeds after they have germinated.

When it comes to sound weeds, it is very important to act quickly. If the weeds germinate and grow out of control, it will become much more difficult to get rid of them. Even though postemergent herbicides can be used, it is more effective to control sod weeds using preemergent herbicides.

Sod Weed Control

The area where the newly laid sod will go, should be watered as a way to germinate the existing weeds
Once the weeds germinate, then they should be destroyed using a herbicide.
The dead lawn and weeds should be removed.
This should be repeated as a way to ensure that the weeds are all gone.

Sod For Shade

admin — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 04:21:46 +0000

People who have read installed fresh new sod will often experience difficulty in trying to grow it in the shade. The reason behind this is that for a sod to grow effectively, it needs to have a certain amount of sunshine for the day. This can be direct for a few hours or filtered for the whole day. If this does not happen, what people will realize will occur is that the installed will have patches of growth and small areas where no grass will grow at all.

Most Effective Ways to Grow Sod in the Shade

If you have a highly shaded area, then it is a good idea to trim the tree. An arborist can be called into to professionally cut the tree. This will allow the maximum amount of sunlight to reach the sod.
Seed the area as opposed to sodding it. This may work out better as there are different types of sod that do not work well in the shade.
Sod needs around 4-6 hours of sunshine to grow properly. Make sure the area where the sod will be installed can accommodate this.
When cutting the lawn, make sure that the height of the blade of the lawn mower is not too low, as you don’t want the grass to be cut too short.
Use grasses like tall fescue. Tall fescue is a grass that is designed for cooler regions and as a result it can handle shade much better unlike warmer season grasses such as zoysia, bermuda and bahia.
St Augustine is also a good grass to be used in shaded areas. Many people do not like the feel and look of this particular grass. However if you are looking for a grass that will work well in the shade, this is one to use.
If nothing will grow in the shaded areas, maybe you should consider some other type of ground cover such as rocks, plants, bark and others.

Watering Sod

admin — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:13:18 +0000

When you install new sod, the first and most important thing that should be done is it should be watered. This should be done at all times, except if the sod was laid in the winter. The reason for this is that sod installations that were conducted in the winter will not have to worry about damage from heat. There is also enough moisture available to provide the sod with the water that it needs. Sod installed during the winter will often require less watering as there is less heat to take away the vital moisture that the newly installed turf will need.

The Rules for Watering Sod

The amount of water that the sod needs will often depend on the time of year it was installed. Installations done in the winter will require very little water as opposed to the summer months. Watering times in the fall and spring will often depend on the temperature and rainfall.
Newly installed sod should be watered for around 2 months.
People who install new sod should aim to give their new lawn around 1 inch of water daily. This is the right amount to ensure that the sod grows properly.
Skip watering the sod if rains in the day or the night before. The decision to not water based on rain all depends on how much falls.
If watering sod in the summer days, it is best to give the turf water everyday
If watering sod in the winter days, it is best to give turf water every other day or every 2 days.
Do Not Over Water Sod! When watering sod, make sure it is the right amount. Giving too much water can cause the sod not to root.
Do not water sod at night. When watered at night, the sod is exposed to the possibility of fungus. Fungi love moist regions and at night the water just sits on the grass. This is the perfect breeding ground for fungus.

Why Is Sod Not Rooting?

admin — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 20:17:16 +0000

Everyone likes the look of a brand new lawn. This can often be accomplished by laying down fresh new sod. Once installed, after a couple weeks you should have a proper functioning lawn.

Despite the ease in being able to install and use sod, some people have some levels of difficulty. They often have issues and questions related to the reasons why their sod is not rooting. They will install the new sod and after a couple of weeks when they check to see if the sod has laid down roots as yet, they notice that the sod is still loose and has not rooted itself into the dirt.

Why Does Sod Not Root?

When a situation of sod not rooting occurs, the simplest answer could be how the sod is watered. Generally sod rooting should occur 10 days after the sod has been laid. How you water the sod plays a big role in how it roots. If the sod has too much water, the roots will not have to dig down too far to get the water as it is right there. To ensure that the roots are able to go in search of water, then less water needs to be available to them.

To ensure that the watering is enough, the turf should be allowed to soak 2 times a day for up to a week. Once this happens, then it should be reduced to once a day. Finally it should then be cut back to 2 times a week and finally once a week.

It should be noted that rooting of sod will be very slow if it is located in the shade. Most sod need 4-5 hours of full sunshine or a whole day of filtered light if they want it to root. For that reason it is not advised to plant the sod in shaded regions.

Sod Web Worm

admin — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 16:28:01 +0000

Everyone takes pride in their new lawns, however sometimes it can be destroyed by disease, weather and pests. One such pest that can create damage to the lawn are sod webworms.

Sod webworms also go by the name lawn moths. These are small brown caterpillars that eventually turn into gray moths. Sod web worms often grow to a size of length 3/4 “. The colors may vary from light to dark brown. These worms are usually covered by very fine hairs. When they develop into moths, the moths often take shelter in plants or other sheltered places in the day.

Sod worms are known to infest various turf grasses and are a source of annoyance to people who are trying to keep an immaculate lawn. These pests sleep during the day and often feed on the grass during the night. Grass blades that are damaged by these insects often are raggedy and the sides irregular. If you notice brown patches in the lawn, then there is a good chance that it might be sod web worms. If there is a large infestation of the insect, the lawn can be destroyed very quickly. These insects can be found predominantly in bent grass, blue grass buffalo grass, and zoysia grass. During the winter time, Sod Web Worms are not considered to be a major problem. It is during the summer where they are able to replicate and destroy the grass.

The methods to get rid of the Sod Web Worms are to either call an exterminator or do it yourself. Exterminators will be able to solve the problem and destroy these insects, however they are a bit expensive and you can do it yourself.

When it comes to getting rid of these worms yourself, the best thing to do is go to the local hardware or garden store. Here you will find pesticides and chemicals that can be placed on the affected areas of the grass. When applying the pesticide or chemical it is best to do it during early dusk. This is the time that the worms begin to feed and it will be more effective.

Watering Sod At Night

admin — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 04:21:49 +0000

When new sod is laid, one of the most important things that is needed is proper watering. Watering of the sod should be done a couple times per day the first week. Many people have questions regarding watering their sod, but one of the most common is if it is ok to water sod ad night? The answer to that question is a solid NO!!!. When you have new sod or a lawn you should never water it at night. The reason for this is that watering at night will more than likely lead to disease. Water that is left to sit overnight on sod can potentially lead to fungus problems. For fungus to develop there needs to be water on the grass leaf which will allow it to move upwards and enter the leaf. When sod is watered at night, the grass leaves will not be allowed to dry until in the morning. During this time the fungus will thrive. It is also much cooler at night and this is another perfect condition for fungus to grow.

Generally most diseases are related to moisture and heat. That is why certain times of the year are perfect for disease to thrive. Humid months make it haven for fungus. Moisture is also another thing that fungus loves. The longer the moisture stays on the sod, the greater the chance of disease. It is for that reason that sod should not be watered at night, as it will keep the moisture till the morning.