When you think of installing or laying sod in the winter weather, you must wonder if it’s going to grow? It won’t make it perhaps! But odds are in your favor and it’s definitely going to make it. Mostly when you are planning on laying sod in winter weather, you might have moved to a newly constructed house and the winter weather coincides with the move. Laying sod quickly on the landscaped bare dirt will prevent erosion of soil and stabilize it as well.
Sod Types Ideal for Winter:
Warm season varieties of turf such as Zoysia, Centipede and Bermuda grass are dormant in the winter season, but you can still lay them on the bare soil of your lawn. Despite being dormant, they still prevent erosion and muddy areas during the winter season. Another variety is Tall fescue and winter, or fall is considered the ideal season for laying this type of grass. If you choose the best sod variety wisely, it will just work for you. Most varieties of sods are harvested year around.
Measuring Lawn Area and Preparing Soil:
You can measure your lawn area and calculate the amount of sod you will need
Length x Width= amount of sod needed
Kill off any existing grass and weeds and then till up your lawn to a depth of 4 to 6 inches. Remove vegetation if any, level out the soil in your lawn area and use some recommended fertilizer or organic compost.
Laying the Sod:
The area where you are about to lay the sod must be dampened. You can start from straight edges of your lawn area and lay sods in a brick like pattern. If there happens to be a slope or some high areas of your landscape, lay the sod rolls perpendicular to the slope. This will help sod to take roots quickly and stay in its place as well as prevent soil erosion. Roll your sod using a sod roller that you can easily arrange form your local equipment rental. You can fill the roller with water and roll it forwards and backwards in a pattern like that of a grid. This will help prevent winter damage to the roots by preventing them from drying out. If the sod is rolled and watered properly until it takes roots, even freezing temperatures are not going to cause any damage to it.
Watering Your Sod Through Winters:
You will need to water sod as soon as you lay it. This applies to all kinds of sods that could be installed in winter season. Even if your sod is dormant for the winter weather, you must keep it moist until it takes roots and greens up again in the upcoming spring. Keep an eye on the weather and your newly installed sod as well. A cold dry wind can make the roots of your sod dry and desiccate your lawn.
If you are looking for sod installation in Atlanta, contact us at Atlanta Metro Sod today to get your free quote.
