This means that you need to give your sod adequate time to form its root system. Avoid allowing the fescue grass to grow too long, because this will weaken the grass. The best time to lay sod, however, is in late summer and early fall when temperatures are cooler but grass continues to grow. Creeping red fescue (Festuca rubra ), hardy in USDA zones 3 through 7, is a spreading grass that forms densely rooted sod. • Next apply one-half inch of water every fifth day for ten days. After installing the turf, roll the entire area to improve sod/soil contact and to remove air pockets. In truth, more sod is actually lost to heat stress in the summer than to winter’s moderate freezes. Spring is the second best time to lay sod and is the preferable time for warm season grasses such as centipede, zoysia, bermuda, and St. Augustine that become dormant in the winter. Rake the area immediately before laying the sod to create a level surface without sudden depressions or lumps. The preparation should begin a few weeks before you’re ready to lay the new sod, as you’ll need to get the ground ready and have fresh rolls on hand the day of installation. Plan the project for a day when the weather forecast is clear, as rain can delay your efforts. The best time to plant Fescue in Georgia is in the fall, although it is generally successful if planted in the spring as well. Bermude: The beautiful thick grass seen on golf courses or baseball fields is usually Bermuda grass. Lay the Sod Start by dampening the soil with a sprinkler or hose, then rake out any footprints you’ve left behind. Mow the grass when it grows to no higher than 3 inches. Lay the sod strips with their edges placed as tightly together as possible. Fescue sods vary slightly depending on the variety used. If you end up with any cracks in between sod pieces, fill them in with soil. Follow these steps to do the job right the first time. Experts at the University of Rhode Island Landscape Horticulture Program recommend applying about an inch of water every two to three days. In total, it can cost around $400 to purchase the sod for a 1,000 square foot area. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. The best time to lay fescue sod is between mid-January and May or between mid-September to November. Don't cut more than 1/3 of the fescue grass's length at one time. Fertilizing the fescue sod in the summertime can stress the root system. Depending on your region, your sod or plug choices are Bermuda, centipede, fescue, St. Augustine or Zoysia. Cool-season grasses grow actively during fall, winter and spring in mild winter areas and in cool summer areas. Rake the area immediately before laying the sod to create a level surface without sudden depressions or lumps. This row, you want to stagger the seams “like you are laying brick.” Install the rest of your rows in this staggered manner. With sod, a sod farmer does the growing for you. Once the ground is frozen, your sod will not be able to … Instant results. The fescue sod will develop a strong root system when the days are slightly mild and the nights are cool. The roots of fescue sod will take about three to four weeks to take hold if watered well during that time. After you find the right grass, you can order it. Terry has written articles and publications for a wide range of markets and subject matters, including Medicine & Health, Eli Financial, Dartnell Publications and Eli Journals. Thoroughly work the soil with a tiller or garden fork, and mix compost or other organic material into nutrient-poor soils, heavy clay soils and rapidly draining sandy soils. Remove large debris, such as stones with diameters greater than 2 inches. The best time to install them is in early spring or early fall. Fescue is a cool-season grass that is popular in cooler regions that receive moderate to heavy rainfall. Check your soil. The salesman said that Fescue sod is only sod that will grow/root throughout the winter if laid down now. Apply a starter fertilizer before laying the fescue sod to speed root development. It does very well with cool weather, but can … Zodega TIS can provide you with a free quote and advice on sod varieties for your lawn. As you lay it, have someone hand watering it to cool it back down from being heated in a stack or in a roll. Keep reading below for guided instructions on laying sod in your yard. And sod that’s primarily bluegrass won’t grow as vigorously under your shade tree as fescue and other shade-loving grasses. Purchase fescue sod that appears freshly cut and healthy, never wilted or thinner than 1 inch. The roots of fescue sod will take about three to … Chinn also designs marketing materials, holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology and is working toward a PhD in cognitive neuroscience. Tall fescue is the most popular lawn grass in California because of its low maintenance requirements and higher tolerance for short mowing heights. Laying sod in the wrong season can create unnecessary extra work for you. Make sure the soil is moist (but not overly wet) before laying sod. Plant sod as soon as possible after you purchase it. Contact the Sod Installation Experts at Zodega TIS. Cool season turfgrass (Tall Fescue, Kentucky Bluegrass, Fine Fescues) can be installed year round in the entire United States. If you cannot lay it quickly, put it in the shade. Sod is a hefty investment, so it is critical to prepare the planting area and tend the turf with care. Water thoroughly one or two days before the sod is delivered so that the top several inches of soil are wetted. Fescue is a cool-season grass that is popular in cooler regions that receive moderate to heavy rainfall. Plan to unstack and unroll the sod if it cannot be laid within 48 hours. Remove weeds from the planting area either by hand or by cultivating the soil with a tiller. Water the new fescue sod once every two to three days during the first three weeks. Rolling with a hand roller helps the grass roots achieve contact with the soil beneath the sod. Immediately after laying the fescue sod, it should receive water to a depth of 4 inches. Tall fescue and red fescue are hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 5a through 7b, but they also grow well in warmer Mediterranean climates with temperate summers and winters. 4. Can I overseed with a variety/mix of grass? To keep the fescue grass at 2 inches tall. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Head to a landscape center and buy a grass seed mix that’s formulated for shade. Remember, it is best to lay this sod during cooler months instead of the middle of summer. You should also lay the sod as soon as possible when you get it. Apply the fertilizer before May. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for dosage. In Southern California, fescue (Festuca arundinacea), which is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 10, is popular. Feed your fescue grass a third time in the spring with the slow-release lawn fertilizer if the grass is stressed or doesn't appear healthy and lush. The best time to lay sod, however, is in early and mid-fall when temperatures are cooler but grass continues to grow. Lisa Chinn developed her research skills while working at a research university library. Sod can be installed throughout the year, even on frozen ground, but is best done, especially for the sake of watering after, between May 1st – Oct.. Wait to mow or walk on the new sod so that you don’t disturb the fescue grass while it’s developing its root system. This will help it stay in place and the weight of the sod will help prevent soil erosion before the grass takes root (for dormant sod, it will root in the spring). The fescue sod will develop a strong root system when the days are slightly mild and the nights are cool. Before that delivery happens, our sod vendor will call you directly to schedule a drop-off time. All Rights Reserved. Apply a starter fertilizer before laying the fescue sod to speed root development. If the soil is totally dry, it will benefit from light irrigation before you lay the sod. The best time to lay sod varies slightly, but with expert help, you can find the best season to install new sod on your lawn. Spring is the second best time to lay sod and is the preferable time for warm-season grasses such as centipede, zoysia, Bermuda, and St. Augustine that become dormant in … The best time to lay fescue sod is between mid-January and May or between mid-September to November. Sod installation is extra, and to lay the sod; you can expect to double this price. This waiting time is to allow the roots to grow and become strong in the ground. Sod on a pallet or in a roll begins to Heat Up real fast, ferment and turn to silage. You can lay sod anytime during the growing season, although spring and early autumn are best—cool temperatures combined with occasional rain help sod quickly root. If you intend to create a lawn created by fescue sod this is one of the best for the do-it-yourself type of project. Sod can transform a dirt lot or dead area of grass into a lush, green lawn. Give your sod at least 4-6 weeks to grow before the ground is expected to freeze. The right time to mow new sod is at least two weeks after installation. If the area does not have enough topsoil, you can also add topsoil until you establish a topsoil depth of at least 4 inches. Because sod can be installed quickly, and it gives you a near-instant lawn. The Texas A&M University System: How to Select and Install Sod, University of Rhode Island Landscape Horticulture Program: Installing a Sod Lawn, University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program: Installing Sod, University of Illinois Extension LawnTalk: Soil and Site Preparation for Lawns, University of Tennessee Extension: Turfgrass Establishment -- Preparing to Plant, National Gardening Association: Tall Fescue, National Gardening Association: Festuca Rubra "Penn Lawn", University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources: No-Mow Fineleaf Fescue Grasses for California Urban Landscapes, University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program: Tall Fescue -- Festuca Arundinacea. Then allow time for the soil to drain so that it’s not muddy and is workable. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, Landscape-America.com: Sod and Sod Installation. The best time to plant fescue grass and have it get well-established probably would be sometime around mid-September to mid-October. Install the sod within 24 hours of delivery. It's sold in ruglike rolls ready to be unfurled, and it comes with a unique set of pros and cons: Advantages of sod. Fescue is a cooler weather grass and will fare better if it is laid in the spring between April and May … It is more expensive than growing a conventional lawn. To prevent depressions caused by kneeling on the soil, kneel on a piece of plywood as you lay the sod. The best time to plant Fescue in Georgia is in the fall, although it is generally successful if planted in the spring as well. Mow the fescue sod once or twice each week during the growing season to keep the grass at about 1 or 2 inches tall. Don’t cut more than 1/3 of the fescue grass’s length at one time. When temperatures start to exceed 90 degrees, grass dehydrates and could potentially be severely damaged … We frequently are asked if sod can be installed in winter. Avoid allowing the fescue grass to grow too long, because this will weaken the grass. Water the fescue sod to supplement rainfall so that it receives about 1 to 2 inches of water every week after the sod roots into the ground. To keep the fescue grass at 2 inches tall. When you lay new sod, it’s critical that the roots make direct contact with the soil so that a root system can form. 4. Lay sod as soon as possible after it has been harvested to prevent injury. Red fescue has a finer texture than tall fescue, and it requires mowing less frequently. This is key to not having weeds growing up between your sod strips while the lawn is establishing. They are more accustomed to cool weather and can tolerate being planted in the middle of winter. It also prevents erosion immediately and requires less careful initial irrigation than seed. The soil in the planting area should be moist, not soggy or dry. Thanks, many. People believe that when it’s hot outside, it’s safe to lay sod. On slopes, place sod across (perpendicular) to the slope, not horizontally with the slope. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Lay it Perpendicular to Slopes: If laying sod in the winter on a slope, lay the sod rolls perpendicular to the slope itself. Fescue sod is relatively easy to install after a little soil preparation. 3. Complete answer to this is here.Besides, how late can you lay sod in Alberta? Fescue sod is ideal for sunny or lightly shaded lawns that endure heavy foot traffic or need erosion control. Choosing fescue sod for your lawn at home might be the perfect choice for you. She writes for numerous publications, specializing in gardening, home care, wellness, copywriting, style and travel. Sarah Terry brings over 10 years of experience writing novels, business-to-business newsletters and a plethora of how-to articles. How Much Does it Cost to Lay Sod? Fescue sod does best laid in early spring or mid-fall, when these cool-season grasses are actively growing. If you must store it, keep it in a shady location to prevent it from drying out. Sod can be installed at almost any time of the year. Starting from sod might help in that regard, but it … The fescue sod will develop a strong root system when the days are slightly mild and the nights are cool. Also, he said that I will need to overseed the Fescue grass area next spring. If you want your sod to look even and healthy, take the time to prepare the soil before you lay the sod down. If you are looking at sodding your yard with fescue, your best action to take would be in the early spring, late fall. Baseball fields is usually Bermuda grass mow the fescue sod to speed root development than 1.... 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