Buying Sod In Texas

Wow, the weather is getting hot out there. Do you need some new grass? It's about that time to plant here in North Texas according to lawn specialists. If you have never purchased sod for your lawn or land, then let's take a few minutes to review this list and talk about some critical factors you really need to know prior to arrival of your new sod. If you’re buying very much sod for your whole yard, or adjacent lots, then we encourage you to have it delivered. It is very heavy. A heavy duty truck will be required if you do it yourself depending on what you need.

Spring and summer fun is here. The time is now to plan ahead for making your home the best it can be. With events every weekend, BBQ's, parties, and boating activities; your lawn needs to be in the best condition is can be. Whether you are cooking out on the grill, having a pool party, or planting flowers and reworking your gardens means your yard is highly visible. Sod, grass, and trees are a vital part of the landscape mix here at Lake Kiowa and we encourage you to do the research before arrival on planting sod instructions below. We all love Lake Kiowa!

Here are some helpful recommendations for you to consider and make plans for:

• Do have your sod delivered (unless you own a heavy-duty truck). One pallet weighs 2,000-3,000 pounds. Not to mention unless you have a pallet jack to get it on and off the truck you will need to do it my hand. Not fun.
• General rule of thumb is your sod needs to be planted by the end of May, prior to really hot sun and temperatures. It makes for easier work, and it won’t dry out so quickly as you get it established.
• Best practices says be sure you apply a glyphosate-only herbicide that has no other active ingredient. This will eliminate existing grasses and weeds without leaving any herbicidal residue in the soil.
• Rototill to prepare the soil carefully. If you don't own one, go to the nearest local retail gardent centers for your area. Be sure to rake to a smooth grade afterwards.
• Be sure to do the research on types of sod you have available in North Texas. Here in Texas, St. Augustine for part shade or full sun; bermudagrass for full sun. Zoysias fall in-between and are becoming increasingly popular across much of Texas. Remember, there really isn't a grass for full shade.
• Be sure that you source your best sod yard you can. Most of you gardners out there are familiar with your independent retail garden centers in your area. A be sure you visit your vendor before you have your new sod delivered to invest in quality product.
• Fresh sod is bright green, and the soil portion will be moist. If it is brown you may want to rethink your source.
• Try to buy Texas grown sod, processed in late afternoon and shipped to you overnight for early morning planting.
• Sod laid onto tilled soil is a group effort. A team of four or five workers is required. It helps if you walk on pieces of plywood so you won’t leave footprints.
• Each piece of sod should be as close as possible to each other. Voids which do happen can be filled to avoid gaps by cutting up the pieces to fit.
• Be sure that you water each area of the yard as soon as you have the sod planted. Inventory carefully and be sure to fill any conspicuous cracks between pieces, although narrow spaces will still fill in very quickly.
• Visually, if the lawn looks lumpy after you have planted the sod, consider rolling it one time with a half-filled lawn roller.
• Watering is necessary for the first two weeks. Do water each day (unless it rains) for about 5 minutes per area; you will be able to gradually wean the grass to longer intervals between waterings.
• When your new sod takes hold and the grass begins to grow, be sure to mow at the recommended height as soon as the grass grows slightly beyond it. Keep the grass at that height. Low mowing encourages dense, spreading growth.
• You can fertilize the new grass after the second mowing. It's best to use an all-nitrogen food with half or more of that nitrogen in slow-release form. Remember that the first feeding should be at half the recommended rate. Then, approximately one month later, fertilize at the recommended rate.

If you have any questions be sure to research all the information you can about your sod, and be sure you write the down and discuss questions with your sod provider. It would help to contact more than one grower, and if possible visit the sod farm if you are buying direct and not using a local nursery or garden facility.

Be sure to read these Don'ts for the record that will save time, money eliminate having to purchase additional sod that could die.

• Never start new sod without first rototilling the ground and raking it smooth ahead of time. If you only spread an inch of sand on top of the old grass and weeds, then lay out their sod; you are doomed to failure or severely impaired results. In this scenario "You only get one chance to do the job right."
• Never accept sod with nutsege (nutgrass). Do the research and get a picture to take when you go visit to buy. If you can see nutsedge in the thin layer of soil, turn it down. The sod-cutting machines will slice the pea-sized “nutlets” cleanly in half. If nutsedge is present, you’ll be able to see those little pieces.
• Never use weedkillers, including pre-emergent herbicides until the new grass has been through its first winter for best growing results.
• Don't bother planting sod in a shaded area. Even St. Augustine will fail to grow when an area receives fewer than 5 or 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. If you have an area like this, it’s time to consider a groundcover. There are several shade tolerant groundcovers, and you can do research about that online very easily.

Sod is expensive and you don't want to have to purchase again right? Take to heart the recommendations provided in this article. You will find that strict adhearance to these basic best accepted practices, your sod will perform in the manner you hope. Happy Lawns look beautiful and green, and will certainly be a gift to you and your neighbors and family each time you use your patio or yard for all your activities.

Lake Kiowa Premiere Real Estate is open 7 days a week – Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The agents of Lake Kiowa Premiere Real Estate are always available to help you with any questions or concerns. 940-665-3300