Depending on where you live and how much sun and precipitation you have will determine the best time of year to lay sod. For those of us in Colorado, the best time to lay sod is during the fall, followed by the spring. Let’s take a look at each season in order to explain why.
Benefits of Laying Sod in the Fall
Fall in Colorado is the best time to lay sod. Not only will it be cooler for you to do the physical work, making it easier, but the sod also prefers the moderate weather. When the sod is laid in the fall, it can be properly watered and tended to prior to the first rains and snows.
In the fall, your sod will take root and help protect from erosion which is common during winter months. Once the spring arrives, your grass, which took root in the fall, will grow quickly, pulling nutrients from the ground and the sun. Once the summer returns, your healthy lawn will be more likely to survive the hot summer days with proper watering.
Laying Sod in the Spring
The springtime in Colorado can range from snow showers to rain, mild sun to scorchers. In the spring, everything begins to sprout but sometimes late snow or freeze can hurt tender new growth.
Spring is the second most preferred season to lay sod. Like fall, the more moderate temperatures allow you to properly prepare the ground for rooting to take place. You may also be able to minimize the need to water the lawn if it is getting enough precipitation from rain.
When to Lay Sod in the Summer
The dry, scorching heat of summer is not good for sod. The blades of grass absorb sunlight for nutrition. If watering is limited or evaporating too quickly, the sod can dry out, especially in areas of full sun. And if the sod doesn’t root deeply, it will miss valuable soil nutrients needed for growth. Burn spots and yellowing can happen, and fresh sod can quickly die if not installed immediately.
Sod in the Winter
Sod becomes dormant in the winter, which means it doesn’t take root. This is important for laying sod as the first weeks are critical in establishing a root system. Four to six weeks before the ground freezes is the least amount of time sod needs to be placed if you want to protect your investment and have a beautiful, lush lawn in the spring months and forward.
By installing your sod in the coolness of fall, the spring thaw will bring you a lush, green lawn. Have questions for our sod experts? No project is too big or too small – we are happy to provide a quote. Quality and experience matters, so choose Emerald Sod Farm and call today!