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When is the Best Time to Lay Sod?

May 13, 2021

When homeowners want to make their lawns healthier or more vibrant, one way they often choose to do so is to lay sod. Sod, also known as turf, is grass, commonly harvested into rolls, including a thin layer of soil. The rolls are held together by the root system or, in some instances, a thin layer of biodegradable material. You have probably seen sod rolls used on people’s lawns or other places such as golf courses or sports stadiums. If you want to have a healthy lawn quickly, sodding is a good solution. But when is the best time to lay sod? Spring is the preferable time for warm season grasses such as centipede, zoysia, bermuda, and St. Augustine, which become dormant in the winter. Below we discuss laying sod in different seasons.

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The Best Time to Lay Sod is During Fall

Early to mid-fall is generally the optimal time to lay sod on your property. One reason is that landscape professionals need to ensure that the planting area is watered and has enough moisture to support the newly planted sod. Fall tends to have more precipitation compared to spring or summer, which means you can ease up on the watering schedule. The cool temperatures of fall also make the conditions friendlier to laying sod. Even laying sod during the middle of fall allows plenty of the new grass to establish roots before winter dormancy.

Laying Sod in Other Seasons

Spring is the second-best time to lay sod, especially for grasses that thrive during warm seasons. Sodding during spring can be tricky, though, as you need to be sure that cold weather is genuinely gone to prevent freezing. The sod also needs enough moisture to maintain root health during spring, especially as the weather gets hot.

House with sloped yard and maintained lawn | lay sod | Burkholder Brothers
Person laying sod | lay sod | Burkholder Brothers

Sod can also be laid during the winter, although some people believe otherwise. While laying sod in the winter is possible, the sod can appear brown, leading some homeowners to think that the sod is dead. The new lawn can look dormant during winter, but the grass will regain color in the spring when temperatures warm up. Laying new grass in winter is a more viable option in the south, where temperatures are warmer than in northern regions. For Pennsylvania, early to mid-fall or spring is still recommended.

Summer is generally the most challenging time to lay sod. Summer brings sweltering (and dry, depending on where you live) weather. As a result, your lawn needs to be watered more frequently than if you opted to lay the new turf in the spring or fall, which may lead to overwatering, causing additional problems. The dry weather and risk of overwatering make it best to avoid laying new grass during summer, if possible.

Contact Burkholder Brothers for Sodding & Turf Care Services

If you want to lay sod and enhance your landscape with a healthy, lush lawn, contact Burkholder Brothers. We have years of experience designing and maintaining refined landscapes in the Main Line area. In addition to turf care and sodding, we offer other services such as plant health care, irrigation, landscape design, and more. Our passionate team of landscape professionals can make your dream landscape a reality. For more information on sodding or our services, request a free consultation today.