When is the Best Time to Lay Sod?

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.

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.

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.

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.