Sod: What You Need to Know

One of the services we offer to many of our commercial and municipal clients is sod installation. Sod can be utilized for a variety of purposes, from covering up poor patches, to adding turf to an area that lacks any naturally. While sod installation can be done all year round, there are better times, such as spring, or the best time: fall. We wanted to get this information out now, so you could have time to consider, and prepare, come autumn. Although sod may seem scary, expensive, and artificial, it is only the latter. It can be a great foundational turf for any lawn, and can incentivize healthy growth. Sod does have a rather involved installation process that requires attentiveness throughout all stages. It also needs to be cared for in a certain way after installation, to ensure proper growth. Everyone can benefit from some insight into the sod installation process.

Timing of Sod Installation

As aforementioned, sod installation can be done anytime, however, the best time is going to be in the fall, during the cooler weather. This allows your sod to retain more moisture post-installation, and create healthy, foundational roots.

The Benefits of Sod

If you are a large commercial property, that maybe has not tended well to your lawn, you may not have the patience to plant grass seed, and wait. To remain competitive, you may not even have the luxury of doing so. Sod jumps through this hoop, being laid down, and ready to go especially quick. Compare 18 months with natural grass seed, to just 2 weeks with the installation of sod. Although it may seem too good to be true, sod gives you all the benefits of natural turf, with no real major negatives. Beyond installation, it also does not require much maintenance. 

Preparing your Soil

Should you decide a sod installation is right for you, the first thing you are going to want to do is get a soil test. You should be able to do this through your local extension office, or contact your landscape company, like Pezza, and they can help. Now, when we prepare your soil for sod installation, we will be loosening the uppermost layer, and spreading compost, to ensure that strong roots are able to grow. 

Post-Installation: Maintenance

While our team at Pezza will take care of active maintenance, you will want to keep foot traffic off your new sod for the first two weeks after it is installed. It will also need to be watered daily, until it transitions to a normal lawn watering schedule. Your new turf will also need to be fertilized, as that boost of nutrients will assist in the initial growth. You will want to allow it to grow out before having it mowed, but with Pezza, you will not have to worry, we know the process.

Leave it to the Professionals

Although we do not worry about this too much with commercial and municipal properties, do not try to install on your own. It is an intricate process, and when done properly, by professionals, can give your lawn a great new look. Leave the liability, and let us do what we do best. 

Pezza Landscape, Inc. is a full-service landscaping company proudly serving the greater Naperville area, including Warrenville, Wheaton, Winfield, Batavia, Geneva, St. Charles, and the surrounding communities. Give us a call at (630) 393-7373 or visit our website to get in touch.