First Time Sod Buying Experience? What you should know.

Sod Availability -Sod is available for purchase at all Grass Pad location. The three types of turf sod available are Blue Wave bluegrass, Heat Wave fescue, and zoysia in the season. Blue Wave and Heat Wave sod are available throughout most of the year. Sod harvesting and availability are influenced by weather conditions. When sod fields are too wet or frozen, sod cutters and equipment cannot get into the sod fields for harvesting.  Sod shipments are continually arriving at Grass Pad in order to rotate and keep the sod fresh. However, we can sell out of sod temporarily between shipments. We encourage you to call before you drive to the store and check the current availability. If we are temporarily out of stock, we can tell you when the next shipment will be arriving. Give us your contact information and we will call you when the sod delivery arrives at our location. Home or job site delivery is available, please contact your nearest location to learn more on curbside delivery policies.

Reserving Sod – Sod is a very perishable item.  Sod is available on a first come first served basis. Grass Pad will not hold or reserve sod for individuals or companies with the exception of sod awaiting delivery.

Buying Heat Wave and Blue Wave sod - Sod roll sizes will depend on the harvesting machine. Bring your measurements and we can calculate how many rolls you will need.  Sod is shipped in on pallets and is available for sale on the pallet or hand loaded into your vehicle. Sod is stacked 50 to 55 rolls per pallet, depending on the harvesting machine. The average weight for one pallet of sod is 1000 to 1200 pounds. An average sod roll weighs about 20 to 25 pounds each. The average car trunk will fit about 10 to 15 rolls.  Grass Pad will always load your vehicle for you. Uncle’s Tip – Make clean up easy if you bring a tarp to line your trunk.

Buying zoysia sod – Zoysia is a warm season grass and will only be harvested while actively growing in season. Availability for zoysia is a much shorter season. Typically zoysia sod is available Late May through Mid-September. Zoysia Sod is sold by the pallet or pad. Please call for availability.

Preparation

Leveling, tilling, fertilizing and soil moistures are important factors for your sod's success. Sod should be installed on smooth, even ground. The ground should be bare, firm, and free of rocks and dips. Soil amendments such as gypsum, for clay soils, should be applied prior to installation.

Sod Installation

Sod rolls should be unrolled green side up and placed tightly together with the seams staggered. The outermost edges of the sod should not be exposed, cover them with soil or place them at ground level. Sod staples may be necessary on steep slopes. The staples should be driven into the sod on the top edge of the sod after it has been rolled out.

Fertilizing Sod

Sod must be fertilized at installation. Apply LoveLand Golf Course Starter or Renovator same day as installation. Reapply 4 weeks later.

Crabgrass Control For Spring Sod Installation

(March - June) Apply LoveLand Golf Course Starter or Renovator at the time of installation. Two weeks later, apply LoveLand Prevent® crabgrass pre-emergent over the top of new sod. Prevent will suppress crabgrass, foxtail and other ugly grassy weeds in the seams and cracks between the rolls. If you are confused on which to use, just give us a call. Our green shirt team will help you build a plan to fit your needs.

Watering Fresh Sod

The most important step in any successful sod job. Fresh sod must be watered at once and kept spongy wet continually for the first two weeks. Homeowners should plan to water sod at least twice a day for one hour at a setting during the hottest part of the day.

How much water is enough? New sod should be spongy wet to the degree you could not walk on it with bare feet without it squishing between your toes. Too much water will never be an issue for sod in the first two weeks. On hot windy days, sod can dry out in an hour. When temperatures are above 80° after installation, sod must be kept continual wet for the first month.

Mowing Fresh Sod

After installation, the grass blades will be horizontal. With proper watering, in 10 to 14 days, your sod will begin to stand up. Mow sod as often as needed with a sharp blade and mower on the highest setting during a time the sod is moist, yet firm to walk on. Water sod immediately after mowing.