What Is Sod?

Basically, sod is grass with a layer of soil beneath. It is held together with the root system, or sometimes by a sheet of biodegradable material. It is used on lawns for private homes, businesses and public facilities. It is grown and harvested a few months later, to be sold in squares or rolled lengths.

Sod vs. Seeded Lawns

Growing a lawn from seed can be costly and time-consuming. You must be willing to install the proper soil bed, manage the irrigation and contend with natural forces, such as the wind blowing your grass seed away or birds feasting on it. A huge volume of seed is required to grow a thick carpet of grass. It can be a frustrating experience to put in all that effort and literally end up with patchy results!

Advantages of Sod

The most noticeable advantage of installing sod is an instant, lush, gorgeous lawn! There is no waiting for weeks for delicate seedlings to establish, or dealing with mud zones during inclement weather.

• Sod lawns are professionally grown, using the best quality soil, sufficient water and fertilizer, giving them stronger, durable roots.
• They require less weed control and less fertilizer once installed.
• The grass is dense, avoiding the need to reseed due to bare patches.
• The density prevents the germination of weeds.

An added benefit of sod or turf grass is the immediate reduction of soil erosion. Grass binds to soil more effectively than any other plant and absorbs 6 times more moisture than the strongest wheat fields.

What Grass Grows Best In Ennis, TX?

In our part of Texas, there are two varieties of grass that grow well, and we provide both types of sod in our nursery.

Bermuda Grass - Although this grass enjoys the rain, it can survive quite well in drier regions. It is highly durable, able to withstand high foot traffic and wear. It can also tolerate low levels of insects without pesticides. Being native to Africa, Bermuda Grass manages plenty of direct sunlight.

Augustine Grass - This is a popular blue-green grass in Texas since it likes well-drained soil and can survive the extreme summer heat. It prefers shady to partly sunny areas, making it ideal for treed parts of your yard. The root system grows tightly enough to tolerate normal foot traffic while discouraging insects and weeds.

When you visit our nursery, let us know how much sunlight your property gets, and we will be happy to recommend the best type of sod for your landscape.

What To Consider Before Installing Sod

There are a few things to note when getting ready to lay sod - the current condition of the ground and the ongoing care. Although it requires less upkeep than seeded lawns, properly preparing the site for sod gives you a head start. The ground in Ennis, Texas can be compact and hard, so you will want to break up and amend the soil first.

• Clear the site of rocks and debris larger than 2 inches in diameter.
• To prevent potential drainage issues, you can rough grade the area, sloping gently away from your home's foundation and filling in low-lying areas.
• Break up the dirt with a rototiller, to at least 2 inches in depth.
• Amend the soil by adding topsoil, improving its permeability and water retention.
• At this point, you can add a "starter" fertilizer, also available at our nursery.
• Finally, lightly tamp or roll the ground to create an even surface.

It is also important to know how much sod you will need. Our landscape experts at the nursery can help you do the correct calculations. Once you are ready for the installation, we'll deliver it to your door!

Caring For Your New Lawn

Installing the sod on the day of delivery is very important for successful establishment. It is living grass that needs water, nutrients, and air to survive.

Watering Requirements

Water your new sod within a half hour of installation. Apply enough to wet the soil 3 to 4 inches below the surface. Be sure to reach every part of the new sod, giving attention to areas beyond the reach of your sprinkler system. Be aware of sections close to buildings, since the reflected light can dry out the sod faster.

If you notice water runoff occurring, shut off the water and wait for up to an hour, allowing it to soak in. Repeat this process until you are certain the soil is adequately damp.

For the next 2 weeks, water up to 3 times daily to maintain dampness in the soil. If the weather is hot, keep this up for a few weeks. This encourages the turf to knit its roots into the new soil. Reduce the amount of foot traffic on the sod while its root system is developing.

Continue to water the lawn weekly, or more often when there is particularly high wind or heat. It is preferable to water deeply each time - the roots will only grow as far into the soil as is the water supply. The more deeply the grass is rooted, the better it can tolerate periods of drought.

Sprinkler and Irrigation Systems

It is important to note that you cannot lay new sod on top of old sod or dead grass. This must be removed first, which brings up the question of sprinkler and irrigation systems. Your current system may require upgrades or replacement, and this must be done prior to the sod installation. This is a great question to ask our experts at the nursery since they can provide you with the best advice on state-of-the-art systems.

Not only can our professional team of landscapers install the best irrigation for your new lawn, but we can lay the sod as well. We invite you to call or drop by the nursery with your questions. You will find our staff is friendly and eager to provide you with solutions for a vibrant, green lawn that you will love!