Having a healthy, green lawn can make all the difference in your home’s curb appeal. While achieving this look does require a certain level of lawn maintenance, adding sod can provide you with a perfect starting point. Thankfully, fall happens to be one of the best times for certain types of sodding. Here’s what you should know. 

What Is Sod & When Should You Lay It? 

Sodding is a type of lawn maintenance that involves laying turf grass, also known as sod, onto prepared topsoil. It is sold in sections of already planted soil and grass that is held together by roots and other materials. 

Many homeowners prefer sod over grass seed because it can be laid at any point during the growing season. However, the cooler spring and fall seasons are often better than summer for laying cool grasses—like Kentucky bluegrass, fine fescue, and perennial ryegrass—because the roots naturally start to grow during this time of the year. 

If you decide to lay sod in the fall, plan ahead. Start the process at least six weeks before the first expected hard freeze; once this occurs, the roots will stop growing. Sod often needs at least two weeks to develop shallow root growth and four to six weeks to develop a fully formed, strong root system.

What Are the Advantages of Laying Sod in Autumn?

Fall offers the right combination of warmth and moisture for laying cool grass sod. The cooler weather and moderate rainfall will minimize transplant stress and reduce water requirements, meaning you don’t need to invest in as much lawn maintenance to ensure the grass takes root.

The roots will then continue to grow throughout late fall, during any thaw periods in winter, and into early spring. As a result, you will have a healthy, mature lawn by next year.

If you were to plant in spring, you’d have to wait until the soil is dry enough to be properly graded. Soaked soil creates muddy conditions, which makes room for air pockets and divots. This can cause sod to overlap, develop gaps, and even fail to take root. Meanwhile, in the summer, the heat increases the risk of the sod overheating and drying out. 

For a stunning lawn, turn to the experts at Metro Sod & Seeding. This lawn care company has over 25 years of experience making gardens, lawns, and public spaces in Lincoln, NE, and the surrounding areas look beautiful. Their team has specialized training to work on big and small lawn maintenance, renovation, sodding, excavation, grading, and sprinkler projects. Call them today at (402) 730-4421 to discuss your needs, and visit their website to see some of their past work.