Here in Florida, sod can be installed all year round. However, there are two seasons, Spring and Fall, that provide the most ideal conditions for growth. No matter the season you can successfully lay sod, check out these tips below and get your yard started anytime.
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Spring
Spring is the second-best time of the year to lay sod, and here in Florida, it's a perfect time to get your lawn ready for summer. The temperatures aren't too high, and many bugs are still dormant giving your grass the best chances for rooting.
Here are some key things to be aware of when laying sod in the spring:
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Similar to other times of the year, you’ll want to maintain a healthy watering schedule that keeps the sod moist, but not too wet during the first 14 days of spring. As a general rule, keep the soil moist three inches below the surface when establishing.
Summer
Summer is a tough time to lay sod. It is very hot and sometimes drought-prone. If you need to lay sod in the summer, be ready to water your new lawn very often as a means of maintaining quality health. You will want the soil to be damp three to four inches below the surface. Water often to make sure of this.
Here are some key things to be aware of when laying sod in the summer:
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Keep your lawn moist, but do not overwater it—if you do this, it will be susceptible to disease.
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Water your lawn early in the morning, midday, and early afternoon to help make sure it does not dry out.
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Taper back watering in the shadier spots since these areas are more prone to fungus and disease pressure.
Fall
The early fall or mid-fall tends to be the best time to plant sod. This is because the temperatures have cooled down from the summer highs and you tend to get more precipitation during these months. There is plenty of time between fall and winter for the sod to root and establish prior to dormancy which means in the winter, your lawn will be healthy, full, and easy to green up in the spring.
Here are some key things to be aware of when laying sod in the fall:
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Similar to other times of the year, you will want to maintain a healthy watering schedule that keeps the sod moist, but not too wet during the first 14 days of fall. As a general rule, keep the soil moist three inches below the surface when establishing.
Winter
A good number of people believe that laying sod in the winter is not possible. People think that either the sod is brown and therefore dead, or that they do not need to water it—both of these statements are wrong. When laying sod in the winter, the sod can look dormant, but dormancy is just like hibernation—it will be off-color and appear dead, but will regain its color when temperatures warm up. Similar to all other seasons, water is very important and you will need to dampen the soil prior to laying the sod and continuously water the sod to ensure it stays moist.
Here are some key things to be aware of when laying sod in the winter:
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Similar to other times of the year, you will want to maintain a healthy watering schedule that keeps the sod moist, but not too wet during the first 14 days of winter. As a general rule, keep the soil moist three inches below the surface when establishing.