Here are the four most common things that keep your new sod from taking root on your property.
You finally took the plunge and invested in new sod to help beautify your landscaping and improve the look and health of your overall lawn! After laying sod, you patiently waited for the new lawn to take root. And that hasn’t happened. Don’t panic! There are several common reasons your new sod may not be taking root, and you or your landscaping professional can address many of them. Read on to learn about the four most common things that keep your new sod from taking root on your property.
Lack of Soil Preparation
One of the biggest reasons new sod struggles to take root is that the soil wasn’t prepared properly. Before laying sod, you must remove rocks and debris that can block roots, clear any remaining grass from the area, and till and aerate to loosen the soil and allow roots to penetrate. You may also need to grade the area and install drainage or irrigation equipment. Neglecting these steps when they’re needed can mean that your sod struggles to root.
Issues With Watering
When watering new sod, the goal is to find the sweet spot of “just right” – both too little and too much water can cause problems. If you don’t water enough, the grass will be too stressed to root and grow, and the sod might completely wither and die. Watering too much can cause root rot, which can kill your lawn. Proper watering of new sod takes time and attention. An automatic irrigation system can help you get the exact amount of water for your sod, but a strict watering schedule will also work if you don’t have one.
Damage From Mowing
Mowing too soon or too short can also cause problems. Generally, when the sod takes root, it likely won’t grow too quickly. Once it fully roots, you can mow without worrying about causing damage. However, make sure that you aren’t mowing too short. Many people do (trying to mow less frequently), which can stress and even kill your grass.
Problems With The Sod Quality
Finally, if the sod you bought was of inferior quality or not the right sod for your area, this could be the reason it isn’t rooting. If you’ve done everything else right and it just won’t take root, the problem may be the sod itself. Reach out to your landscaping professional and see if they have any suggestions.
Get Your Yard Ready for Spring!
Since our inception from a humble 30-acre field to over 4,500 acres of turf grasses, Quantico Creek Sod Farm is now the LARGEST SOD FARM IN THE TRI-STATE AREA. Our service areas cover Pennsylvania, Maryland, DC Delaware, Virginia and Northern North Carolina. Order early and order often to ensure the best service possible. Contact us through our online page. Please find us at 27616 Little Lane, Salisbury, Maryland 21801. Our phone number is 410-726-6103, and our fax number is 410-742-6550. Speak to Jason Anderson for Turf Grass Sales. Reach him by email at jason@quanticocreeksod.com. Finally, follow us on social media on Facebook, LinkedIn, and our blog