There are many ways to plant a new lawn, including sowing seed, hydroseeding, and laying sod. However, sod is the option that offers instant gratification. You can go from a dirt patch to a lush lawn in a matter of hours. But what is sod, and what are the real benefits of sod installation? Here's a breakdown of everything you need to know about sod and sod installation.

What Is Sod?

Sod is basically grass that has been grown on topsoil on huge sod farms. To harvest the sod, it is cut into small sections and rolled for transport to your home or local garden center.

What Grass Makes the Best Sod?

There is no one grass type that is better for sod than another. Rather, sod farmers choose the grass or mixture of species best suited for the local environment. The most common types of grass used for sod are Kentucky bluegrass, fescue grass, and Bermuda grass. Each type of grass has different characteristics, but all are extremely durable and easy to maintain after installation.

How Is Sod Installed?

While sod installation can be a DIY project, it is best installed by a professional landscaping company. ISod installation involves tilling the ground to loosen up the soil and then laying out the rolls of sod in a pattern that suits your needs. Once laid out, the edges should be lightly tamped down or rolled over with a weighted roller, so the sod makes good contact with the soil below.

How Do You Maintain Sod After Installation?

Once your sod is installed, there are a few things you need to do to keep it alive until it can take root and thrive. The most important task is watering the sod. Depending on the weather and time of year, watering should be done multiple times a day until you start to see new growth. You should also hold off on mowing until you know the sod is established and the roots have a strong hold in the ground. If you mow too soon, you risk dislodging sections of sod with your lawnmower.

What Are the Benefits of Sod Installation?

There are many benefits of sod installation, including:

• Quick. It looks great right away. There's no waiting around for seeds to germinate. The instant you lay down the rolls of sod, you have a beautiful green lawn.
• Improves soil. Sod has several inches of topsoil attached from the sod farm, which instantly improves your existing soil without the need for any soil additives.
• Reduces weeds. Rolls of sod are thick and instantly smother any weeds or weed seeds on the existing soil, preventing them from reaching maturity.
• Prevents erosion. Sod installation reduces erosion from rainwater runoff from your yard.

Sod installation is an excellent way to quickly add value and beauty to your home. Talk to your local landscape company about how sod can improve the look and feel of your outdoor space.