Planting Grass This Year? Why Not Consider Installing Sod?
If you’re in the process of planting grass this year, you may be working with a lawn which needs more than just reseeding. Most lawns need to be re-turfed at some point.
The lawn issues, explained.
There’s a series of possible issues which you may need to address. This is the usual range of reasons your lawn may have developed gaps and bald patches.
Grass root systems can become dysfunctional. Soil impaction and heavy traffic usage can break up the root systems which hold the lawn together. The root systems “unravel”, creating gaps. The lawn can’t regrow itself because the soil is too hard, physically preventing it from growing.
Local climate plays a role in lawn deterioration. A tough winter and severe wind chill or a harsh summer can dry out areas of the lawn, particularly the most exposed areas. The lawn, naturally, stops growing in these hostile areas. Again, the root system is affected. Heat dries out the roots, and cold kills them.
Terrain also contributes to lawn problems. A sloping area may experience runoff issues. Water cuts in to the soil, exposing the roots, which dry out.
Unintentional over-mowing can do a lot of damage, particularly if the blades are set too low. It’s possible to expose root systems by mowing, particularly in summer, and the damage can be severe to the point where replanting is unavoidable.
Wet zones and too much water, ironically, can also kill lawns very effectively. Water can remove nutrients from the soil by simply washing them away. The lawn basically starves.
Soil quality is the other, usually very difficult, problem for lawns. A good basic soil will eventually run down unless well maintained. The soil loses nutrients over time unless replenished, and worse, loses the biochemistry which makes nutrients available to the lawn. Sandy soils and clay are the usual suspects.
Planting sod – The all-round option for a beautiful new lawn
Planting sod is a great option to revive or replace a lawn. The process of planting sod includes directly managing all the problems of the lawn.
Sod is planted systematically:
- A good bed is created for the sod prior to planting with sufficient depth for the grass roots.
- Good soil quality is ensured, and top quality soil may be added to the site prior to planting.
- The appropriate choice of grass type is made.
- Each roll of sod is carefully laid in strips.
- No gaps are permitted in the newly laid sod to avoid the exposure problems described above.
- After planting, the sod is thoroughly watered in and bonded to the soil.
Landscapers also check out any site issues like drainage and exposure, identifying problem areas. In some cases, they may suggest wind protection or canopy cover to address overexposure, or some alternative form of protection.
We provide a full range of turfing services in New York. If you’d like to talk to us about your lawn needs, we’ll be happy to assist.
Call us or contact us online.