What are the signs of high-quality sod? First, look for green grass, dense roots, and uniform color. Then, determine whether it has been recently fertilized. These qualities indicate healthy grass and should not be mistaken for poor-quality sod. These are not all indicators, however. These are simply the most obvious. You can always do your research and observations, like looking up Deltona Sod, for example, to get more information.
Grass Color
A well-groomed lawn is the envy of many homeowners, but even with a great-looking yard, it may be hard to maintain the grass in good condition. Water regularly. Water your lawn thoroughly within half an hour if it is warm outside for cooler temperatures, and water sod every day. During this time, your sod will start to grow its leaf blades.
Soil quality. A bare patch of soil is not suitable for laying sod. The ground beneath must have 4-6 inches of healthy and loosened topsoil. Poor quality soil is difficult to till and can kill sod. Also, it may not retain moisture well enough for the grass to grow. If it’s complex or rocky, it might require topsoil.
Dense Roots
A healthy lawn will have dense roots, and quality sod will have both. For the best sod, the supplier should follow specific standards. It would be best if you cut it to an appropriate thickness to support weight and maintain its shape when suspended. It should be delivered to the site within 36 hours. The sod should have varieties adapted to its location. It’s top three to six inches of soil should be free of rocks, stones, clods, and large roots.
The soil type can help encourage deep root development. Heavy clay soils retain water well but tend to compact and become waterlogged quickly. Organic matter in the soil can help loosen and improve air exchange. This can help improve the soil’s moisture level. If there are large quantities of organic matter in the ground, this can be another indication of high-quality sod. Also, it can make sod more resistant to disease.
Moisture Content
Moisture content is one of the first things to look for when buying sod. This is an essential factor to consider as the longer the sod is in its dry state, the slower the roots will knit into the soil. This is why it is essential to water the area after sodding within half an hour on a hot day. After sodding, you should be able to see the first leaves of the new lawn and the beginning of its root growth. During this time, the soil is moist but not saturated.
Diseased or Unhealthy Grass
There are many signs of diseased or unhealthy grass. Some are visible on your lawn, while others are not. A property with summer or brown patch is one of the most apparent indicators of poor-quality grass. These diseases are often caused by soil compaction and high nitrogen levels. Other symptoms include a brown patch or summer patch, which begins as tiny, two-inch circles of brown grass but rapidly spreads to areas 12 inches or more in diameter. Powdery mildew, which is very fast-spreading, is another indicator of unhealthy grass. Powdery mildew interferes with photosynthesis and will make the grass look brown.
A brown patch is a disease that affects tall fescue. This cool-season grass is not very hardy in hot weather so it can be susceptible to brown patches. While you cannot completely cure it, you can manage brown patches. Brown patch is most prevalent in lawns with little air circulation and significant shade. You can minimize the symptoms of the brown patch by encouraging proper air circulation and pruning the bottom limbs of trees.
