A Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing Sod

On the hunt for sod in Sunnyvale? As you inspect sod samples at your local sod and turf retailer, make sure that you know exactly what to look for to ensure that your installed sod grows strong and healthy. Here’s what to look for when choosing the best sod for your landscaping project.

Sod Should Be Properly Rolled
First, take note of how sod is rolled by the sod installer you’re considering. Properly rolling sod can help to protect blades of grass from getting damaged prior to installation. It can speed up the installation process, reducing labor costs and time. Sod should be rolled with dirt facing out, and the dirt should be fairly moist to the touch. A dry dirt layer indicates insufficient watering, which compromises the health and heartiness of the sod.

Inspect the Sod
Once you’ve confirmed that the sod samples are rolled properly, inspect the grass side of the sod to ensure the grass is healthy. Blades should be at least 2 inches long and uniform in color and thickness. These are signs that the raw material going into your sod lawn is of high quality. Patches of brown or yellow grass are a sign that the sod might already be weak, which means it may not be able to take root before dying.

Check for Weeds and Bugs
The last thing you want in your newly sodded lawn is a sudden weed or bug infestation! Check for signs of weed growth or insects to protect your new sod lawn as well as any additional landscaping you may already have in your lawn.

Determine Root Strength
In order for sod lawn installation to be successful, sod rolls must have a strong network of roots preexisting in the dirt layer. In healthy sod, you should be able to tug on blades without easily lifting them out of the dirt layer. If blades are easy to pull out, the roots are not established enough to survive a sod installation.