Considering a sod lawn at your home or business? While many
elements of the process have been made user-friendly for the public, you will
still need to understand a few terms in order to choose the right sod and care
for it so it stays lush and green for your enjoyment. Discover some of these
terms and how they relate to your new sod.
1. Dormancy
Grasses and other plants go dormant to survive unfavorable
conditions for weeks or months. Cool-season grasses go dormant when the weather
is too hot, while warm-season grass goes dormant in the cold. Dormant grass
takes on a fairly uniform brown, dead appearance - but it is still deeply
rooted and far from dead. The right temperatures, watering, and fertilization
will bring it right back to life.
2. Friable (Soil)
Friable is a technical term for ideal soil texture (rather
than the mineral or acidity content) to help plants take root and grow. Often
referred to as loam, friable soil has a crumbly texture that allows good
drainage so roots do not become waterlogged, but it does not allow all moisture
to escape straight through. Friable soil is vital if you want your turf to root
well and become stable quickly.
3. pH
pH is the measurement of soil's acidity or alkalinity. It is
generally measured with simple soil tests that produce a number you can use to
make adjustments. Most lawn grasses like a pH between six and seven, so
understanding your pH levels is key to thriving turf. If the test indicates that
the soil pH needs raising, add limestone material to the mix. If it needs
lowering, do this with sulfur or aluminum sulfate.
4. Plugs
Plugs, as their name suggests, plug a hole in the lawn. A
sod plug is a small section of turf (the layer of earth and grass) planted in
the ground in rows or groupings 9-12 inches apart. As these take hold where
they are planted, they spread and fill out the intervening soil area. They may
fill in gaps or plant a new section in lieu of full sod. Sprigs are plugs
planted in a longer, more trench-like layout.
5. Seasons (Grass)
Grasses are divided into two categories based on how they
grow. Cool-season grasses (like fescue) go dormant in the hot months of summer
but tolerate plunging winter temperatures better. Warm-season grasses (such as
zoysia) grow in the spring and summer and have a higher tolerance for drought.
They may not survive a harsh winter, though. Your climate and lawn goals
determine the best season to use.
6. Turf
Most people think of turf and lawn as interchangeable. And
even though they are connected, they are different concepts. The lawn is an
expanse of grass that is tended and mowed. The turf, though, is what makes up
that lawn. Turf is the layer of earth that holds a dense carpet of grass and
its matted roots. Turf, then, makes up the lawn. The turf is what you must tend
to in order to have a beautiful lawn.
When you know more about how to choose the right
grass, how to prepare its soil, and how to maintain it, your new sod lawn will
be beautiful and simple all year long. Georgia property owners can learn more
by meeting with the pros at
Wright Turf
today. We are happy to answer your sod and lawn questions as well as to help
you become the best lawn owner you can be. Call today to make an appointment
and discover what we can do for you and your lawn.
