- Factors to Consider When Selecting Sod<\/a><\/li>
- Cool-Season Sod<\/a><\/li>
- Warm-Season Sod<\/a><\/li>
- Pros and Cons of Sod<\/a><\/li>
- Sod vs. Alternatives<\/a><\/li>
- How to Install Sod<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ About the Best Types of Sod<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
Factors to Consider When Selecting Sod<\/h2>
Before laying down sod, it\u2019s important to figure out what type of sod is the best for your lawn. Turf has different levels of tolerance, maintenance needs, and even aesthetics. Here are some factors to consider when you go sod shopping:<\/p>
- Location<\/a><\/li>
- Purpose<\/a><\/li>
- Maintenance Needs<\/a><\/li>
- Aesthetic<\/a><\/li>
- Price<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
Location<\/h3>
![\"Map](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/rsz_lawnstarter-overseeding-map_1-646x408.jpg\")
Infographic by Juan Rodriguez<\/figcaption><\/figure> Where do you live?<\/strong> Generally, homeowners living in the North will want cold-hardy cool-season grasses<\/a>, while those living in the South should opt for heat-loving warm-season grasses<\/a>. If you live in the transition zone<\/a>, you\u2019ll need cool-season grasses that can survive during the hotter months or warm-season grasses that can handle cooler temperatures.<\/p>
You\u2019ll also need to check how shady your lawn is<\/strong>. Some sod will do just fine under partial shade, while others need full sunlight. Here\u2019s a guide to growing grass in the shade<\/a>, which could be useful to homeowners with lots of shady lawn spots.<\/p>
Lastly, you\u2019ll need to check your soil type and what nutrients it contains<\/strong> (typically done with a soil test<\/a>). While some turfgrass species can grow in almost any type of soil<\/a>, most grasses prefer certain growing conditions. If you\u2019re set on growing a specific type of turfgrass but don\u2019t have the right balance of soil nutrients, then you\u2019ll need to use soil amendments to improve your lawn<\/a>.<\/p>
Purpose<\/h3>
What will you be doing with your lawn? If you don\u2019t have any pets and don\u2019t plan to walk on your lawn much, then you don\u2019t have to worry about this section. <\/p>
But what if you have pets and\/or children or use your lawn for events or hanging out? Then, you\u2019ll need a durable turf species that can handle the wear and tear of foot traffic. You might want to look into grass that can handle dog urine, which can kill turf<\/a>.<\/p>
Maintenance Needs<\/h3>
![\"a](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Hand-Held-Granular-Fertilizer.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Bochkarev Photography<\/a> \/ Shutterstock \/ License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Some types of sod are easier to maintain than others, requiring less fertilizer, irrigation, and mowing. Others require lots of water to survive through the hotter months, need regular dethatching<\/a> and mowing, or must be fed with fertilizers to grow vigorously.<\/p>
Some grasses are also more prone to lawn diseases<\/a>, turf pests<\/a>, and weeds<\/a>, so they\u2019ll need more attention.<\/p>
Aesthetic<\/h3>
Turf comes in different shades of green, ranging from light green to emerald to blue-green. Grass blades also have different shapes and sizes, contributing to their texture; turf can be fine or coarse to the touch.<\/p>
Price<\/h3>
The cost of sod<\/a> ranges from $0.20 <\/strong>to $0.85 per square foot,<\/strong> depending on the turfgrass species you choose to get for your lawn. The cheapest warm-season grass is Bahiagrass, while the most affordable cool-season grass is perennial ryegrass.<\/p>
Cool-Season Sod<\/h2>
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/LS-cool-season-growth.jpg\")
Infographic by Juan Rodriguez<\/figcaption><\/figure> Cool-season turf is best for lawns that experience cold, harsh winters as they\u2019re better suited for such temperatures. Some grasses can stand up to drought conditions and heat, making those species better for lawns in the transition zone. Here are some of the best cool-season sod species:<\/p>
- Fine Fescues<\/a><\/li>
- Kentucky Bluegrass<\/a><\/li>
- Perennial Ryegrass<\/a><\/li>
- Tall Fescue<\/a><\/li> <\/ul>
Fine Fescues (Festuca <\/em>spp.)<\/h3>
![\"Close](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Fine-fescue-grass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Aaron Patton \/ Purdue’s Turfgrass Science Program<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> When bought as sod, fine fescue<\/a> can have a mix of different fescue species, such as creeping red fescue, Chewings fescue, hard fescue, or sheep fescue. This turfgrass is perfect for homeowners who want a low-maintenance lawn, as it doesn\u2019t need much fertilizer or vigorous mowing. It also has moderate to high drought resistance, doesn\u2019t mind a little shade, and holds up against salt.<\/p>
However, look elsewhere if you\u2019re going to walk on your lawn a lot; generally, fine fescues can\u2019t handle heavy foot traffic. Their tall fescue counterparts tolerate wear and tear much better.<\/p>
Fine fescue characteristics:<\/h4>
- Spreads by: <\/strong>Mostly a bunch-type grass, so it doesn\u2019t spread; creeping red fescue is the exception as it spreads through rhizomes.<\/li>
- Appearance: <\/strong>Narrow leaves with a fine texture; color depends on species.<\/li> <\/ul>
Tolerances:<\/strong><\/p>
- Shade: <\/strong>Moderate to high<\/li>
- Drought: <\/strong>Moderate to high<\/li>
- Foot traffic: <\/strong>Low to moderate<\/li>
- Other: <\/strong>Salt (moderate)<\/li> <\/ul>
Maintenance needs:<\/strong><\/p>
- Fertilizer: <\/strong>Low<\/li>
- Mowing: <\/strong>Low<\/li>
- Water: <\/strong>Moderate<\/li>
- Potential for disease: <\/strong>Moderate. Mostly affected by red thread<\/a>, leaf spot<\/a>, dollar spot<\/a>, summer patch<\/a>, and powdery mildew<\/a>.<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun to partial shade<\/li>
- Soil: <\/strong>Prefers drier, well-draining soils with a pH of 6 to 6.5. Tolerates many types of soil and varying fertility levels.<\/li>
- Mowing height: <\/strong>2.5 to 4 inches, depending on species<\/li> <\/ul>
Kentucky Bluegrass (Poa pratensis<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"close-up](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/06\/kentucky-bluegrass.jpg\")
Photo Credit: KellyvanDellen<\/a> \/ Canva Pro \/ License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Known for its bluish-green hue, Kentucky bluegrass<\/a> (KBG) is loved by many homeowners. This cool-season grass is the most cold-resistant common turfgrass species, so it\u2019s a good option if you live somewhere particularly chilly during winter. It\u2019s probably best that KBG stays in the colder parts of the country, too; its shallow roots make it more susceptible to heat and drought.<\/p>
KBG can\u2019t handle shade and is prone to diseases. But that\u2019s where its poor tolerances end. It is moderately wear-resistant and can recover from dog urine, making it a better choice than fine fescue grasses if you have pets that like to run around your lawn.<\/p>
Unlike fescue grasses, Kentucky bluegrass sod has less of a tendency to become patchy as it spreads through rhizomes (underground stems). If some areas die off, the remaining grass will spread to the bare patches and fill them in. However, it needs more maintenance than fine fescue.<\/p>
Kentucky bluegrass characteristics:<\/h4>
- Spreads by: <\/strong>Rhizomes<\/li>
- Appearance: <\/strong>Blue-green leaves with boat-shaped tips, medium to fine texture<\/li> <\/ul>
Tolerances:<\/strong><\/p>
- Shade: <\/strong>Low<\/li>
- Drought: <\/strong>Moderate<\/li>
- Foot traffic: <\/strong>Moderate<\/li>
- Other: <\/strong>Dog urine (moderate), Cold (best of cool-season grasses)<\/li> <\/ul>
Maintenance needs:<\/strong><\/p>
- Fertilizer: <\/strong>High<\/li>
- Mowing: <\/strong>Moderate<\/li>
- Water: <\/strong>Moderate<\/li>
- Potential for disease: <\/strong>Moderate to high. Prone to leaf spot, dollar spot, summer patch, stripe smut, and necrotic ring spot.<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun (some variants can handle light shade)<\/li>
- Soil: <\/strong>Prefers fertile, heavy, and well-draining soils with a pH of 6 to 7.5.<\/li>
- Mowing height: <\/strong>2.5 to 3.5 inches<\/li> <\/ul>
Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"perennial](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/perennial-ryegrass-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: arousa<\/a> \/ Canva Pro \/ License<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> Among the many species of ryegrass, the one often used in sod is perennial ryegrass<\/a>. While it can be patchy, this clumping, bunch-type grass grows fast and outcompetes weeds. This growth has to be supported, though; it needs more water and fertilizer than other types of grass.<\/p>
Perennial ryegrass is one of the best grasses for high-traffic lawns because of its great resistance to foot traffic. It\u2019s also pretty tolerant against dog urine. However, it can\u2019t handle heat and drought due to its shallow roots<\/p>
Perennial ryegrass characteristics:<\/h4>
- Spreads by: <\/strong>Bunch-type growth habit, so it doesn\u2019t spread like creeping grasses.<\/li>
- Appearance: <\/strong>Pale green<\/li> <\/ul>
Tolerances:<\/strong><\/p>
- Shade: <\/strong>Low<\/li>
- Drought: <\/strong>Low<\/li>
- Foot traffic: <\/strong>High (best of all common turfgrasses)<\/li>
- Other: <\/strong>Dog urine (moderate)<\/li> <\/ul>
Maintenance needs:<\/strong><\/p>
- Fertilizer: <\/strong>Moderate<\/li>
- Mowing: <\/strong>Moderate<\/li>
- Water: <\/strong>Moderate<\/li>
- Potential for disease: <\/strong>High. Susceptible to gray leaf spot<\/a>, red thread, and leaf spot (also known as melting-out).<\/li>
- Sun: <\/strong>Full sun<\/li>
- Soil: <\/strong>Prefers fertile, well-draining soils with a pH level of 6 to 7, but it can tolerate some poor drainage and soils with a pH between 5 and 8.<\/li>
- Mowing height: <\/strong>1.5 to 2.5 inches<\/li> <\/ul>
Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea<\/em>)<\/h3>
![\"tall](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/tall-fescue-1.jpg\")
Photo Credit: Aaron Patton \/ Purdue’s Turfgrass Science Program<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure> - Mowing: <\/strong>Moderate<\/li>
- Drought: <\/strong>Low<\/li>
- Appearance: <\/strong>Pale green<\/li> <\/ul>
- Mowing: <\/strong>Moderate<\/li>
- Drought: <\/strong>Moderate<\/li>
- Appearance: <\/strong>Blue-green leaves with boat-shaped tips, medium to fine texture<\/li> <\/ul>
- Mowing: <\/strong>Low<\/li>
- Drought: <\/strong>Moderate to high<\/li>
- Appearance: <\/strong>Narrow leaves with a fine texture; color depends on species.<\/li> <\/ul>
- Kentucky Bluegrass<\/a><\/li>
- Purpose<\/a><\/li>
- Cool-Season Sod<\/a><\/li>
![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.lawnstarter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/LS-warm-season-growth-1.jpg\")