Sod is a great choice for homeowners who want an instantly beautiful lawn without waiting thousand years for grass seed to grow. Sod is mature turf grass, grown at a farm, and cut into pieces. The pieces arrive at your house with the grass, roots, and soil intact. There are different types of sod to pick; some are more popular than the others. Here are the popular picks for homeowners.
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If you live in the central plains of the United States, buffalo grass is a popular pick. It is a warm season, perennial lawn that is native to the area. People love it because it can handle dry weeks and resist pests.
There are some negatives to buffalo grass. It shouldn’t be grown in an area that receives a lot of traffic. If your kids run through your grass every day for hours, it probably isn’t a good choice. Besides, you also have to lay buffalo grass in very small squares – 2 square inches!
Bermuda grass is a great choice for those who live in the warmer southern states in the United States. Its aggressive growth leads to easier weeds resistance than other types of sod. Homeowners love Bermuda grass because it is wear-resistant and drought-tolerant. If you have a lot of traffic in your yard, it is a great pick.
Unfortunately, its rapid growth means it will invade flower and garden beds easier than other types of grass. Some homeowners add rye seed to the Bermuda grass throughout the winter for a consistently green lawn.
For those who live in the southeastern United States, you might like the St. Augustine grass. This grass loves moist, sunny locations and warm climates. The root grows rapidly and attaches to your lawn easily.
St. Augustine grass is popular for Florida gardeners because it tolerates salt more than other varieties. When fully grown, this grass has a thick, coarse texture, densely grown, and deep green.
Read more: What Is The Difference Between Bermuda Grass And St. Augustine?
The largest negative for St. Augustine grass is that it does require more maintenance. Most homeowners need to install an irrigation system or water frequently. St. Augustine grass doesn’t like dry or drought conditions. It is a bad pick for high foot-traffic lawns. If you have a small soccer squad playing in your lawn, avoid St. Augustine grass!
Those who live on the east coast love Kentucky blue grass! It is the perfect selection for homeowners who have a lot of traffic through their yard. Kentucky blue grass creates a thick, green lawn that makes your neighbors jealous.
When you purchase Kentucky blue grass, it is sold as a blend with a variety of blue grasses or a mixture of Tall Fescue grass. The mixture creates a unique look that makes it easy to identify this grass. You do have to make sure that the grass receives adequate sunlight and regular irrigation to maintain a consistent lawn.
East coast living folks have another choice for sod – centipede grass. Centipede grass grows slowly, requires little maintenance and loves warm climates. Besides that, it is one of the best grasses for sandy soil. It will establish quickly in your lawn, perfect for homeowners who don’t want to wait an entire season to have a beautiful yard.
One thing to note is that centipede grass will suffer from damage if the temperatures drop below 15 degrees Fahrenheit. You need to pay attention to your location and the lowest average temperature. It is best for those who live on the southeastern coast of the United States where the soil tends to be more acidic.
Zoysia grass is a popular choice for those who live in south-central America or areas close to the Gulf Coast. It is a warm climate grass. Homeowners love it because it is drought, wear, and shade tolerant. Once established in your lawn, you don’t have to do much to maintain it.
The minus of this type of grass is the high initial cost layout. To be more specific, the actual price of Zoysia grass is 30% higher than that of St. Augustine grass. However, the soil preparation and installation labor contribute mostly to the higher cost. After laying down a base of silica sand and Canadian peat moss, Zoysia grass needs a follow-up visit. To ensure a soft, green carpet of grass it is advisable to pay special attention to maintenance.
These are just six of the different types of sod you could purchase. All have positive and negative features to consider. Also consider these factors to your best choice:
Once you go through the factors, making a selection isn’t that difficult. Your local nursery has a few options ideal for your location. All you need to do is look at your individual needs!
Do you have a favorite type of sod? Let us know!