Sunday, November 27, 2011

Information To Help Choose The Best Sod For Your Yard

By Adriana Noton


Looking for the right sod for your lawn might seem a little confusing at times. Some varieties do better in certain areas, while some need specific fertilizer and watering routines. There is also the amount of sun or shade the grass will receive to keep in mind. To discover which sod will work best in your yard, continue reading for some helpful hints.

Northern climates are perfect for Kentucky Bluegrass. This variety is soft, lush, and famous for its dark green color. It tolerates some shade and does great in full sun. However it does need more watering during the warm weather than it does in cooler weather and does not do well during droughts. It is best to use four to six pounds of nitrogen per 1000 square feet in the early fall and then less during the spring.

Another variety that does well in northern climates is Tall Fescue. This variety does great in any type of soil and is light to medium green in color. Water and fertilize moderately. It takes only three pounds of nitrogen per 1000 square feet during the non-summer months.

Bermuda grass is excellent in southern climates. It tolerates heat well and is used places where there is a lot of foot traffic, such as athletic fields and golf courses. The amount of watering and fertilizer it needs is dependent on the amount of use and receives. It is drought tolerant and is easy to over water. The best method is to water deeply, about one inch, per week to develop deep root growth. Homeowners should fertilize every thirty to forty-five days, using one pound of nitrogen for every 1,000 square feet.

Zoysia and St. Augustine grass both do well in southern climates. Both love lots of sunshine. Zoysia also does well in shade and needs little water. However it will need aeration because it does thatch. Fertilize it with 2-5 pounds of nitrogen per year.

On the other hand, St. Augustine grass can tolerate only a little shade. Watering is dependent on the amount of rain fall in the area with light to moderate usually being plenty. To keep the color green and avoid irregular growth and color, fertilize it with one pound of nitrogen per 1000 square feet each month. It will tolerate more fertilize but then it will develop diseases and pest problems.

Centipede sod is low maintenance and great in hot climates that are either dry or moist. It is light green in color and grows slowly but does resist weeds. Low mowing or over fertilizing will cause it to die. When the sod is first put down, do keep it moist but not soaked. Then once it is established it only need moderate to low watering. When fertilizing, do not use phosphorus and low to medium nitrogen and potassium. A good fertilizer mix is 15-0-15.

Using sod instead of seeding a lawn will get you fast results. Just be sure to water and fertilize appropriately. Check the internet and your gardening center for more information.




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