When your lawn is in the best shape, you have all the good reasons to take pride in its appearance.
The process entails exhaustive research, making the right decisions, and being patient to see the final results.
When planning the landscape, the primary choice you’ll have to make will be between sod and grass.
Once you decide that you want to go with sod, you will have to pick between the different types of sod.
To lift some of the burden off your shoulders, we have come up with this guide on what is sod, its types, and much more.
So, get ready to note down all the details you ever wanted on sod.
Learn More: Lawn Care Schedule: Bring Out the Green Side All Year-Round
What is Sod?
It is a type of turf grass that homeowners can transplant into a barren patch of lawn.
Even though only a handful of options are available when it comes to the types of sod, there is no better alternative than sod for erosion-prone areas in Canada.
In areas that have slopes, it is usually impossible to sow seeds to grow new grass. To combat that, sod control erosion and appears as clean grass changing the entire appeal of the land.
Grown on specialized farms, sod is fully-grown lawn grass.
To produce a visually appealing and dense grass cover, sod producers pay close attention to weed and other pest management, fertilization, mowing, and watering.
Sod can be cut to different lengths and widths after it is grown.
The strips are cut, immediately folded or rolled, and then transported to the location to place it.
People who work at sports stadiums, recreational fields and golf courses know what is sod as it is a famous option.
If you are searching for what is sod, chances are that you will be interested in installing one of the types of sod.
So, let’s discuss how you are close to having a piece of nature in your backyard.
What Makes the Types of Sod A Preferable Option
To plant new lawns on surfaces where planting seeds didn’t work efficiently, numerous types of sod are a good choice.
In places where people can’t be bothered about sowing seeds due to the vast stretches of land, sod is a quick and long-lasting solution.
Don’t Have to Wait For Seasons To Pass
It can take up to 10 to 12 weeks for many freshly sown lawns to become suitable for even moderate foot traffic.
Climate changes have a great impact on blooming times.
Although none of the types of sod would be ready for regular lawn traffic right after placement, the lawn appears finished as soon as it is installed.
After the sod roots start to lock their place in the soil, regular lawn traffic can resume.
Installing sod at any point during the growing season is a trick for optimal growth.
The three plain and simple requirements for the types of sod is that the ground is not frozen and there is enough water available for both establishment and upkeep.
It takes a complete growing season for newly seeded grass to become dense and mature enough to tolerate heavy lawn traffic.
Types of sod face many other dangers and factors, like weed overrun, rain wash-outs, and germination rate.
Easy To Establish
A lawn that has been seeded requires more upkeep initially.
For seeds to set in the soil properly, they must be sown during peak growth time.
This time can differ depending on the different zones across the world.
During the establishment of seeds, watering is also essential. During this stage, close observation and consideration are necessary.
Seeding will require your undivided attention for more than a year to prevent the lawn from turning into a brown mess. Worst of all, all the hard work may go down the drain with the first downpour.
On the other hand, types of sod make an immediate, weed-free, dense, and mature lawn.
With adequate care, it will typically begin to root in two to three weeks following installation.
Doesn’t Break the Bank
Weak grass or unsuccessful seed is vulnerable to weeds, insects, and disease.
If the homeowners make a mistake in their newly installed lawn, it will need more of your time and energy to correct or restart.
To start the process from scratch, you just need constant effort. There are increased or unforeseen maintenance expenses coming your way.
The expense of fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides may leave you with a shoestring budget for the rest of the month.
Many inexperienced homeowners overapply these treatments as they learn how to grow their lawns by trial and error.
Hence, it is best to seek professional help if someone is new to gardening and landscaping.
Reduces Soil Erosion
Seed and soil can be removed or pooled in heavy rains until roots take hold, making your efforts in vain.
Initially, sod acts as a blanket to assist in holding soil in place on slopes or places with erosion issues.
If you leave the soil damp and exposed to sprout grass seed, you may also attract weeds that impede your growth.
One of the healthiest biomaterials you may use for your house or place of business is various types of sod.
Restoring soil quality, reducing runoff, cleaning the air and groundwater, reducing erosion, and converting carbon dioxide into oxygen are all benefits of types of sod.
What’s more, it enhances aesthetic appeal, lowers noise and dust, and raises property values.
After learning what is sod and why it is a well-liked option, it’s time to move to the last section.
Learn More: Natural Solutions for an Attractive Lawn: Organic Lawn Care 101
Types of Sod: 5 Sod That Thrives in Canada
Just like the typical seeds that later grow in full-blade grass, there are multiple types.
Now that you know what is sod, let’s take a look at warm-season and cool-season sod.
1. Kentucky Bluegrass
Scientific Name: Poa pratensis
There are several reasons why Kentucky bluegrass is the predominant grass in most lawns.
It is a cool-season grass with a deep blue-green colour that looks spectacular in a yard.
It is dependable in various climates because it can survive in both hot and cold weather.
Although it prefers direct sunlight, some shade won’t damage this sod.
Its thin root system needs well-drained soil and regular watering.
Regular fertilization in fall and spring can help Kentucky bluegrass thrive.
It grows quickly from seed and produces an extremely dense lawn that every homeowner in the neighbourhood will envy.
Due to the thickness, it captures the pollutants, making your environment clean.
It is from the types of sod that you will frequently witness in parks, golf courses, cemeteries, and private residences.
Characteristics of Kentucky Bluegrass
- Foot Traffic: It is perfect for locations with a lot of traffic.
- Temperature: High resilience to cold and ability to survive the winter.
- Recovery: It recovers from damage by various diseases quite effectively.
- Growth: It sprouts in the spring as soon as the snow melts
- Appearance: Good density, colour, and texture in comparison to other types of sod.
2. Ryegrass
Scientific Name: Lolium perenne
Ryegrass is one of the types of sod that is more suited to places with lower temperatures, like Toronto.
So, if the winter hits hard in your area and often overstays its welcome, this one from the types of sod will survive long dry spells.
It needs regular watering and fertilization roughly three to five times a year.
Yet, once you have it on your lawn, you can go on long trips without worry. That is because it can go without water for extended periods of time.
These types of sod can be seen in playgrounds, private residences, hotels, sports fields, and other locations where there is a lot of foot traffic.
Characteristics of Ryegrass
- Sun Exposure: While Ryegrass can withstand some shade, it needs at least five hours of direct sunlight each day.
- Growth: Ryegrass takes root more quickly than other grass species.
- Temperature: It flourishes in moderate temperatures, such as in coastal areas.
- Foot Traffic: Among cool-season grasses, perennial Ryegrass has the highest resistance to traffic.
- Disease Resistance: Ryegrass has a limited heat and drought tolerance because of its short roots. Additionally, it has innate resistance to insects and illnesses.
3. Tall Fescue
Scientific Name: Festuca arundinacea
This also falls in the types of sod that grow in the cool season.
The peak growth time for Tall Fescue is fall and spring.
It has a rich, deep green colour all year round, a sturdy root system, and compatibility with various grass varieties.
In fact, out of all the types of sod for cool season, it is the most heat-tolerant.
It works for playgrounds and public spaces with little irrigation.
However, there is one drawback to choosing Tall Fescue. It takes up to two weeks to sprout, making it a slow-growing grass.
So, if you are looking for a quick solution to reduce the amount of soil that gets tracked indoors or soil erosion, this may not be the best choice.
This is also from the types of sod that need fertilization two to four times a year.
Due to its extremely minimal care requirements, it is well-liked for private residences and business spaces.
Characteristics of Tall Fescue
- Growth: It grows in the form of bunches.
- Tolerance: It is somewhat resistant to disease. And its tolerance to drought and heat is superbly high.
- Foot Traffic: It has high traffic tolerance.
- Soil Requirements: It performs best in clay soils.
4. Bermudagrass
Scientific Name: Cynodon dactylon
The first warm-season grass in our list of types of sod is Bermudagrass.
It prefers high temperatures and requires a lot of water to be the amazing green backdrop of your on-the-go life.
Bermudagrass is a great option for warm-season lawns owned by pet owners because it can withstand dog poop as well.
It requires a lot of sunlight, but expect it to yield a short lawn even after that.
For apparent reasons, it cannot tolerate shade.
This grass can be mowed to 0.5 to 1/8th inch.
Perennial Ryegrass and Bermuda grass keep your side of the fence green in the summertime.
The Ryegrass will die off in late April and give way to Bermuda grass.
Bermudagrass is one of the grass varieties most resistant to drought, which can withstand dry conditions for up to four weeks.
Characteristics of Bermuda Grass
- Sun Exposure: It needs at least seven hours of direct sunlight daily to flourish.
- Foot Traffic: Bermudagrass is highly resilient to heavy traffic.
- Tolerance: It has low cold tolerance and quickly dorms in the winter. Bermudagrass tolerates salt very well.
- Growth: It grows quickly, and the sod takes hold quickly. Its quick growth rate allows it to surmount the majority of lawn weeds.
- Upkeep: Bermudagrass is a high-maintenance grass that needs well-drained soil, regular fertilizing, and watering.
5. Canada Bluegrass
Scientific Name: Poa compressa
The Northern United States and Canada are home to the extremely resilient cool-season types of sod known as Canada bluegrass.
It can be green or grayish-blue in colour.
Because it requires relatively little attention, it grows fine on the sides of streams and in locations challenging to reach for maintenance.
Characteristics of Canada Bluegrass
- Appearance: It is fine-textured with unbranched hairless stems.
- Tolerance: It can tolerate full or partial sunlight and thrive in poor, rocky, or sandy soil.
- Growth: Its blooming period is during the summer.
- Sun Exposure: It prefers full or partial sun.
Related Blog: Fall Lawn Care: Complete Checklist for a Well-Maintained Lawn
FAQs
What is a sod cutter?
Sod cutter, a tool for removing sod, ensures that the new sod you lay is level and consistent with the other areas of the lawn. It removes the grass and a thin layer of earth underneath.
And what distinguishes sod from grass?
Sod is also grass but it doesn’t grow with the typical seeding method.
How long is the life of sod?
When properly maintained, different types of sod can last ten years or more.
When is the ideal season to install sod?
The ideal time to install cool-weather sod is in the early fall. Early July is the ideal period for warm-season sod.
In a Nutshell
Finally, this is our guide on what is sod.
We hope that now you have not only the answer to what is sod but are also one step away from making the best choice.
There are multiple things to consider before selecting a specific variety of sod for the lawn.
Thankfully, sods are less demanding when it comes to watering and sun exposure needs.
Nevertheless, they can be fussy about the location you plant them in.
To ensure that the average weather and climate promote the growth of different types of sod.
If you feel that lawn care can never be your forte, delegate the work to Falcons Landscaping.