Choosing the Type of Sod for Landscaping
Using sod instead of planting grass seeds has a few advantages and that is why a lot of people prefer it. With sod, you can get a green lawn right away without the waiting time that it would take if you actually planted grass seeds. Sod also addresses erosion and controls it as well as eliminating dust and mud.
Sod can also be planted all year round so it won’t matter what season you plan to do your backyard landscaping. Although using sod is more expensive than planting grass seed, it is just so much easier and can be used for total installation or smaller pieces can be bought to repair smaller areas.
Your first step is to choose the right type of sod. You need to choose sod that will not only have the right appearance but also how much maintenance it needs to thrive. For instance, there are certain types of sod that do well with shade while others do better with sun exposure. This means that the layout of the back or front yard should also be considered to make sure the sod that is chosen will survive.
Another thing to consider is the climate and the type of soil you have before selecting the type of sod to be used. You will want to pick sod that does well in your environment to give it the best chance of surviving and growing into strong green grass.
Kentucky Bluegrass can survive northern climates but there is a need to water it regularly to keep it green. It needs more water than warm season grass. Tall Fescue, on the other hand, has a lighter shade of green and can withstand drought. It is expected to flourish in moist areas but it will be able to adapt to different kinds of soil and it is preferred for high traffic areas. Bermuda is considered to be high maintenance because it does poorly in the shade and is best for southern climates. It is often the type of sod used for outdoor playing fields which explains much about how much it can withstand high traffic.
Zoysia is also does well in southern climates and it likes clay and sandy soil while growing quite well in the sun. One of the advantages of Zoysia is that it also does well in shade and is naturally-sresistant to weeds. You can also combine different varieties of sod to improve the adaptability to your climate. Sod is a great choice when you are planning your yard or garden but it is a good to start to know which type would be best suited to your geographical area.
