August 6, 2009

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.

Another good thing about sod is that it can be planted anytime so there would be no problems no matter what season you choose to do your landscaping. Maybe the best reason to choose it over seeding is that it can be used for total installation and it is just so much easier than actually planting grass.

First of all you must choose the type of sod to use. Choosing the best kind of sod for your situation should be based on its appearance and the maintenance it will need to do well. There are types of sod that do well in shade while others do better with with more exposure from the sun. This means that the layout of the yard should be considered to make sure that the sod that is chosen will survive.

You must also consider the consider the climate before selecting the type of sod to be used. Not all varieties will do well in cold climates, hot climates, or places where it is rainy all the time. There are also sods that can withstand high traffic areas better than others so if a lot of activities for the future lawn is in mind, it is best to consider those.

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.

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Filed under Lawn Care by Wayne Jefferson

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