The Best Time to Lay Kentucky Blue Sod

Best Time to Lay

• Technically, you can lay Kentucky blue sod at anytime during the year that the ground is not frozen and will not freeze for four to six weeks. However, there are some times that support healthier sod growth than others. The best time to lay Kentucky blue sod is in late summer or early fall. The warm, rainy weather promotes quick sod growth and establishment before winter sets in. With this installation, you avoid the weed and insect problems that often occur in spring as well as the intensive heat and dryness often associated with summer.

Laying in HIgh Heat

• If you cannot lay sod in the fall, the spring -- a week or two after the ground has thawed from the winter -- is the second best time to lay sod. The worst time to lay sod is in the high heat of summer. The Kentucky bluegrass needs a high level of moisture to germinate and spread roots into the soil; even in the cooler fall or spring weather, you will need to water at least twice or three times per week. If you lay the sod in the heat of summer, you will need to water at least once daily and even more in drought conditions. This excessive watering opens the door for mold growth and diseases.

Preparation Is Key

• Even at the perfect time of year, you must take some steps to prepare the soil before installing the sod. If there is any existing grass, mow it to 4 inches or shorter. Pull or hoe out all weeds; you can treat them with herbicide if you get to them at least four weeks before laying the sod. Otherwise the herbicide can stunt or reduce the sod's root growth. Rake the soil surface to remove any sticks, branches, stones or other debris that will separate the sod from the soil. If possible, run a soil test to determine the pH and nutrient levels of your soil. You can then add lime, sulfur and fertilizer as recommended by the test.

Maintenance

• Once the sod is installed, the key to good germination is to keep it consistently moist. Apply 1 inch of water every two to three days to keep the soil beneath the sod moist, which encourages roots to spread down into the soil in search of water. The actual amount of water needed will vary depending on temperature and rainfall. Check on your sod daily if temperatures are high or rainfall is low, and add more water if the soil feels dry up to 2 inches deep from the top.