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What Type of Grass Sod Should I Use?

Sod selection is one of the most decisions gardeners can make for a healthy lawn. Your climate plays a large part of this decision. Those living in northern regions that experience temperate summers typically grow a cool season sod type. Gardeners living in the southern United State generally grow a warm season sod variety. Other factors play apart of your sod selection such as the amount of sun in your yard, the amount of maintenance you want to give the the lawn and the amount of foot traffic your yard will receive.
  1. Cool and Warm Season Sod

    • Cool season sod types include bentgrass, hard fescue mixed with Kentucky bluegrass, red fescue mixed with Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass mixed with Kentucky bluegrass, Kentucky bluegrass mixed with ryegrass or fine fescue and tall fescue, according to the University of California. Warm season sod types include zoysia, buffalo, St. Augustine, sea paspalum and kikuyu. In addition to there being two main types of sod, gardeners should plant these types at different times of the year. Install cool season sod in the fall and warm season in the spring.

    Sun Requirements

    • Most sod types regardless if they are cool or warm season varieties prefer eight to 10 hours of sunlight a day. Not all lawns receive this amount of sun. Many lawns have shade from trees, other structures or next door houses. Gardeners should plant shade tolerant sod in these areas to prevent unhealthy grass. Planting a shade intolerant type in these areas will result in thinning grass, fungal disease or dead sod. Types of shade tolerant sod types include fescue, red fescue, zoysia and St. Augustine.

    Maintenance

    • Not every gardeners can devote an extensive amount of time to mowing each week. By choosing a slow growing sod, you reduce the frequency you need to mow. Sod types such as centipede and zoysia can be kept two inches in height and require less frequent mowing than sod types like bermuda, according to Clemson University. In addition, gardeners can reduce their mowing by moderating how much fertilizer they apply to the lawn, according to Clemson University.

    Foot Traffic

    • Certain sod types do not tolerate foot traffic. If you want a lawn that you can use for sports or pets, pick sod types such as bermuda, zoysia, tall fescue, St. Augustine and bahia, according to Clemson University. Stay away from sod varieties like centipede or Kentucky bluegrass. These types of sod will need repair if they are installed near a garden area that is frequently used or next to doors in the home.