The Temperature for Sod to Be Laid

Cool Season Sod

• Cool season sod types such as bentgrasses, bluegrasses, fescues and ryegrasses perform at their best when temperatures are between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Sodding cool season grass when temperatures benefit growth helps ensure a successful lawn establishment. However, gardeners may sod their cool season yards in the winter even when temperatures are chilly. Install cool season sod types such as Kentucky bluegrass anytime between January through June or December through July, as suggested by the University of Tennessee.

Warm Season Sod

• Warm season sod types such as buffalo, bahia, Bermuda, St. Augustine and centipede may be sodded anytime that the ground isn't frozen. However, their optimal growing temperatures are between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Gardeners run the risk of winter injury if they plant their warm season sod right before temperatures freeze in the winter. Sod needs at least four weeks to establish a strong root system before it can survive winter conditions.

Installing in the Summer

• Summertime temperatures make keeping the soil moist for root development difficult. Also, sod must be kept moist during the installation process. Dried out sod will not grow. Because the heat evaporates soil moisture quickly, sod your lawn in the morning during the summer. Water the soil and moisten each piece of sod when laying. Keep the sod moist for three to four days, then reduce your watering schedule. Avoid saturating your sod because it raises the risk for disease.

Winter Sodding

• Certain regions in the southern parts of the United States may experience temperatures moderate enough for winter sodding. Dormant sod is typically used when establishing lawns. This sod type remains dormant until the early spring. Dry winter winds present a problem to people using dormant sod. Cold winds dry out grass and cause injury. Furthermore, it is difficult to water dormant sod when there are threats of frosts and freezes. Use dormant sod during a period of mild winter weather.