What Does Sodding Mean?
“Sodding” refers to laying down rolls of grass onto soil for it to take root. “Sod” refers to the actual rolls of grass. Homeowners in Ontario often opting for sodding because they can skip the cultivation period that seeding requires. As the winters in Ontario run long and harsh, temperature drops in the fall can cut your time with your lawn short. Sodding can help you maximize the time you get in a year with a lush green lawn.
Contrary to popular belief, you can install sod in Ontario between April and early November, depending on temperatures. As most people like to install new sod in the springtime, professional lawn care companies tend to book quickly into the spring.
JHC Landscaping has been providing top-rated sodding services in the GTA for over 15 years. Contact us today for your free consultation, or read on to learn more about sodding and what we can do for you!
Sodding vs Seeding
Sodding differs from seeding in that farmers grow the grass beforehand, and therefore the root structure develops in advance. While seeding can be cheaper, it is far more difficult to maintain and is far more volatile of a process. Not all seeds will take to your lawn, you run the risk of bald spots, and you have to wait until the grass grows to enjoy the aesthetic of a green lawn. “Watching the grass grow” is a saying for good reason, the process is long and boring! On the other hand, sod grows on a farm and then delivered to you for installation. For tips on new sod care you can read our article here.
It is worth noting that farmers only grow specific kinds of grass for this landscaping strategy, so ask your landscaping contractor which kind is best for you. You can contact us today and we will be happy to answer any of your questions! As a top-rated contracting team in the GTA we have spent years informing our satisfied clients about our work, so do not hesitate to give us a call.
How Sod Farms Work
Sod farmers grow acres of grass that they harvest and roll to prepare them for sale. It is very important that the land is flat to make the process easier. Farmers also ensure that they remove any rocks or other debris from the soil to create a better growing environment. Once they plant the seeds it is just a matter of watering the turf and making sure it stays generally healthy, much like any other farm. Specialized equipment and powerful irrigation systems have improved sodding growth immensely in recent history, bringing us the green lawns that we are so used to today.
FAQs
There are many reasons to consider sod for your landscaping. One of the most common reasons homeowners choose sod is the quick installation process. In just a few hours you can transform your lawn into an instant oasis, unlike grass seed which can take weeks and can result in empty spots.
Autumn is an ideal time to install sod. During this season, there are cooler temperatures paired with higher chances of precipitation. These weather conditions in southern Ontario make it ideal for new sod to take root.
In Toronto, you cannot install sod during the winter if the ground is frozen. The most ideal time is during autumn, before the ground freezes. Grass goes dormant in the winter, but sod roots continue to grow, ready for the spring thaw. It is important to prepare your soil with the right nutrients and growing conditions to ensure good results.
Hiring a Toronto Sodding Company
While some people believe that there is a time of the year in which your sod is guaranteed to take. This is not the case, rather the methods that you use are the most important part. Lawn sodding companies in the GTA emphasize the importance of ground preparation before sodding in turning your sod into a healthy lawn, and an experienced landscape contractor will know how to properly prepare the ground for each season. If you want to avoid damage caused by the unpredictable weather, we always recommend hiring professionals to prepare and install your sod. You can learn about the advantages that sod companies provide here.
RELATED ARTICLE: Lawn Watering and Irrigation Tips
The Installation Process
Sodding is not very complicated, but it is always helpful to learn the process so that you know what your contractor is doing. Just like a basement renovation or a window installation, you can do it yourself but you miss the experienced view of a professional. Hiring a Toronto sodding contractor like JHC Landscaping means you can avoid the common pitfalls of lawn care that can be costly to fix. You can learn more about how to lay sod here.
Lawn assessment
We start the sodding process with a lawn assessment. This will define the scope of the project including size, soil conditions and environment. The lawn assessment is an opportunity to review your lawn goals and create a plan that brings your vision to life.
Preparing the lawn
Next, we prepare your lawn for sod installation. This includes removing your existing lawn, removing weeds and tilling the soil. We also take care of disposing of old lawn debris before installation begins. This will allow our team to prepare your soil so that your new sod will adapt and flourish on your lawn.
Leveling and topsoil
Before we install the new sod, we rake and level the soil. This is necessary to ensure proper drainage and to loosen the soil to avoid any issue for the new sod to take root. Once the new topsoil is added, we ensure the lawn is leveled and ready for installation.
Sod installation
Once the ground is prepped and leveled, we proceed with rolling out the new sod. Sod is laid across the area, in carefully measured strips. We ensure gaps or curves are covered by making custom strips of sod for smaller or unique landscape designs. Try to avoid walking on the newly laid sod right away and wait at least two weeks.
Watering and care
After the sod is installed, we will ensure it is watered so that it begins to take root. Ideally it should be watered two to three times daily during the first week. Afterwards, you can reduce the amount of time your new lawn needs to be watered. Read our blog to find out the best watering tips for your new lawn.
Fertilizing Your Sod
After your sodding, you need to take care of it to make sure your lawn grows green and strong. You have to make sure you give your sod some time to settle in and plant roots before you fertilize it, and that you choose a low-nitrogen fertilizer at first. The recommended minimum wait time is 6-8 weeks, with a thorough watering once you finish fertilizing. Remember to wait another 6-8 weeks before the second application, and this time around you actually want a higher concentration of nitrogen this time around. In preparation for your sodding make sure you read our article to learn more about fertilizing and care.
RELATED ARTICLE: Tips for New Sod Care
Contact JHC Landscaping Today
JHC Landscaping is dedicated to the quality of your property. We offer landscaping, sodding services and more all across the GTA, including North York, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, and Thornhill. We are always ready to assist with landscaping jobs large and small.
Our team is well equipped to undertake jobs of both commercial and residential scale, so give us a call for a free estimate and watch our mobile task-force take care of your needs. We look forward to working with you!
Sodding (New Lawn Installation) Services in GTA & York Region – Houses, Apartments, Commercial Buildings and Offices
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