Frequently asked questions
How many square feet of sod come on a pallet?
600 square feet
How much does each roll weigh?
Weight varies with moisture content; if it rained recently, the sod will be heavier. On average, rolls weigh about 35 lbs. and a pallet weighs about 2,000 lbs.
How far in advance do I need to place an order?
Delivery orders generally need about 2 days, although it is possible to receive sod the same or next day. Pick-up orders should be placed the day before. Last minute sod pick-ups may be available, but please call before heading to the farm!
How long does it take to grow a crop of sod?
It takes an average of 14 to 24 months from seeding to harvesting in a given field, with Kentucky bluegrass crops typically requiring longer growing periods than a turf type tall fescue crop.
How soon must I lay the sod after receiving it?
Sod should be installed immediately. In the summer, sod should be installed and watered as soon as possible. In cooler times of year, sod’s longevity after harvesting is increased, but it is always a good practice to install sod upon delivery. We do not guarantee sod that is installed more than 24 hours after its receipt.
What is certified seed?
All of our sod crops are grown from certified seed. Certified seed is purchased from growers who submit their seed crops to the Maryland Department of Agriculture for testing. Certified seed is analyzed for varieties present, inert matter, and weed seed. The certified seed varieties that Lavery’s uses are recommended for our region based on growth trials that demonstrate success in our location in the transition zone (geographic area delineated by geography and climate).
How much do I have to water my new sod?
See Irrigation page.
Is there a better time of day to water my new sod?
See Irrigation page.
Do you have to replace the topsoil in your sod fields each year?
No. We are fortunate that the fields where we cultivate turf are all river bottoms, with several inches (sometimes feet) of topsoil present, and growing and harvesting sod should not deplete the topsoil present in any given field. A smaller amount of topsoil leaves the farm with the sod than it appears. The root pad (bottom portion of the sod piece including the roots and soil) is made up largely of the plants’ roots. The root pad may appear to be mostly soil, but depending on the time of year, roots make up 70 to 90% of the root pad. In addition, when sod is harvested, the portion of the roots that is left in the field decays and adds organic matter to the topsoil matrix.
What kind of sod do you recommend for my yard?
See Products & Varieties page.
How high (or low) should I mow my yard?
See Mowing page.
When can I mow newly installed sod?
See Mowing page.
How can I get one of your “We Roll Quality Grass” T-shirts?
Call the office to inquire about T-shirts. We try to keep T-shirts in stock, so please call for prices and availability.
When is the best time to install sod?
In our part of the world, fall is the best time to install a cool season grass such as fescue or bluegrass. Fall is a good time for several reasons. 1.) The temperature is usually cooling down, so the sod experiences less transplant shock due to heat. 2.) Cool season turf is undergoing extensive root growth at this time to store carbohydrates for the plant in preparation for winter, so sod will typically root quickly in the fall. 3.) We usually receive nice amounts of precipitation in the fall, alleviating some of the watering pressure after installation.
Spring and winter are also good times to install sod. Spring temperatures are usually moderate, and spring showers are great for sod. It is nice to install sod in the spring before the heat of the summer, but just be aware that if the summer gets dry (as it has the last few years) you will need to water your lawn even after it has gotten established to keep it healthy. Winter is a good time to install sod since there are no stresses on the sod due to heat and we usually receive precipitation throughout the season. The sod will root more slowly in the winter, but it should be well established by spring.
Summer is the hardest time to install sod. We do harvest and install sod throughout the summer, but the end-user needs to be aware of the challenges of summer-time installations. Heat is deadly to turf. The sod has already gone through the shock of losing the deep roots that remain in the field. The roots in the rootpad must have access to water to supply the plant as it photosynthesizes and respires. Watering is critical to maintain a source of water to the plant, and to help alleviate the effects of high temperatures.
It is important to have a reliable water source when you install sod in the summer. We recommend testing ALL irrigation before installing sod (in-ground systems as well as hoses/sprinklers). We have seen too many customers find out AFTER installation that their irrigation system has a problem, or their water pressure is not sufficient to run multiple sprinklers, and the headache of rectifying this problem and/or the heartache of losing sod to the heat is a frustrating one.
How can I kill wiregrass?
See Pre-Install section of Install Tips.