Jump to Sod

Q: How can I protect my xeriscape plants with fall and winter coming on?
A: Mulch, mulch, mulch. You might even want to put down some newspaper, then pile the mulch on top of that until it's completely covered. 2-4" of hardwood mulch can go a long way towards conserving water and protecting sensitive plants from cold weather.

Q: What about perennials that get killed off during the winter?
A: Chances are they're not really dead. Something like turk's cap may look dead after a frost, but all you need to do in the spring is cut it back to stubble. Every time you cut back a perennial like that after a frost, it will come back even thicker and more robust in the spring.

Q: Can I plant in the fall?
A: Absolutely! The cooler air and warmer soil temperatures help transplants do well in the fall. Just check carefully beforehand as to what plants will do well for your climate and soil type, and remember to water them in well after planting to get them established.

Q: What are some good choices for flowering perennials?
A: Sage, coreopsis, iris, firebush and various salvias all do well as flowering perennials, and are all well-suited for fall planting.

Q: My soil doesn't drain well. What can I do as far as xeriscape?
A: It's not at all unusual for Central Texas soils to be heavy, clumpy and poorly drained. Work the soil well with a roto-tiller and lighten it with ordinary sand for better drainage.

Q: Can I work in xeriscaping with other landscape ideas?
A: Absolutely! Grasses, ground covers, flowering perennials and succulents all look great as part of an entire landscaping design (along with rock gardens, goldfish ponds, timbers, etc). Use your imagination!

Q: Are grasses a good choice?
A: They sure are. Monkey grass, purple fountain grass, blue gama grass and pampas grass all do great in Central Texas, and are good choices for fall planting as well.

Q: When should I water?
A: The same advice for watering applies in the fall as well as the summer. Water late in the day, close to sunset; otherwise, your plants' water will just evaporate during the hottest part of the day.

What is sod?

Sod is mature lawn that has been professionally cultivated; cut into thick squares or rolled with the underlying soil and roots, and transported to a nursery or job site to be laid down for an "instant new lawn." Once sod has been cut it is best to plant it within 24 hours. If working with a distributor you can order the sod ahead of time to be delivered on a certain day. If buying from a nursery make sure the pallets are not yellowed and that the sod looks moist and fresh. It will wilt and die quickly in hot weather, but will last a little longer in cool climates. If you cannot plant the sod immediately store the pallets in shade and keep them moist.

This helps to eliminate air pockets that will later settle and leave your lawn uneven. It may be necessary to roll the area before planting or adding soil. We recommend that you add enriched soil to level your yard when necessary.

How do I lay sod?

Lay the first line of sod along a straight line such as a driveway, sidewalk or string stretched between two stakes. Then stagger the sod pieces in the adjacent rows in a "brickwork" fashion. Since sod pieces may shrink after installation, push the sod pieces together tightly. Use a machete to cut around trees and flowerbeds.

How much water will the sod need?

Saturate the sod immediately after installation, wetting the soil under the sod to a 4" depth. Examine the soil under several pieces to insure proper watering. You will need to water daily for two weeks. You will notice that different areas will have different watering needs. After the sod is well rooted, irrigate deeply and infrequently to prevent drought damage.

When should I mow?

Begin mowing the sod as soon as it is rooted. This is usually three weeks to a month. Do not water before you mow, this will keep from creating ruts in your yard. We recommend that you water soon after mowing.

When do I fertilize new sod?

It will not be necessary to fertilize for 4 to 6 weeks. During production of new sod it is fertilized heavily. During the establishment time the water will leach out certain nutrients that may need to be replenished by fertilization.