When Can I Install a Sod Lawn?
There is no need to wait for the “right” season to put in your lawn. You can install a sod lawn anytime during the year when the ground can be tilled…in other words, when the ground is not frozen. Luckily for us, sod can be installed year-round in New Mexico, as there are only a few times during winter when it’s cold enough that the ground may freeze here.
A great deal of sod is installed during its dormant stage. The single most important step in guaranteeing its survival is to make sure it gets watered upon installation. Never let newly installed sod dry out, especially in the winter. A dry freeze is very damaging. Moisture protects in cold temperatures.
Can Sod Withstand Heavy Use?
Certainly! Sod establishes itself quickly and in a matter of a couple of weeks, it is ready for full use. It creates the perfect surface for lawn games and family outdoor living. With today’s various blends of hardy grasses, sod is chosen for parks, golf courses, athletic fields, as well as residential homes and business parks.
Is Sod a Good Investment?
Yes! It’s the only way to go from bare soil to a lush, green lawn in just hours. Yet, it’s relatively inexpensive to use. In the few hours it takes to install your sod lawn, your property value increases significantly and even more in aesthetic value.
Children and pets prefer sod over any other ground cover material! YOU’LL enjoy it more too!
How Does Sod Affect Our Environment?
With today’s ecological concerns, many people are considering sod for its environmental benefits.
Sod cools and cleans the atmosphere by reflecting the sun’s heat and absorbing noises, carbon dioxide, and other harmful pollutants. It releases valuable oxygen and moisture into the air we breathe. Sod also reduces the temperature around your home in warmer months, helping reduce the amount of air conditioning necessary, and in the winter, sod acts as insulation, keeping warmth near the home.
Where Can I Use Sod?
Sod can be installed practically anywhere, even where seeding is impossible or too costly. Sod is often used to stop soil erosion and water pollution on slopes where rain would wash away both seed and soil. Sod is used in parks, playgrounds, athletic fields, office complexes, homes, and many other places. Sod is available from our farm in a variety of grass blends to suit various needs such as climate, usage, sun, and shade conditions.
Is a Sod Lawn Less Work?
Yes, a sod lawn needs no special care because it is a healthy mature lawn when installed, whereas a sprigged or seeded lawn requires months, even years, of nurturing to reach maturity.
Sod is grown, under expert supervision, from either top-quality seed blends or certified hybrid sprigs. After it has been installed, just water, mow and fertilize your sod lawn, as needed, and it will remain a healthy, green carpet of grass, requiring very little maintenance for years to come!
How is Sod Related to Our Lifestyle?
Today we expect more and more convenience, efficiency, and quality in our products. Buildings are being built almost overnight and attractive landscaping is installed within hours.
Why wait 1-2 years for a seeded lawn to struggle to maturity? Our high-quality sod can be conveniently installed in hours, at a surprisingly low cost.
Many families tell us that they tend to spend more time outdoors when they have some areas of sod lawn. Pets and children prefer sod over any other ground covering available!
What’s The Best Time of Day to Water?
Early morning water applications, between 6-8am, are best in warmer months. Cooler morning temperatures and less wind provide for less evaporation and less distorted sprinkler patterns. In the winter, water one time every 2 weeks AFTER sod is established, in a warmer time of day (noon or 1pm).
Night watering is NEVER recommended, as it can promote disease development in your turf grass.
What Can I Do to Grow Sod in Shady Areas?
Select the most appropriate sod for your conditions (if you are unsure, please call us at 505-832-4247.)
Turfgrass in shaded areas should be mowed at 1″ higher height than turfgrass growing in full sun to allow more grass blade surface to absorb sunlight.
Remember, when grown under a tree, your turfgrass is competing with the tree for water and nutrients, therefore higher fertilizer and watering rates may be necessary, but make sure to allow the area to dry between waterings, or you may cause fungus to occur. Also, your turf may benefit by thinning out tree limbs throughout the tree and allowing more sunlight to filter through the branches.
How Do I Order Sod?
- EARLY SPRING THRU EARLY FALL (March-ish to October-ish)
Between March and October, we are open on only Monday through Fridays WEATHER PERMITTING. Otherwise, special plans or delivery must be scheduled. Please plan accordingly.
We do not currently have a lot in Albuquerque, but we still answer the phone and cut sod (if the ground isn’t frozen) for customers for delivery or FARM pick-up. We are not open on Saturdays or Sundays.
- ORDERS FOR DELIVERY (ALL YEAR)
If ordering for delivery, please place your order a week ahead of time at 505-832-4247.
If you are in need of sod sooner than that, or would like to pick up, you may visit our farm and we will cut it fresh for you when you arrive. One pallet – 455 sqft – takes about 5-7 minutes to cut, so you won’t be waiting a long time. FARM LOCATION & HOURS
How Much Sod Can I Haul in My Half-Ton Pickup Truck?
Unless you have a truck from the 1960’s or older, “half-ton” does not accurately describe hauling capacity. Today’s half-ton pickups are capable of hauling more than 1000 pounds (1/2 ton). We have successfully loaded many half-ton trucks with one pallet (approximately 2000-2300 pounds depending on water weight). However, we do not recommend carrying MORE than 1 pallet in your half-ton truck.
IMPORTANT!
With this being said, we still HIGHLY recommend checking with your specific truck’s manufacturer (Chevrolet, Ford, GMC., etc.) or your owner’s manual for your truck’s exact hauling specifications.
Stonegate Turfgrass Ranch/Stonegate Turf & Hay takes no liability for damage to your vehicle.
When Is Sod Available for Pick-Up or Delivery?
- PICK UP AT THE MORIARTY FARM
Please call us first (in the mornings only 505-832-4247) to check weather conditions at the farm. They can be quite different than the weather in Albuquerque and other surrounding areas.
Sod is cut fresh for you when you arrive at the farm to pick it up. We never cut orders ahead of time for pick ups, as we don’t want to see our beautiful sod go to waste if someone decides to cancel an order. Cutting fresh does not take much time (about 5-7 minutes) to cut one pallet of sod (455 sq ft). You won’t have to wait very long to get the freshest cut sod available in the Southwest.
- DELIVERY
Fridays are our busiest delivery days (especially in Spring thru Fall), so we recommend that you call well in advance, if you wish to have your sod delivered on a Friday.
Currently, we are delivering our Bluegrass (hybrid) blend.
Delivery pricing is dependent upon location. Please call 505-832-4247 for delivery pricing.
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PAYING FOR YOUR ORDER
- Deliveries can be paid over the phone (505-832-4247) via credit card.
- Deliveries must be paid at least 24 hours before your scheduled delivery day.
- Receipts will be emailed to you, if you request one.
- If picking up (in Moriarty), you can call to get a final price, but pay when you arrive at the farm.