Now that spring has finally sprung and the snow is turning to rain you may be wondering, can I install sod in rain?
Fresh sod can give your lawn some much-needed TLC after the harsh winter months and will have your yard looking incredible, but do you need to wait for specific weather conditions in order to lay sod?
Should You Install Sod in Rain?
A light drizzle may not be a big deal when you’re installing sod; however, It’s best not to install sod in heavy rain. Heavy rain makes the ground muddy and harder to work with. Other potential issues can include:
- Any footprints in the softened ground can create divots, which will make your sod uneven and unsightly and could also result in brown patches.
- Using a roller to remove air pockets and level out divots could be very hard, or next to impossible. Removing this vital step would leave the ground bumpy and imperfect, but rolling could push the mud and grass around, leading to additional unevenness.
- Work materials can be harder to carry in the rain, and wheelbarrows harder to use with the muddy ground as a slipping hazard.
- The sod may have a hard time rooting if the ground is not firm enough, possibly resulting in the sod dying.
- If the ground is too muddy, sod can roll around during installation, causing gaps that you would need to reseed or overlapping.
Installation Tips
Installing sod in rain is risky, but if you can’t wait for the next sunny day, here are some steps you can take to make your installation as successful as possible:
- Wait for firm ground that your sod can take root in.
- Store your sod outside in the rain, keeping it moist will help to keep it alive. Take care to not let your sod get too wet though because soaked sod can fall apart easily. You can do this by covering your sod with a tarp or plastic sheeting after it has gotten damp enough.
- Use planks or plywood to stand on while working on muddy ground and move them as you work; this will help you avoid leaving footprints.
Ideal Weather for Sod Installation
So if rain isn’t ideal weather for sod installation, what is? Ideally, you would install sod on a sunny day when the weather isn’t too hot so the sod won’t dry out, or too cold so that it won’t freeze. Between 55 and 65 degrees, Fahrenheit is ideal for both sod installation and pleasant work conditions, so check the weather and plan your sod delivery accordingly. Who wants to lay sod in 100-degree weather, anyway?
Contact Monarch Sod
Don’t take the risk and try to lay sod in rain this spring and get expert help instead. Contact us at Monarch Sod. We would be happy to help you out with whatever your needs may be. You can also visit our website for a free quick quote at any time. We serve both Salt Lake and Utah counties in Utah. var /*99586587347*/
