Frequently Asked Questions

1. How many square feet are on a pallet?
2. How big are the pieces, and how many are there per pallet?
3. After I get the sod, how soon should I lay it?
4. Once I lay the sod, how hard is it to keep it maintained?
5. How much water does my St. Augustine sod need?
6. What is the best time of day to water?
7. How often and low do I need to mow?
8. What do I need to know about fertilizing and soil needs?

1. Answer: There are 500 square feet per pallet.
    
2. Answer: The pieces are 16 x 24 (2.67 square feet each), and there are 188 pieces per pallet.
    
3. Answer: Always lay your sod within 24 hours of pick-up or delivery.
    
4. Answer: Taking good care of your lawn often requires no more work overall than taking poor care of it. A lawn that is properly mowed, fertilized, and watered has fewer problems with weeds, diseases, and insects.
    
5. Answer: Newly-planted sod should be watered daily and soaked thoroughly to a depth of three inches for the first 10 to 14 days to avoid dry-out. After this time period, water as needed to the full depth of the root zone to prevent visual wilt. Apply 0.5 to 1 inch of water as a deep soaking every three to six days to encourage a healthy root system during dry or hot periods. Avoid frequent, shallow watering as this will only lead to shallow roots, which permits weed germination and growth.
    
6. Answer: Water your lawn early in the morning to mid-day for best results. Never water at night because this only brings an unwanted visit from pests and fungus.
    
7. Answer: The optimum mowing height is 2-3 inches for a high quality lawn. If you mow too low, the weeds are likely to gain a foothold. Mow regularly with a sharp rotary or reel mower, allowing clippings from frequent mowing to remain on the lawn. Never remove more than 1/3 of the shoot growth at one mowing. A mild vertical cutting may be needed during the warmer months on a vigorous turf that has received high nitrogen fertilization.
    
8. Answer: Fertilize twice a year, spring and fall, with a complete fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium. You may also apply two to three summer applications of nitrogen fertilizer, using 1 lb. nitrogen per 1,000 square feet Apply nitrogen at 2 to 6 lbs. per 1,000 square feet per year. If the rate of nitrogen fertilization is too high, it can increase thatch buildup, encourage chinch bugs, and brown patch damage.
    

*All information is based on average/normal conditions; individual sites and situations may differ. Therefore, contact your county extension office if more detailed information is needed on specific maintenance questions.