Is it too hot to lay sod?

CAROL H
by CAROL H
Should I wait until fall for it to cool down to lay Zenith Zoysia sod?
  9 answers
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Jul 14, 2012
    Early summer is the ideal time to lay Zoysia. It likes warm soil. If you can ensure that the sod you're getting has been well cared for, and that you can provide adequate (which is to say a lot) of water after it's down, I think you would be OK. My Zoysia was laid in July in Florida, and it came through fine.
  • CAROL H CAROL H on Jul 14, 2012
    What variety of Zoysia did you choose. I'm not sure if I want to go with Emerald or Zenith. It's in full sun all day.
  • 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) on Jul 14, 2012
    You can put it down now as long as you can give it adequate water.Also I highly recommend putting down a nice thick layer of good soil before you start. Is this a new home or are you redoing your landscape: How much are you putting down What was the deciding factor for using Zenith? You can use either one in the sun. I personally prefer the finer texture of the Emerald over the Zenith. Super Sod (who holds the patent on Zenith) will tell you that Emerald will give you a problem with thatch, but I have not found this to be true. Pricing will probably be about the same either way.
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Jul 15, 2012
    I have Empire. It was the only one available at the time.
  • 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) on Jul 15, 2012
    Douglas I just recently began selling Empire. What do you think of it? How is it performing for you? Do you have a picture?
  • Jeanette S Jeanette S on Jul 15, 2012
    I have had Emerald for about 15 years and it is absolutely fantastic! One of the best decisions we ever made. Zoysia greens later than other grasses but it is stunning. We love it because it LOVES hot weather. We have put it down as late as September. But make sure you get the kind that has deep roots and some soil with it. Some growers cut it very shallow and it does not always thrive. Keep in mind that I do not like my Zoysia mowed at all!!!!!! I get upset every time it is mowed. It does not spike up so it never gets over 4" tall! We only mow about 4-5 times a year! EMERALD is worth the money. We killed off the grass with roundup, resprayed a week later and then 10 days later raked off the dead grass, laid down a thin layer of top soil and laid the sod! Doing it ourselves, we took about 3 years to complete the job! Price and the hard labor were factors! Water every night! Good luck! (It is really shaggy now...we did not mow for weeks in the 106 temps and now rain for the past 4 days! wow!)
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Jul 15, 2012
    4S, as I matter of fact I do have a photo. This was taken right after the sod was put in two years ago I need to take a new one as things have really grown since then! I had some problems with the Zoysia earlier this year, when I think it was not getting enough water, but it has rebounded nicely. I'm old-fashioned and have always thought grass should feel good under your bare feet, and in Florida, Zoysia is about the only way to get that.
  • CAROL H CAROL H on Jul 16, 2012
    OK. I have made my decision, Jeanette helped me out. I'm going with Emerald. I will start killing the weeds and removing the dead grass, wait about two weeks and then add some compost. We will be doing it ourselves as well. It's not that large of an area. I'll post pictures when it comes to fruition.
  • 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) on Jul 17, 2012
    Good choice Carol! Yes please do post updates on your soon to be beautiful lawn.