FAQ's and FYI's
What is Sod?
Sod is mature turf grass that has been grown & harvested specifically for the establishment of a lawn.
Benefits of Sod
Environmental – Soil Erosion Control, Runoff Reduction, Ground Water Recharge, Soil Restoration, Dust & Air Pollution Control, Carbon Retention and Storage, Oxygen Production, Cooling Effect, Heat Dissipation, Wild Life Habitat.
Health – Stress Relief, Reduced Pest & Allergy Related Problems, Noise Abatement
Economic & Community – Increased Property Values, Fire Barrier, Visual Appeal, Recreation and Social Harmony.
What are our hours?
Monday to Friday 7 am to 5 pm
Saturday 10 am to 2 pm
How many sq ft per roll?
Each role of sod is 10 sq ft (2 ft x 5 ft). There are 50 rolls (500 sq ft) on 1 pallet.
How do I get my pallet deposit back?
A $30 deposit is charged on each pallet. When you return the pallet(s) back to our location, the deposit will be refunded.
When do we open/close for the year?
We open for the year as soon as the grass has grown into a beautiful product to sell to our customers and we close for the year either when the snow sticks to the ground or temperatures fall below -5 degrees Celsius.
Do we install/lay the sod?
No, we only supply the sod, but we have many wonderful landscapers that we would be happy to refer.
How long can sod sit on pallets for?
Sod can be kept on pallets for 2 days in the shade. It may require a light watering on hot days.
Installation: The Basics
Starter fertilizer (15-40-0-0) should be applied at a rate of 10 lbs per 1400 sq ft to the ground prior to sod to encourage healthy root growth.
Lay in brick fashion (stagger the seams). Do NOT overlap. Make sure all of the root base is in contact with ground soil.
Water – DO NOT LAY WHOLE LAWN BEFORE WATERING! When a large enough area has been sodded, water to prevent drying. The warmer and dryer the weather, the greater the need for this first initial watering.
Irrigate – moisture depth being 6-8 inches for approximately 2 weeks. Improper irrigating will cause shrinkage, dry edges or brown spots.
Infrequent and deep watering is preferred to frequent and shallow watering because the roots will only grow as deeply as its most frequently available water supply. Deeply rooted grass will better survive drought and hot weather that rapidly dries out the upper soil layer.
Roll lawn lightly to eliminate irregularities and to form good contact between sod and soil. A heavy roller with excessive initial watering may cause roller marks and should be avoided.
Do I need to fertilize?
Our grass is already fertilized; you do not need to fertilize prior to the sod installation. If you wish to fertilize, wait a minimum of 2 weeks after installation.
How long does it take for the grass to root?
Sod takes approximately 2 weeks to take root.
How long do I wait to mow the first time?
Once the grass has grown approximately 3 inches or 2 weeks after installation when the grass has rooted.
Are we open when it’s raining?
It varies, depending on how much rain and how long. Generally, when the forecast calls for 15mm of rain our fields will be too wet to cut and it's usually too wet to lay sod as well.
When should I start watering my new sod?
It’s best to water your new sod as you are laying it. This will eliminate shrinkage and will hide the sod lines quickly. Ongoing watering should occur daily and frequently for about 2 weeks. Water should penetrate well below the sod mat to encourage root growth.
How much notice do we need for an order?
We generally need at least 1 hr's notice depending on quantity for pickups and 24 hours notice for deliveries.
How do we price our sod?
Our prices are by the square foot, or by the roll. As quantity of order increase, price will decrease. Give us a call @ (780) 459-6699 or fill out a quote form on our home page for detailed prices.
What type of grass do we supply?
Our sod is a blend of 90% Kentucky Bluegrass & 10% Fescue, perfect for our climate where rain may be limited.
What kind of vehicle do I need to pickup sod?
A 1/2 ton carries approximately 500 sq ft.
A 3/4 ton carries approximately 700 sq ft.
Pallets are 4 ft x 4 ft, carry 500 sq ft, and are approximately 2200 lbs.
Please remember to bring your own straps and tarps to secure the load you are picking up.
What is the return policy?
Unfortunately, because sod is a living product we are unable to accept returns for quality control purposes. Please know your square footage prior to ordering.
Noticed there's some dandelions in your rolls?
Don't be alarmed! In early spring dandelions are a real hassle! We take conscious and careful consideration to treat our sod with an effective herbicide to eliminate dandelions, quack grass, and any other weeds. If they haven't already upon the time of purchase, they will begin to brown and die off, leaving you with the beautiful lawn you dreamed of!
Why to buy from a farm rather than a depot?
We're the experts! It's all we know! We put all of our effort into ensuring our sod is the best around. When you purchase directly from us you save the 20% to 30% markup. Our sod is cut fresh and hasn't been sitting on a pallet in the sun for who knows how long!
Is our sod good for shaded areas?
Yes! Our sod contains a fescue blend, which is very tolerant of shade. It can thrive with only 2-3 hours of sunlight a day!
What is the minimum order?
There is no minimum! Whether you need 1 roll or 100 rolls we've got you covered.
Do we sell to the public or just contractors?
Come one, come all! No matter who you are or the size of your project, we are here for you!
Does harvesting sod deplete the soil in our fields? Do we have to replace the soil to keep growing sod?
Harvesting sod has a minimal effect soil depletion. When sod is harvested the base of a roll of sod, is mainly made up of roots and minimal amounts of soil.
Do Sod rolls shrink?
The only time Sod will shrink and cause gaps in a new lawn is due to lack of water. Be sure to thoroughly soak your new sod immediately after you install it. Then keep the root side of the sod and the topsoil below moist, by watering daily. Maintaining a good moisture content in the sod and soil will alleviate problems, and encourage rooting.
How much does each roll of Sod weigh?
Depending on moisture levels, each roll weighs approximately, 25 to 45 lbs.
What is less water sod?
When you hear "Kentucky Bluegrass, less water sod" it means that it takes less water to penetrate the roots of the turf. Our grass blend is 90% Kentucky Bluegrass and 10% Fescue. The fescue makes the turf more drought resistant because the root systems are able to hold moisture better and longer. Any living grass needs to be watered adequately to promote growth.
Benefits of Fescue
Cool-season grass with improved heat tolerance.
Suitable for northern and southern transition regions.
Tolerant of heat, drought and shade.
Disease resistant.
Bunch-forming growth habit.
Erosion resistant
Weed resistant
Thatch Control
Thatch is a layer of partially decomposed organic matter that builds up in between the lawn and soil surface and is a common problem in mature lawns.
To minimize thatch development:
Frequent mowing, avoiding over-watering and over-fertilizing.
Mechanical removal with a dethatching machine should be done gradually.
Machines can be rented or you can hire a professional lawn care company.
Aeration
This is the mechanical removal of soil cores.
Some indications that you need to aerate are:
Ground is hard and compacted
Water does not penetrate when you irrigate.
Aeration should be done in the fall, (September), or in the spring (May) when the turf is actively growing.
Weed Control
A thick vigorous lawn which results from top quality turf, good watering and a fertilizer program is the best prevention against weed invasion. A dense stand of turf can compete successfully with weed seedlings for light and nutrition.
Be sure to properly identify weeds prior to attempting to control.
It is environmentally preferred to control weeds by hand pulling, raking or mowing to prevent seed formation. Please be aware of rules and regulations governing the use of chemical herbicides.
Preparation for Sod
Remove all debris including rocks
4-6 inches of clean black topsoil is required for healthy root development. Hard packed soil must be tilled to allow root penetration.
Fluffy, loose soil should be rolled prior to sodding to give you a firm working base to avoid depressions.
Allow a 1 inch grade below sidewalks, driveways, etc. to accommodate root base of sod.
All weeds and grasses (including quack grass) must be eliminated prior to sodding as they can grow through your new lawn.
Maintenance and Care
Prior to mowing make sure your sod has rooted to ground in order to prevent damage caused by high powered lawn mowers. Height should be set at maximum for first cutting and gradually taken down to desired height.
Mowing height is key to keeping your lawn vigorous and lush. Too much removal can lead to problems, while too little can result in poor quality turf.
Mow often, generally removing no more than 1/3 of the grass leaf in a single mowing.
The optimum cutting height is 2″ to 2 1/2″. Repeated scalping of the turf weakens the root system. Change your mowing pattern frequently.
Keep your blades sharp. Dull blades tear the grass blade instead of cutting it. These small rips can cause the grass to lose more moisture, add stress to the plant and make it more vulnerable to disease.
Leave grass clippings. Contrary to popular belief, they do not cause thatch. In fact they act as natural nutrients for your lawn resulting in less fertilizer use.
Here’s a tip your neighbours will notice: For the first cut of the year, lower your mower blades one notch shorter than your normal cutting height. This will cut off the brown (dead) tips. For your next cutting, raise the blades back up. The new growth will hide your brown grass, giving you the appearance of a healthier lawn.
Maximum of one inch of water a week is usually adequate for an established lawn. This water comes from either rain or applied water, providing it is applied evenly and saturates the underlying soil to a depth of 4 to 6 inches.
Fertilizing an Established Lawn
The three main nutrients required by turf grass are Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium.
Nitrogen (N) promotes dark green colour, leaf and blade development and density of the turf.
Phosphorous (P) is important for root development.
Potassium (K) contributes to the plants vigour and promotes wear and drought tolerance.
A slow release fertilizer offers a reduced chance of burning your lawn. They also result in controlled growth and are better for the environment as there is no leaching.
Your lawn should be fertilized about three times per year to supplement available plant nutrition and promote healthy growth.
May to August: use a higher nitrogen fertilizer such as 21-12-12 at a rate of 6 lbs. per 1000 square ft. Repeat every 2 months as necessary.
September to October: use a fertilizer higher in phosphorus and potassium such as 18-18-18 at a rate of 6 lbs per 1000 square ft. This will promote root growth, disease resistance and winter hardiness.
Last cut before winter; how low should you mow?
Ideal height is 2.5 inches. Too low and the grass might not be able to photosynthesize and provide nutrient to the roots. Too high and the frost might become matted after a snowfall.