When is the best time of year to lay down sod?

Question

i live in a northern climate (michigan). im thinking about getting rid of my old grass and putting sod in my front yard. when is the best time of year to do this? early spring (march-april) or fall (sept-october)?

Answer 1

Spring and Fall both have their up and down side. But these are the best time to do it.

Do  not do it during the summer otherwise you will have to water a lot until the roots are established.

In the fall watering is much less and the roots have all winter to establish and so by the following summer it will be hardy. However, it will brown during the winter so you don't get to really enjoy it until the following spring. In the Spring you have to water it more than the Fall but you get to enjoy its first season more. So probably for that reason alone I would go with the Spring.  

Answer 2

You are right.  Early spring or early fall is a good time.  Grass grows best when the weather is cool.  If you plant in the fall, plant early enough so the grass gets good rooting before winter arrives.  If you plant in the spring, plant early enough so the grass gets good rooting before it gets hot.

One other suggestion I would make from personal experience.  If I were you, I would recommend planting grass seed instead of laying down sod.  Sod may look better at the beginning, but in the long run grass that is planted from seed seems to stand the heat better, has less weeds, etc.  Several years ago I had a house built in a subdivision and the front yards were sodded and the back yards of most of the houses in the subdivision were seeded.  Most of the yards that were seeded look way better than the front yards and make it through the hot weather much better.  I'd recommend Scotts grass seed.  It seemed to work the best.  Not only is seed cheaper, but it seems to do better.

Answer 3

MG early spring will be your best time to lay sod.  If you do not get adequate rainfall in the spring, you will be able to water with sprinkler to get it started.

Good Luck  

Answer 4

generally (in England at least) autumn is the best time to lay down sod if the ground is fairly level - then you can lay them onto aerated soil (soil that's has lots of holes (with a fork) ) ... this gives the little grass plants time to settle in and weather for the following year .... otherwise it's preferable to dig into your present grass and turn the clumps you dig over (so the soil and roots are facing upwards) in the autumn and then dig  over and level the ground again in the spring (when the frosts have finished) then lay the sods ... the ground will be open and damp enough to give the grass time to easily set and give a good lawn, give plenty of water and feed well while the grass is setting .......