What is the Difference between Grasses and Weeds

April 13th, 2022

Here at Evergreen Turf, we get a lot of questions from people about home lawns and gardens. One question that is asked is, “What is the difference between grasses and weeds?”

Let’s look at an example of why this question gets asked. Let’s say you have a beautiful lawn that is comprised of St. Augustine sod. But then one day you see a few spots on your lawn where weeds are coming through. The species doesn’t look like the same type as the sod you use in your lawn, but it does look like grass. Upon further inspection, you determine that it’s bermudagrass.

You see, bermudagrass is a plant that, like St. Augustine sod, is commonly grown as turfgrass, but it also can be an invasive weed in certain situations. That’s why people ask what the difference is between grasses and weeds.

Related: Weed Control in St. Augustine Grass

The Primary Difference Between Weeds and Grass

The first thing you should know is that weeds are a general term for plants that grow in unwanted areas in a lawn or garden. This means that any plant you don’t want growing in your lawn or garden is a weed. Weeds come in different shapes and sizes, and many different types of plants including flowers and invasive grass species can be considered weeds.

There are two main categories of weeds—broadleaf weeds (dicots) and grassy weeds (monocots). Broadleaf weed examples are purslane, spurge, and dandelions. Grassy weed examples are crabgrass, goosegrass, and the hard to kill nutsedges.

On the other hand, grass is simply a category of plants. Scientists refer to them as belonging to the Poaceae family of plants. You can easily distinguish grass from other plants by their tender green stems compared to other plants that have woody stems that sprout out branches and from those branches, sprout out the leaves and flowers.

According to Britannica, “With more than 10,000 species, the grass family, Poaceae, is one of the largest families of flowering plants. Its members are monocotyledons and feature leaves with parallel veins; the flowers are usually wind-pollinated. Many grasses are cultivated as ornamental plants and for lawns, and several are staple cereal crops.” Check out their list of some of the major species in this family, which include Bermuda grass, Rye and others popularly used as grass for home lawns.

If you’re looking for grass for your home lawn, check out our varieties of sod that grow well in Arizona, including Midiron, Tifway 419, Tifgreen 328, TifGrand, Palmetto St. Augustine, and TifTuf. See a description of each one and order now on our website.

So now you know that grass is generally a specific plant from the plant kingdom and weeds are a general term for plants that grow where you don’t want them to grow.

Fun Facts About Grass

As we have mentioned, there are over 10,000 named species of grass. But did you know that they are also an important part of human life, primarily as a food source? You might be surprised to know that rice, wheat, and other grains are part of this family, as is bamboo.

Grass also cools the general surroundings safely and naturally and improves the air quality around your house. You should also know that a well-kept lawn generally increases the value of a home by upwards of 10%. If you plan to get more value out of your home, you should consider installing a sod lawn.

How to Prevent & Get Rid of Unwanted Weeds in Your Lawn and Garden

Weeds are a nuisance because they disrupt the general beauty and appeal of a well-curated lawn and garden. If not dealt with and removed properly, they can embed themselves firmly and eventually cause damage to your lawn or garden as they grow.

Your first defense against weeds in your sod grass is a healthy lawn. Fertility, irrigation, and consistent mowing are necessary for a thick dense lawn. Thick dense sod will keep weeds from ever getting started in your lawn. Any time your lawn becomes thin or stressed, the sod will begin to lose density and allow room for competition. Weed seeds are opportunistic, sitting idly by until given a little room and a little sunlight to allow them to start growing.

Weeds reproduce primarily from seed. Because most weeds are very prolific seed producers, there is usually an abundance of weed seed in any lawn just waiting for the right conditions to begin growing and competing with your lawn for space. Some weeds however, such as common bermudagrass, reproduce from runners that can grow above ground or below ground. The runners start new plants at intervals, sending down roots and then shoots, potentially taking over an entire area very quickly.

Weed control can be accomplished in two ways;

  1. pre-emergently (before the seeds germinate) or
  2. post-emergently (after the weeds have sprouted and emerged from the ground).

Applications of pre-emergent herbicides must be timed before conditions are right for the weeds to begin germinating. Post-emergent herbicides can be applied anytime after the weeds have emerged, but the younger the weeds the more effective the herbicides will be. Many post-emergent herbicides can damage your lawn if applied at the wrong rate or the wrong time. Please read the directions carefully before applying any chemicals to your sod grass lawn.

For more information on how to properly care for your sod lawn, check out our lawn care section of our website.

To purchase sod in Phoenix and Tucson, check out our sod varieties and order now.

How to Get Rid of Old Grass for New Sod

December 17th, 2021

If your yard needs renewing, you can install new sod, but not before removing the old grass. Installing new sod grass is the quickest way to transform your patchy yard into a green and luxurious lawn. However, you still need careful planning, preparation, and installation when laying new sod for effective results.

If you’re ready to upgrade your lawn, this article focuses on the steps to follow when getting rid of old grass for new sod.

Steps to Follow When Removing Old Grass for New Sod

Step 1: Gather Tools Needed

You’ll need the following tools:

  • Sod
  • Carpet knife
  • Organic matter/ grass fertilizer
  • Lawn roller
  • Tape measure
  • Rototiller
  • Lawn edger
  • Spading fork
  • Soil Rake
  • Lawn sprinkler

Step 2: Prepare Your Lawn

The first step is to mark the area where you will be laying the new sod. After marking, water the area 24-48 hours before the removal process to soften the soil.

Lastly, decide which method of grass removal you will use.

Step 3: Remove the Old Grass

If your lawn is extremely small, a grape hoe will do the trick. For larger lawns, sod/turf cutters are more efficient.

When you buy or rent a sod cutter from your local hardware store, all you have to do is adjust the blade to the appropriate height to clear the existing grass.

Step 4: Till the Soil

When tilling the soil, you’ll need a rototiller. Like the sod cutter, you can buy or rent a rototiller that penetrates your lawn down to a 6-inch (15cm) depth. Tilling helps to break up compacted soil allowing easy rooting of new sod.

In addition, tilling provides an opportunity for you to insert compost into your lawn which increases the quality of your topsoil by adding nutrients.

Note: Tilling increases the chances of weed sprouting. You can avoid this by:

  • Solarization: Kills weeds by overheating them under a thick blanket of clear plastic paper. For effective results, the solarization process requires two months before starting your tilling process.
  • Herbicides: Spray herbicides on your old grass or turf for approximately four weeks before tilling.

Step 4: Adjust the Soil Height and Slope

Now that you’ve tilled your lawn, it’s time to level the soil using a lawn roller.  When leveling, ensure that the soil is 1-1.5 inches lower than the pavements to prevent flooding. It’s okay to add or reduce the soil until you achieve an even height.

Now that you’ve leveled the lawn, you’ll want to focus on the slope. The slope of your lawn is important to ensure smooth drainage. Measure your lawn slopes 2-2.5 inches descending in the first five feet from pavements and building foundations.

Step 5: Spread the Lawn Starter Fertilizer

Keep in mind that sod needs nutrients and minerals to grow. Add essential nutrients by using a lawn starter fertilizer on your tilled and leveled soil before installing your sod.

Lawn starter fertilizers are rich in phosphorus nutrients which promote quick growth and rooting of the grassroots.

Note: Do not use fertilizers designed for mature grass because they lack phosphorus nutrients.

Step 6: Order Your New Sod

Before ordering your sod, measure the square footage of your lawn using a tape measure and calculate the amount of turf needed. Please see our page on how to measure for more information: https://www.evergreenturf.com/lawn-selector/how-to-measure.php

It’s recommended that you increase your sod order by 5-10% to account for trimmed or gap-free edges. So for example if you need 1500 square feet, your order should be between 1575 and 1650 square feet.

Step 7: Install Your New Sod

If you have a large lawn, you may want to pay for professional install, or at the very least, seek extra help from your family or friends. When installing your sod, arrange the square yard pieces in a brick-like pattern. The brick-laying pattern enables the seams to offset and establish perfectly and prevents the sod from dislocating or slipping.

As you install your sod, use a sod knife to shape the curves and edges of your yard to ensure a gap-free lawn. Use your lawn roller to press your sod in place for the finishing step and ensure complete sod-to-soil contact.

Step 8: Water Your Sod

After successful installation, water your sod for 10 minutes with a sprinkler. Repeat this step two times a day for two weeks before gradually reducing to once per day then two times a week.

Note: If you deprive your new sod of water, you will likely experience your grass drying out.

In Conclusion

When looking for the best way to revive your yard’s landscape, sod is the best option. Install your sod the right way and get a dense, green, and strongly rooted lawn that is appealing and weed-free.

Now that you understand how to get rid of old grass for newly sodded grass, it’s transformation time!

How to Use Grass Fertilizer

November 23rd, 2021

Having a lush, green lawn brings feelings of pride and satisfaction as a homeowner. However, achieving this result does not come easy. You must be willing to put in the time and effort to enjoy the benefits of a healthy and attractive lawn. Selecting the proper nutrients to fertilize your lawn and sticking to a routine fertilization schedule are some of the most important things you can do to ensure your grass appears deep green and healthy.

Lack of moisture and unchecked weed growth are both major threats to healthy lawn development. Applying the right fertilizer consistently can eliminate the damage caused by each of these problems. Fertilizer keeps weeds away and provides grass with important nutrients. You just need to make sure you select the right type of fertilizer for your grass.

Nitrogen is Essential to the Health of Your Lawn

Grass thrives when it receives regular nitrogen. Since each type of grass requires different amounts of nitrogen for maximum effectiveness, this article is intended to help you determine how much to buy and how often to use it.

Keep in mind that the growth of your lawn relates directly to how much fertilizer you place on it. You will need to commit to mowing more often and performing routine maintenance on your yard for your lawn to keep the appearance you prefer.

You will also need to choose the most appropriate type of fertilizer to feed your lawn in addition to providing it with nitrogen. The most common fertilizer options among people trying to maintain a residential lawn include:

  • Fertilizer with pesticide
  • Inorganic fertilizer
  • Liquid fertilizer
  • Plant-specific fertilizer
  • Time-release fertilizer

You can learn more about each of these types of fertilizer by reading the Five Types of Fertilizer article on our website.

Step-by-Step Guide on How to Use Lawn Fertilizer

The fertilizer you choose to encourage lawn health depends on what type of sod you have. We recommend 15-15-15 fertilizer for most types of sod in Arizona due to our unique climate here. Soil in Arizona normally has little to no phosphorous content due to our dry, humid year-round weather.

The number 15 represents the ratio of potassium, phosphorous, and nitrogen present in each bag of fertilizer mixture. The equal amounts of each nutrient are especially beneficial for new sod that has yet to take root. Grass stands the best chance of healthy growth from the start when exposed to an even distribution of potassium, phosphorous, and nitrogen.

Once you have researched which type of fertilizer is most appropriate for your sod type, the next step is to water your lawn continuously for one to two days. You should complete this step before applying any fertilizer for the first time. In fact, we recommend that you do not buy your fertilizer until your lawn has received soaking hydration first.

The next step is to follow the instructions on the back of the fertilizer bag after purchasing the correct type and bringing it home. Here are some general tips to ensure that you fertilize your lawn right:

  • Plan to fertilize new sod as soon as soon as it has received an adequate water supply. Most existing sod responds best to an early spring and early fall fertilization schedule. The reason for this is that most lawn seeds contain a mixture of several grass types. However, the directions on the back of the fertilizer bag always supersedes any general tips.
  • Rotary and broadcast spreaders are best for fertilizing large areas of grass because they spread the fertilizer evenly and you will not miss any spots. When you need controlled distribution across a smaller area of lawn, consider using a drop spreader. A handheld drop spreader works well when you only need to fertilize one or more small patches of your lawn at a time.
  • Be sure to keep pets and children off the lawn for the first 48 hours after fertilizing.

What to Do After You Have Fertilized Your Lawn

Watering your lawn thoroughly after fertilizing it provides two important benefits. First, it enables the fertilizer to sink into the soil so it can start doing its job right away. Secondly, watering your lawn removes fertilizer from the blades of your spreader. This prevents your spreader from causing burns in your lawn during later applications.

Fertilizing your lawn is somewhat of a science that can take some trial and error to get right. We invite you to read the article Why and When to Fertilize Your Lawn to learn more about timing your fertilization efforts and why the process is so important to overall lawn health. Our lawn care experts also recommend reading this article if you have St. Augustine grass and need additional tips on choosing the best fertilizer. With patience and persistence, you will reap the rewards of a beautiful, lush, and deep-green lawn.

Contact us today if you need to purchase sod for your lawn in Phoenix, Tucson, and surrounding areas. You can also purchase sod online and save 10%.

How Much Does it Cost to Have Sod Installed (2022)

October 20th, 2021

Even the best-maintained lawns have expiration dates. If you haven’t re-sodded your lawn in years, or are noticing issues with weeds or the quality of your grass, it may be time to re-sod.

There are two main ways you can go about it: do-it-yourself (DIY) or professional re-sodding.

The DIY route is typically less expensive, but it takes much more time to complete—and there’s a greater risk of error. Pros are quicker and guarantee quality but generally cost more up-front.

Luckily, lawn replacement costs tend to be lower for a re-sod project than they are for an initial install, whether going at it alone or bringing in professional help. Below, we’ll cover what it costs on average to re-sod in Phoenix, Tucson, and all of Arizona—and how you can get the best deal.

Baseline Re-sodding Cost Factor: Lawn Size

Before diving into the differences between DIY and professional re-sodding, you’ll need to answer the most important question for determining how much your re-sodding project will cost. How much re-sodding are you doing—how big is the lawn you’re planning to re-sod?

Realtor magazine estimates the average residential yard size in the US at a quarter of an acre, or 10,871 square feet, with the lawn taking up 3,000sq ft of that space. However, per the same dataset, the average yard in Arizona is 6,500 sq ft, with the lawn area averaging only 700 sq. ft.

So to simplify calculations, we’ll use 3,000 sq. ft for US averages and 700 sq. ft. for Arizona estimates.

There’s also the cost of sod itself. How much does turf cost in Arizona and across the US?

HomeGuide estimates sod cost per square foot to be between $0.34 to $0.85 nationally. In Arizona, quality sod tends to be on the higher end of that spectrum, selling at about $0.70 per sq. ft on average. We’ll use those figures, respectively, in our estimated calculations below.

These fundamentals are just the starting point for setting up total DIY and pro re-sodding costs.

How Much Does Do-It-Yourself Sodding Cost?

DIY re-sodding is a much more involved and arduous process than hiring a professional (or team thereof) to re-sod your lawn. However, it’s a rewarding project, positioning the sod is typically a straightforward process, and the base costs are lower. Still, there are a lot of complicating factors that can make the total project more expensive than it may seem.

If we look just at the basic cost per foot for the sod, the breakdown is as follows:

  • DIY re-sodding nationally – $1,020-$2,400 for a 3,000 sq. ft lawn
  • DIY re-sodding in Arizona – $490 for a 700 sq. ft lawn

But these prices can be quite misleading. They assume that your lawn is already prepared for the re-sodding and you have all the necessary equipment ready to go. If that’s the case, skip ahead!

More likely, you’ll need to account for prep and other expenses, which can add up quickly.

In Arizona , an at-home PH correction kit may cost as little as $20, but you may need to spend more if the existing level is far from where it needs to be. Equipment for grading, tilling, and spreading fertilizer will each cost upwards of $50 to rent for four hours at a time. Fertilizer typically runs around $20 per bag, and you should look to apply about 1 pound of nitrogen per 1000 sq. ft—be sure to calculate carefully, as fertilizer comes in different nitrogen grades.

And, to bring it back to lawn size, these ancillary costs are also impacted. A bigger plot will take more resources and more time to prep, inflating material and rental costs of DIY re-sodding.

How Much Does Professional Re-sodding Cost?

Compared to DIY efforts, professional re-sodding will make the project significantly faster and easier for you to manage. And, depending on the individual or team you use, you’ll likely see little to no need for additional equipment and resources—beyond buying the sod itself.

However, all that convenience comes at a price; professional re-sodding is more expensive.

According to HomeGuide, per-foot costs for professional re-sodding shoot all the way up to $0.90 to $1.80 on average—an increase of over 100% at both the low and high ends. Again, Arizona prices are on the higher end of the spectrum, as the contractor network HomeBlue estimates that pro re-sodding costs across Maricopa county range from $1.40 to $2.80 per sq. ft on average.

Using the same lawn sizes from above, total average costs for pro re-sodding break down to:

  • Pro re-sodding Nationally – $4,200 – $8,400 for a 3,000 sq. ft lawn
  • Pro re-sodding In Arizona – $980 – $1,960 for a 700 sq. ft lawn

Even though these costs are significantly higher than DIY, the benefits outweigh the costs. First of all, you save the time and effort of sod (re)installation—think of this as staving off backaches.

Second, hiring professionals to re-sod makes it far less likely that any costly mistakes are made, which extends the life of your new lawn, simplifies maintenance, and prevents repair work down the line. These are both direct savings and a near-guarantee of fewer headaches.

And, for those looking to re-sod smaller lawns, costs might not be so astronomically high.

In Arizona, at least, it’s not uncommon to find flat labor rates under $1000 dollars for re-sodding projects in the ~500 sq. ft range—not including the costs for the sod itself. But professional rates will generally be better for larger projects than for smaller ones.

Other Factors Impacting re-sodding Costs

When you’re planning a DIY or pro re-sodding project, size and square footage aren’t the only factors you need to consider. For example, your specific location might drive prices up or down.

Sod in Phoenix may cost the same as sod in Tucson, but professionals’ rates may differ.

Other micro-factors include complications in the shape and size of your lawn. For example, oddly shaped lawns may necessitate excess product. Or installation might require a level of skill in shaping the rolls of sod to the contours of your property, which could force you into a professional installation.

There’s also the quality of your soil and other conditions the sod is subject to. Natural rockiness, susceptibility to weeds, and lawn use are all important considerations, as is the level of shade it experiences.

These elements are all complicated further by the kind of grass you’re installing.

Keeping costs down isn’t just about how much you pay for the sod itself or for its initial installation. It takes careful management before, during, and after the re-sod project. Refer to our how to install sod guide for more details on how to maintain your freshly re-sodded lawn.

It always helps to use the highest quality sod available—and for that, we have you covered.

Re-sod Your Arizona Lawn with Evergreen Turf

Re-sodding projects can range widely in price, both across the country at large and within the great state of Arizona. Opting to re-sod on your own will likely mean lower up-front costs, but the higher price tag that comes with a professional installation can lead to longer-term savings.

Whatever option you choose, Evergreen Turf will make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck. We have the best quality Arizona sod, perfect for any initial install or re-sod project.

If you’re looking for turf, or have any questions about this piece, contact our team today!

 

What is the Best Drought Tolerant Grass for Arizona Lawns?

September 22nd, 2021

Best Drought Tolerant Grass for Arizona Lawns

“What is the best drought tolerant grass?” is a common question that Arizona homeowners ask us here at Evergreen Turf. We break that question down for you in this post by listing six of the most popular varieties of sod and ranking them according to their performance.

Here at Evergreen Turf, we offer homeowners the choice of six varieties of sod that are drought tolerant. Each one has adapted to the dry, humid, and hot climate of Arizona to varying degrees. Here’s our ranking of each of the sod types to determine which ones are most tolerant to drought conditions.

#1 Best Drought Tolerant Grass: TifTuf

Our staff rated TifTuf as the best drought tolerant grass when compared to other varieties of bermudagrasses. It stays greener longer and uses less water without the need for continual irrigation. The unique physiological characteristics of this grass make these impressive features possible. Here are several other features you will enjoy when you purchase TifTuf drought tolerant grass:

  • Excellent heat resistance, drought recovery, disease and insect resistance, and wear recovery
  • Good wear tolerance, weed resistance, drought tolerance, and cold tolerance

The Tif Tuf leaf blade produces a fine texture and dark green appearance. This grass can handle continual sun exposure, and you should not allow the blades to grow longer than one and one-half inches before mowing it.

#2 Best Drought Tolerant Grass: Tifway 419 Bermuda

Homeowners plant this type of grass more often than any other type in Arizona. Our staff rates it as very good because of its fine blades and density. Tifway 419 Bermuda grass is rapid spreading, which allows it to rebound quickly from injury. You will not harm this grass with close mowing, and it has the capacity to ward off most disease. Other prominent features of Tifway 419 Bermuda grass include:

  • Excellent insect resistance, drought recovery, and heat tolerance
  • Good wear, cold, and drought tolerance
  • Good weed resistance

#3 Best Drought Tolerant Grass: Midiron

Midiron is the most widely use type of turfgrass in Arizona because it is easy to maintain and attractive. This grass is blue-green in color and its leaf has medium coarse texture. One of the biggest benefits of midiron grass is that it transitions well from summer to winter weather conditions. You can over-seed a lawn containing Midiron turf without worrying about damaging it. The best equipment to use when mowing Midiron turf are a sharp rotary mower or a reel mower.

If you choose this type of sod for your home or business, keep in mind that it needs near-constant sun exposure due to its poor shade tolerance. You should plan to mow the lawn when your Midiron turf grows to a height of three-quarters of an inch to one and one-half inches.

#4 Best Drought Tolerant Grass: Tifgreen 328

The manufacturers of Tifgreen 328 sod originally created it for golf courses. However, anyone who wants brightly-colored green grass with a fine texture can purchase and install this type of sod. Tifgreen 328 provides a highly manicured appearance, which can help businesses display a more professional aesthetic. Although you can mow Tifgreen 328 with a sharp rotary mower without damaging it, a reel mower will provide you with the best results.

This type of sod has average damage recovery and drought tolerance. Like Midiron sod, Tifgreen 328 has poor shade tolerance and must receive direct sunlight most of the time. You should not let the blades grow to more than three-quarters of an inch before mowing.

Related: All About Hybrid Bermuda Grass

#5 Best Drought Tolerant Grass: TifGrand

Although the drought tolerance of TifGrand is lower than many other types of sod, its shade tolerance is one of the highest. You can expect excellent blade growth even if your TifGrand sod gets just four to five hours of direct sunlight each day. The color of this type of grass is dark green, and its blades have a fine texture.

Our lawn care experts recommend using a sharp rotary or reel motor when mowing your TifGrand grass. The ideal mowing height falls between one-half to one and one-half inches.

#6 Best Drought Tolerant Grass: Palmetto St. Augustine

As with TifGrand and TifGreen 328, Evergreen Turf gives Palmetto St. Augustine sod a drought tolerance rating of fair. This type of sod is one of our best performers when it comes to growth when exposed to shady conditions. Palmetto St. Augustine also thrives when exposed to bright, sunny conditions and is the most resistant to heat among the five other types.

This sod creates an attractive semi-dwarf coarse texture and produces soft leaves. Be sure not to overseed your Palmetto St. Augustine grass in the winter and cut it with a sharp rotary mower.

Other Considerations When Purchasing New Sod

The level of resistance to drought is an important consideration when installing new sod, but it is not the only thing you need to think about. For example, you need to choose a type of sod with a quick recovery time if your lawn normally sees a lot of foot traffic. The amount of shade your lawn will receive is another important consideration. Some types of sod do well in either sun or shade, while others require nearly constant exposure to the sun to grow and remain healthy.

We also recommend that you consider the make-up of your soil and whether it contains a lot of salt. Some types of sod need more fertilization, watering, and other types of regular care, so be sure to evaluate how much time you have to devote to lawn care before selecting your sod.

We Are Always Available to Help Arizona Homeowners with Their Lawncare Needs

Whether you need help choosing a type of sod, advice on lawn care, installation tips, or managing the lawn care needs of your business, Evergreen Turf is here for you. Please contact us at 480-456-1119 with additional questions. You may also use this form to contact us today.

How to Bring Your Lawn Back to Life in Spring and Summer

July 22nd, 2020

In a perfect world, dead grass would just come back to life and start growing again. However, that is not the way it works. So if you’re looking at your brown lawn and wondering, “Will dead grass grow back?” Here is your answer:

Dead grass will not grow back; you will need to buy fresh sod to make your lawn look good again. That being said – there is a difference between dormant and dead grass. If your grass is dormant it will come back; it’s just not growing during a particular season.  

Will dead grass grow back? We answer your question in this article.

To check if your grass is dormant or dead, it helps to know the type of grass you have. Bermuda grass, like Midiron for example, is a type of grass that goes dormant in the winter. When grass is dormant, you can tell because it will usually pull out easily. It’s also important to check the roots—white roots are good and live, while black roots indicate the grass is dead or dying.

What are the Main Causes of Patchy Grass?

Patchy grass can result from either dead or dormant grass. If your entire lawn is dead, you will need to remove the dead grass, prep the soil, and lay new sod.

When your whole lawn is the same brown color, the grass may be dormant. Cool-season grasses will go dormant in the summer when the sun produces prolonged periods of hot temperatures, while warm-season grasses will go dormant during the winter. In these cases, the grass is still alive and will come back to life and return to a beautiful hue when its intended season returns.

If your lawn is green in some areas and brown in others, you might be dealing with dead patches in the lawn but not an entirely dead lawn. To fix dead patches, rake out the dead area gingerly, fertilize it, and water it; eventually, it should come back.

Should You Sprinkle Seed to Fix Patches of Dead Grass?

This is a common question. The answer is that you do not need to buy seed and sprinkle it on your lawn. If you do decide to seed, you need to know which type of grass you have. Many grasses are hybrid, which means they do not produce seeds. The exception to this rule is winter (cool season) sod; seed sprinkling would work for winter sod because these grasses (fescue, for example) do have seeds.

Instead of seeding, you might consider buying small patches of sod to fix dead patches. If you sprinkle seed on dead patches and you don’t know why type of sod you have, you will end up with a non-uniform lawn texture and appearance.

What Are Some Ways to Grow Grass in Arizona?

If you want your grass to remain green year-round regardless of the temperature, you can plant a mixture of cool- and warm-season grasses. This process is called overseeding. Overseeding enables your lawn to grow thicker, produce a better color, and have greater resistance to pests and the elements because there’s more seed-to-soil contact. Overseeding for a winter lawn should begin around October in Arizona. Conversely, your summer lawn prep should begin in the late spring or early summer.

Scalping for Early Summer Grass

In the late spring or early summer, you should scalp your lawn to get rid of the dead tissue that builds up on the sod over time. In doing so, you will give way for new tissue to come in. Once you have scalped your lawn, give it a little food because that is what it will need to grow. There are wrong and right ways to transition your Arizona sod lawn in the springtime. For example, the type of fertilizer you choose matters, as does the ongoing temperature. Be sure to read up on the type of grass you have and the appropriate steps for transitioning your lawn in the spring or fall before you set to work on your lawncare plan.

So there you have it. We hope this article has helped answer your questions about dead grass growing back.

At Evergreen Turf, we are proud to be Arizona’s lawncare experts. We invite you to stop by our location in Chandler, Arizona if you have questions or need help ensuring your lawn is as beautiful and bountiful as it can possibly be. If you have a dead lawn, we can help you choose the right grass for your unique home or office property.

All About Hybrid Bermuda Grass

July 11th, 2019

Hybrid bermuda grasses are a popular choice for home lawns in Arizona. They come in different varieties. One of the most popular choices for home lawns in Arizona is Midiron. Other popular varieties include Tifway, Tifgreen and TifGrand. All of these varieties are hybrid bermuda grass, meaning two species with desirable traits are bred to create a high-quality grass.

Hybrid bermuda grasses are designed to be drought and heat-tolerant. Some varieties, such as TifGrand, are also more shade-tolerant. Hybrid grasses are also hypoallergenic because they do not produce any pollen – making them a great choice for people with allergies. Most are also bred to be resistant to insects and disease.

In addition, hybrid bermuda grass is often thicker than other types, which means it can prevent more weeds.

To give you an idea of how popular each variety of hybrid bermuda grass is for home lawns in our area, this is how much of each type we sell on average:

  • 80% Midiron
  • 15% Tifway
  • 3% TiffGrand
  • 2% Tifgreen

We’ve created an infographic with this information as well, for those visually-inclined folks. Check it out on our Facebook page.

Here’s a breakdown of each sod variety to help you choose which one is right for you:
green blades of grass, up close

Midiron

  • Most popular in Arizona
  • Drought tolerant
  • Low maintenance

Tifway 419

  • Most durable variety
  • Drought tolerant
  • Extra maintenance

Tifgreen 328

  • Very fine texture
  • Bright green color
  • Highly manicured appearance

TifGrand Bermuda

  • True sun and shade grass
  • Dark green color
  • Fine Texture

Palmetto St. Augustine

  • Best for shade, but excellent in sun as well
  • Bright green color
  • Low maintenance

Still not sure which one to choose? Take our quiz to find the right sod for your lawn.

FAQ: How Often Should I Fertilize Bermuda Grass?

June 18th, 2019

A question we get asked frequently around here is…

“How often should I fertilize Bermuda grass?”

how often to fertilize your Bermuda sod lawn

It’s a great question and knowing the answer will help ensure that you have the healthiest lawn possible; one that thrives through the warm months of the year.

So here is your answer:

You should fertilize your Bermuda grass about once a month in the spring using a quick-release, complete fertilizer Once your lawn is fully green and dense, you can switch to a slow-release fertilizer. This will slow the growth of your lawn, so it doesn’t become overgrown.

It’s important to switch to a slow-release fertilizer once your lawn is dense, so that you won’t get a lot of growth. This ensures you’re caring for your lawn in the most efficient manner.

We have several other articles related to the topic of Bermuda grass, including midiron, and fertilizer on our site. Here’s a round-up of those articles, in case you’re still curious or have some other questions.

Other Helpful Articles

How To Get Rid of Weeds – This article describes the most common weeds in Arizona and how to eliminate them from your lawn.

Effects of Over-fertilizing – This article explains how you can accidentally over-fertilize your lawn. It also tells you how to repair an over fertilized lawn.

Can I Fertilize My Lawn in the Summer – This article answers that question and gives additional fertilization tips.

Best Fertilizer for Bermuda Grass – This article goes into detail on which fertilizer is best to use on your Bermuda sod, depending on the time of year and the maturity stage of your lawn.

Common Lawncare Mistakes and How to Avoid Them – This article helps you avoid the most common lawn care mistakes that homeowners make.

Best Time of Year to Aerate Your Bermuda Grass Lawn – This article explains the process of aerating your lawn, why it is important, and when is the best time of year to do so.

About Evergreen Turf

Here at Evergreen Turf, we pride ourselves on being your go-to source for sod in Arizona. Whether you just need tips on how to keep your lawn healthy year-round or you need to purchase sod from us, we have you covered. We even offer installation of our sod products, so you don’t have to worry about installing it yourself.

Not sure which type of sod is right for your lawn? Take our quiz to help you select which variety of sod is suited for your unique conditions. For all things related to lawn care, be sure to check out our lawn care section on our website, which covers everything from irrigation and mowing to nutrition, insect control and fall over-seeding.

If you have any other questions about Arizona sod, whether it has to do with fertilizing your Bermuda sod or anything else, contact our team today and let us know how we can help you. You can also ask us questions or just say hi on our Facebook page!

Top 10 Tips for Arizona Sod

June 6th, 2019

Here at Evergreen Turf, we talk about sod a lot! In fact, we’ve been writing blog posts and articles on how best to care for your sod lawn in Arizona for over a decade. People from Phoenix to Tucson and the cities in between turn to us, not just for sod installations, but for lawn care tips. Why? Because they know they can trust us to provide accurate information on creating healthy lawns in Arizona. Here is a collection of our top 10 tips for Arizona sod, from our article archive. Enjoy!

Rye grass is a great choice for Arizona lawns in the winter

Best Fertilizer for St Augustine Grass

The best fertilizer for St Augustine grass will vary, but the rule of thumb is one pound of nitrogen for every 1,000 square feet. Fertilizing every two months is ideal unless you apply slow-release nitrogen that can be spread every 10 weeks. There are numerous fertilizers marketed for St. Augustine specifically such as Lesco St. Augustine Lawn Fertilizer, Dr. Earth Organic Super Natural Lawn Fertilizer and Pennington’s Weed and Feed product.

Learn more here: https://www.evergreenturf.com/best-fertilizer-for-st-augustine-grass.php

How Long Does It Take For Sod To Take Root

The process takes about two weeks for shallow roots and up to six weeks to establish deep root growth.

Be sure to read the full article for tips on how to encourage deep root growth, as well as how to best prepare your soil for sod. Learn more here: https://www.evergreenturf.com/How-Long-Does-It-Take-for-Sod-to-Take-Root.php

The Best Grass For Arizona Lawns

For the warm seasons, the best types of grass for Arizona lawns are Bermuda grasses, such as Tifway, Midiron and others. Palmetto St. Augustine is also a great choice for warm seasons, as it is the most heat-tolerant of all St. Augustine cultivars. For winter grass, the best option is perennial ryegrass. You want to over-seed your summer lawn with perennial ryegrass in the fall when the temperatures outside start to drop to ensure a lush, green winter lawn.

Learn more here: https://www.evergreenturf.com/best-grass-arizona-lawns.php

How To Make St. Augustine Grass Thicker

In a nutshell, you want to follow these five steps to make St. Augustine grass thicker:

  1. Properly prepare the soil.
  2. Water sufficiently – the watering schedule varies based on whether you’re working with a freshly installed lawn or a mature lawn, as well as time of year.
  3. Mow the lawn to the proper height, make sure your mower has sharp blades, and don’t bag the trimmings.
  4. Fertilize with one pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet of lawn space. Fertilize during periods of active growth only.
  5. Hand pull weeds whenever possible, and be very careful if you choose to use chemical herbicides.

Learn more here: https://www.evergreenturf.com/how-to-make-st-augustine-grass-thicker.php

How To Keep Grass Green in Five Steps

  1. Choose a type of sod that will work best in your yard.
  2. Test your soil.
  3. Water thoroughly but do not over-water.
  4. Don’t mow too short.
  5. Aerate your lawn once in spring and once in fall.

Learn more here: https://www.evergreenturf.com/How-to-Keep-Grass-Green-in-5-Easy-Steps.php

How To Have Year-Round Grass in Arizona

Bermuda grass is used most often for Arizona lawns during the warm months. It will stay green and continue to grow as long as it has enough water. It is a perennial grass, meaning it comes back year after year. Its active season is usually from May to September.

In September or October, when the temperatures start to get cooler, Bermuda grasses will begin to turn yellow. While your lawn may look dead, it actually is not, this just means the grass has gone dormant.

If you want to ensure that your lawn is green from October through May until the Bermuda grass becomes active again, you will want to overseed your lawn with Rye grass. This grass is suited to cooler temperatures and will begin to die off in May once the afternoons start to become hotter.

Learn more here: https://www.evergreenturf.com/how-to-have-year-round-grass-arizona.php

Why and When To Fertilize Your Lawn

Why should you fertilize your lawn? Because fertilizers help to build a better root system, which in turn helps protect your lawn from extreme heat, cold, drought, foot traffic, and other stress factors.

When should you fertilize your lawn? You should fertilize several times throughout the year:

  • February – April – Strengthens the roots and helps to set it up for success during the heavy growing season.
  • April – June – Gives your lawn the energy it needs to stay healthy during the summer and fall.
  • June – August – Encourage continued growth so that you still have a lawn in the fall.
  • September – November – Your lawn is ready for another growth period, and will need nutrients in order to thrive. Apply your fertilizer just before the winter chill hits in order to increase nitrogen storage.

Learn more here: https://www.evergreenturf.com/Why-and-When-to-Fertilize-Your-Lawn.php

The Best Time To Install Your Arizona Sod Lawn

Sod can be installed year round as long as the soil is properly prepared beforehand.

Learn more here: https://www.evergreenturf.com/Best-Time-Install-Arizona-Sod-Lawn.php

A Guide To 15-15-15 Fertilizer

5-15-15 fertilizer is a fertilizer that contains equal parts of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. It is the best option when you’re installing new sod in Arizona because the soil in Arizona naturally has little to no phosphorous content.

Learn more here: https://www.evergreenturf.com/15-15-15-fertilizer-guide-arizona.php

Best Watering Practices for Arizona Sod

  • When to water freshly installed sod: For the first two weeks after you install your new sod, you should water it four to eight times per day in short intervals of five to ten minutes to keep the sod evenly moist.
  • Water an established lawn two to three times per week for ten to 25 minutes. Try to water early in the morning or in the evening.
  • Rainwater and recycled household water can supplement your traditional water supply. Check your local laws to ensure it is legal to do so.
  • Sprinklers and timers can help make watering sod in Arizona more efficient.

Learn more here: https://www.evergreenturf.com/best-watering-practices-arizona-sod.php

Benefits of Sod

August 3rd, 2018

To sod, or not to sod? In Arizona’s dry desert climate, this is a major question for homeowners who want to enjoy a lush green lawn, despite the blistery hot temperatures that can be incurred this time of year. Fortunately, there are actually many benefits of sod. With a bevy of reasons under its belt, sod can easily become your lawn’s best friend. The key is finding the right type of sod that works for your climate, as well as the unique elements specific to your own individual space.

What are the major benefits of sod lawns?

Here’s a look at a few of our favorite benefits of sod:

Benefit #1: Sod Reduces Heat

Asphalt, concrete, bare soil, and artificial turf have a tendency to emanate heat. Conversely, sod absorbs heat, creating cooling properties that can bring the temperature over the sod down 10 to 30 degrees cooler than other landscaping material.

According to Turfgrass Producers International, “The front lawns of eight houses have the cooling effect of about 70 tons of air conditioning. That’s amazing when the average home has an air conditioner with just a three or four ton capacity. The cooling effect of irrigated turf reduces the amount of fuel that must be burned to provide the electricity which powers the air conditioners.”

Those numbers are huge in a high desert region such as Arizona, where heat can easily overtake comfortable outside living spaces. With sod on your side, you’ll enjoy a built in natural balance against the sizzling sun.

Benefit #2: Sod Adds Value to Your Home

People say kitchens and bathrooms sell homes, but remember, buyers have to get past your front yard long before they walk through your front door. A well-landscaped home can increase the overall property value by 15 to 20 percent. Clean, soft grass is particularly appealing to perspective homeowners who have small children or pets who will likely romp around in the yard during playtime.

Benefit #3: Sod Controls Erosion

Sod is fully matured from the moment it’s installed, meaning it’s immediately ready to go to work, controlling erosion and rooting itself deep within the dirt beneath it. If you have steep hills on your property, sod can easily be installed on the slopes to perpetuate stabilization. If you have a dirt-covered lawn that’s prone to get muddy on the few occasions we get big rains in this part of the country, sod can eliminate the muck and mire and give you a lawn you’ll truly desire.

Benefit #4: Sod Absorbs Carbon Dioxide & Releases Oxygen

By default, plants are humans’ best friends. They take the carbon dioxide we release into the air, process it, and send back fresh, clean oxygen for us all to breathe. Lawns are special carbon dioxide filters, given the sheer size they take up at any given time.

Grass also absorbs harmful agents that find their way into the air we breathe, such as hydrogen fluoride and peroxyacetyl nitrates.

Beyond this, the lovely blades on lawns also act as a natural dust and dirt filter, helping to keep an estimated 12 million tons of particles from floating around in the air by capturing it and making it part of its own ecosystem.

Benefit #5: Sod Reduces Noise from Traffic

Have you ever been inside a home that has no carpet or furniture? If so, you realize just how loud everyday sounds can be. A simple footstep echoes on the walls and makes a sound last much longer than it would if there was something around to absorb the sound.

That’s what sod does for the exterior of your home. The impact of noise pollution—even by simple things like cars passing by—is greatly reduced when you have sod acting as a sound barrier. The thick layer of leaves and dirt are apt to absorb sound before it begins bouncing off area structures. Of course, no sod can combat the annoying noise of your neighbor’s unnecessary car alarm, but you’ll certainly hear a difference if you go from a dirt landscape to a lawn that’s covered in sound-absorbing sod.

If you’re trying to figure out if sod would be a good solution for your lawn, we invite you to stop by our location at 11407 E. Germann Road in Chandler, Arizona. You can also learn about the sod varieties we offer here at Evergreen Turf, and if you already know what you want, go ahead and order online!