When researching winter lawn care, you’ll likely discover countless suggestions for overseeding your lawn with a perennial species like ryegrass.

But overseeding requires watering—in Arizona, residents, business owners, and landscapers should be mindful of local water supplies and use restrictions in place. To conserve water, reduce your utility bill, or simply take a more sustainable approach to lawn management this winter, you might choose to skip overseeding.

If you’re not going to overseed, what should your winter lawn maintenance plan look like? Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of cool-weather lawn care.

#1 Research Your Grass Type

If you’ve recently moved into a new home, you might not know where to start when it comes to making a winter lawn care plan.

The first step—finding out what kind of grasses make up your lawn and researching how to care for each species.

And, if you’re thinking about replacing your lawn before the cool weather kicks in, remember that not all grasses are created equal when it comes to weather resistance and damage recovery. Here are a few of the most common Arizona grasses and their general response to damage (like cold weather):

• Midiron – Excellent damage recovery
• Tifway 419 – Very good recovery
• Tifgreen 328 – Fair recovery
• TifGrand – Fair recovery
• Palmetto St. Augustine – Fair recovery

After you determine your grass type, research how it responds to cooler weather and what you’ll need to do to help it survive the winter.

#2 Allow Grass to Go Dormant

Some grasses—like Bermuda grass, a common Arizona species—go dormant during prolonged cold weather. Dormant grasses can:

• Become less vibrant or even appear dead
• Grow slowly (or not at all)
• Appear and feel dehydrated, dry, or crunchy

But dormant grass isn’t dead grass—dormancy is like hibernation for plants, and dormant grass should spring back up to its former green glory once the weather warms up.

If your grass appears to be going dormant for the winter, it’s best to let nature take its course.

#3 Monitor Rainfall and Supplement with Watering

Just because your lawn might be going dormant, you shouldn’t expect it to survive without any water during the winter months.

Each grass species has specific needs for staying alive (or having a healthy dormancy) in winter, and you should expect your lawn to need at least some watering. Bermuda grass, for instance, needs to be watered in the winter to maintain soil moisture—which will keep the grass alive even once it starts to wilt.

Winter rains may provide all the water your lawn needs as the weather cools down. But, if your area doesn’t receive any rain for more than two weeks, you should consider lightly watering it (while taking care not to overwater).

#4 Adjust Fertilization Schedule

During the warmer months, you may be watering and fertilizing your lawn often to help keep weeds out, encourage thickening, and maintain that vibrant green.

However, if you don’t plan to overseed this winter, you can cut back on your fertilizing efforts once the weather cools down.

Different grasses have different fertilization needs, even during the winter. If you’re not sure how to fertilize your lawn, you can:

• Consult a turf expert for advice
• Test fertilizer frequency and formula in a small patch of your yard
• Reach out to your local extension office for more information

Evergreen Turf: Your #1 Source for Quality Sod in Arizona

Arizona winter grass doesn’t have to be overseeded during the colder months. Still, you should ensure you’re providing the specific care your grass species needs to stay alive this winter, whether or not it goes dormant.

If you’re looking for turf tips before the cooler weather sets in, Evergreen Turf is your number-one source for helpful information, high-quality sod, and so much more. You can browse our wealth of lawn care knowledge online, give us a call, or drop by our Chandler location—when you need expertise, we’ve got you covered.

Summer is in full swing, and that means your lawn is being inundated with high levels of heat and direct sunshine. No matter how much effort you put forth into making sure your Arizona sod lawn stays green, your efforts will all be for not if you don’t understand the proper way to care for your grass. Sure, you could hire an expensive landscaping company. Or, you could take some time to check out these DIY tips that’ll help give you that emerald green look you’re going for.

With this in mind, here are a few tricks to check out:

1. Mow High

You want to leave about three inches of blade when you mow, so put your lawn mower on a high setting. Why? Because taller blades give your lawn’s root system more shade, which helps keep it cool during those hot summer days. Additionally, taller blades tend to grow deeper, stronger root systems. Learn more about the ideal height to cut grass.

2. Learn When and How Much to Water

Watering too lightly can prevent your lawn’s roots from being fully saturated. On the other hand, watering too frequently can drown the roots and prevent your grass from growing. Another thing to think about—if you water your lawn too late in the day, you could risk having too much of the water evaporate before it’s able to find its way to the roots of your sod grass, especially with the soaring temperatures during summer in Phoenix and Tucson.

Water the lawn deeply in the morning hours two to three times each week. That will allow it to get about two inches of water weekly, which should help keep it green. Early in the morning is a great time to water, ensuring your lawn has enough moisture throughout the day. This helps prevent fungal diseases, too.

3. Prevent Water Run-Off

If you see water trickling off your lawn and onto your walkways, it’s a sign that you’re watering too heavily in such a way that the soil has become saturated. If this is happening, switch to watering steadily and slowly, and if you start to notice more run-off, move the sprinkler to a different area.

4. Water the Lawn, Not the Path

This seems obvious on paper, but rest assured, there are lots of homeowners who water their sidewalks and the moisture never hits the green stuff that needs the attention.

If your sprinkler system isn’t set up for your lawn’s shape and size, you could be one of these people, too. Sprinklers are great for helping ensure you’re watering the right spots and limiting wasted water, but check with professionals to make sure you’ve got the right set up for your lawn’s needs.

5. Maintain Your Mower

A poorly maintained mower will harm your lawn. Be sure you’re regularly sharpening the blades of your mower and changing the filter, oil, and spark plugs often. Dull mower blades will tear the grass, rather than cut it, leaving brown tips in their wake.

6. Repair Pet Spots with Professional Solutions

Everybody loves a furry friend, but the waste left by pets can wreak havoc on a lawn. If you’re seeing brown spots marking your lawn, they might be caused by Fido. If this sounds like you, look for a lawn repair kit that can help you regrow these brown spots before further harm ensues. At the very least, after your dog does his or her business, you can pick up solid waste and spray the area with some water to dilute the urine.

Related: Tips for Landscaping with Dogs

7. Feed Your Lawn

Your lawn is a living thing. As such, it requires nourishment to stay healthy. Apply a slow-release fertilizer to provide the kinds of nutrients that’ll protect your lawn from burning. It takes around six to eight weeks for the elements in the soil to absorb and process nutrients. This means you need to fertilize your lawn at regular intervals so you can replenish nutrients before your lawn is starving for more.

8. Remove Lawn Clippings

Be careful not to leave lawn clippings in thick clumps because this can lead to the formation of mold, especially when you water it. Always rake up clippings or use a mower that can sweep them up as the lawn is being cut.

9. Aerate

Lawns need oxygen just like they need water, so it’s important to keep your lawn aerated. Aeration perforates the soil at various intervals, alleviating compaction and allowing water, air, and nutrients to penetrate deep into the surface. Depending on the size of your lawn, you can use a garden fork or an aerating machine to achieve this.

10. Be Diligent About Weed Removal

Take care of weeds early and often, instead of putting weed killer on the entire lawn all at once. Pull weeds or using a weeding fork on a regular basis. If your area is large, try “painting” weed killer onto the affected area.

11. Try a Different Variety of Grass

It’s possible that your turf may not be the best solution for your region or the amount of sun and shade your yard gets. Some turf naturally becomes stressed when it’s exposed to hot temperatures. If this is the case, talk to our team at Evergreen Turf to see if there’s a better solution for your lawn needs.

If you’re searching online for “sod installation near me,” it’s obvious you’re considering upgrading your lawn. This is the best choice for you if you want to have a quick, easy and affordable lawn without the hassle of learning everything from scratch. We all know how busy a person’s life can be and you might not always have the time and energy to take care of your own lawn. If you’re still not sold on hiring professionals for the job, here’s why you should leave your sod installation to the professionals.

Why You Should Let the Pros Install Your Sod:

• Weekends are meant for play and fun, not worrying about what to do about your lawn. Evergreen Turf will do the worrying for you and will be there to install the same day your sod is delivered
• Evergreen Turf is the best professional sod company in Arizona. We have a team of highly skilled craftsmen with years of experience in sod installations. You can rest easy knowing that your lawn will be taken care of by people who know what they are doing and produce the best lawn you and your family deserve.
• An added difficulty of installing a lawn yourself is when there are other elements on your property such as sprinkler heads, decorations, and walkways. Doing it yourself can be tiring without getting the result you want. Those other elements in your yard need expert precision and skill to cut around to avoid damage to the sod as well as minimize the scrap
• Installing sod is not as simple as just putting on the layer of sod and waiting. It takes skilled craftsmen to make sure that the sod is properly installed with no patches or spots that are less attractive. Evergreen Turf crews will roll the sod and ensure that there is good soil contact for the sod to take hold as well as apply the starter fertilizer to increase the chances of your sod successfully rooting quickly.
• With professionals, you get what you pay for. You won’t have to worry about Evergreen Turf’s crew, they do this every day. You can sit back and enjoy. Please note, we do not perform work outside the terms of the contract which includes prep work, sprinkler work or rototilling.

Types of Sod You Can Buy at Evergreen Turf:

Midiron

This is the grass of choice in Arizona. It is an attractive and low-maintenance lawn that is perfect for busy people who still want to have a beautiful lawn they can enjoy without too much hassle. The grass itself has a medium-coarse leaf texture with a refreshing blue-green color. It is an excellent plant that transitions well from winter over-seeding and recovers quickly from people stepping on it. It can be maintained with a reel mower or a sharp rotary mower. It has a mowing height of 3/4″ to 1 1/2″.

Keep in mind that Midiron has low shade tolerance, which means it is perfect for a lawn that is under the sun. Also, it is a much sturdier grass than others with moderate salinity tolerance and will always be suitable for Arizona weather with its good drought tolerance.

Tifway 419

• Tifway 419 is the lawn of choice for professional sports fields and golf courses. It is preferred to other Bermuda grass because of its ability to recover from damage from constant and heavy use. This variety has extraordinary durability and a beautiful dark green color and medium-fine texture. This grass is an excellent choice for lawns that will be seeing constant use. This variety can be cut using a sharp rotary motor or a reel motor for a manicured look.

It is the perfect lawn if it is constantly exposed to sunlight but will have difficulty if placed in a mostly shaded area. It is also moderately tolerant to salinity and will be able to grow even if the area it is placed in has salt and is an excellent variant for hot regions. It has a mowing height of 1/2” to 1 1/2″.

Tifgreen328

• This variety of grass has a bright green color and a very fine texture. Initially developed for use in golf courses, it is the perfect choice if you want a manicured appearance for your lawn. Its beauty is the primary reason why it is used in expensive golf courses and it is the perfect choice if you want the same quality lawn for your home. It can be mowed with a sharp rotary mower but you can find the best results when you use a reel mower.

This variety also has a fair damage recovery rating that is still hardy compared to other grasses with poor shade tolerance, which is perfect for a lawn that gets lots of sunlight. It has a moderate salinity tolerance which means it’s not as susceptible to moderate concentrations of salt in the soil. It has a fair drought tolerance which means that it needs a little bit more water than the varieties we have discussed so far.

TifGrand

• TifGrand Bermuda is a product of scientific development and boasts a 60% resistance to shade and requires only about 4-5 hours of direct sunlight. Although it requires a more difficult maintenance routine in full sun conditions, TifGrand is an excellent variety for a lawn, especially because it has a fine texture and a beautiful dark green color. It can be mowed using a reel or a shaft rotary mower at the height of 1/2” to 1 ½” height.

This variety has a fair damage recovery rating and a moderate salinity tolerance. It is also rated fair for drought tolerance. It is a less sturdy variety overall but it is tolerant to shade which means you don’t have to worry too much about this variety dying if they don’t get the right amount of sunlight which is important if you plan to have a lot of shade in your lawn.

Palmetto St. Augustine

• This variety is the best performer in shady conditions and is highly recommended by the Evergreen Turf crew. This variety is a semi-dwarf variety of St. Augustine grass and thrives in both sunlight, shade, and heat. It has a coarse texture with soft leaves that makes it comfortable to lie on if you just want to relax and on the grass.

It also has a bright green color, perfect for that pleasantly eye-catching shade of green people look for on a lawn. However, it requires a little bit more care since it should not be overseeded during the winter. If you want to mow this grass, it is recommended that you use a Reel or sharp rotary mower at a height of 1 1/2″ to 3” for best results.

TifTuf

• TifTuf is the best hybrid bermudagrass you will ever encounter regarding drought tolerance. This means that it can go longer without being watered. It is developed by the University of Georgia Research Program and is among the best strains they were able to produce. It has fine texture with a dark green color and can survive with 30% less water than the best hybrid Bermuda grass currently in the market today. It has a similar look to Tifway but is a sturdier variety and improved color during the winter. It also has the added benefit of being able to green up quicker when spring comes than other strains of grass.

For best results, you should mow this grass with a reel mower or a sharp rotary mower at a height of 1/2″ to 1 1/2″. It has a good salinity tolerance and fair shade tolerance with high damage recovery.

No need to search any further for sod installation near you. Contact Evergreen Turf today and get back to enjoying your weekend while we take care of all the hard work. The lawn of your dreams is just one call away!

If you are a homeowner about to install new sod, there are several things that you should know that many homeowners wished they knew when they started. These tips will help you save a lot of time and money and at the same time keep your sod looking amazing just like those maintained by professionals. Keeping sod does not need to be difficult or expensive as long as you follow these simple and easy-to-do tips.

How much should I water new sod?

The riskiest time for sod is when it is just newly installed. This is particularly true in times and places where high temperatures are common such as those we experience here in Arizona. Summer days are among the most dangerous as they could lead to several patches of sod drying out and destroying the overall beauty of your sod.

The best time to water established lawns is either in the morning or the evening.  This is because if you water your lawn in the middle of the day when it’s very warm, the water will evaporate quickly.

For new sod that has been recently installed, we recommend watering 4-8 times a day for about 5-10 minutes each. You just need to do this for the first two weeks following installation and then you can cut down to watering once a day for about 15-45 minutes each. When the sod is properly established you can water your lawn 2-3 times a week for 10-25 minutes each time.

Related: Lawn Care – Sod Irrigation

This schedule changes during colder times such as winter (for overseeded sod) where you should water twice a day for 10-15 minutes for the first two weeks after installation and only once a day after that for 15-20 minutes each. For well-established lawns during the colder times, you should keep an eye on the weather since it will dictate the amount and frequency of watering.

The general rule of thumb here is that when you are experiencing hotter weather, you should water more frequently but when you are experiencing colder weather, you can water your sod less frequently.

You can make this easier for you by hiring professionals to take care of all the needs of your sod. You might have to dole out some cash but this way you will ensure that you remove the guesswork of taking care of your lawn and the risk of having patches of your lawn die or dry out.

When Should I Fertilize?

To get the best results for a healthy lawn, fertilizing should be done every 30 days. Just like humans, lawns need good nutrition to keep them free from weeds and disease. This will help them to thrive and look healthy. The best Nitrogen-Phosphate-Potassium (N-P-K) ratio of fertilizer we recommend is a 21-7-14 or 16-8-4.

Keeping a good fertilizing schedule is important because fertilizers nourish your lawn. Look at fertilizers as food for plants and when you give them an adequate amount of food, they will grow and take root properly, which will protect your lawn from extreme weather or temperatures as well as other stressors that the lawn might encounter. However, you should keep in mind that you might have to reassess your fertilizing schedule depending on the type of sod you are using since different varieties of sod have different needs. You should also consider the weather and season when planning your fertilizing schedule.

During springtime, you should consider having a fertilizing schedule for early spring and late spring. During early spring, plants are generally waking up from their hibernation during the winter. This means that they have expended much of their stored nutrients during this time and require more care. On the other hand, during late spring, your lawn needs all the help it can get to prepare for the coming stresses of summer and fall.

During the summer, in hotter areas like Arizona, your lawn is experiencing heavier stress because of the heat and bugs. Fertilizing during this time will help make sure that your lawn keeps healthy going into the fall.

Related: Lawn Care – Sod Nutrition

When fall comes, so will the opportunity to entertain guests and other outdoor entertainment. This is also the season when your lawn begins to prepare for another growth period. This means that your sod needs more nutrients to help keep it healthy and strong. However, this is also the best time for your sod to thrive since nature is giving you a hand. You will be experiencing more rainfall and cooler times during this time which will make taking care of your lawn easier.

If you want more information about when to fertilize your lawn, you can go to Evergreenturf.com and get expert advice on the best fertilizing schedule for your lawn.

How Long Does It Take New Sod to Root?

This is a difficult question to answer simply. Sod taking root generally has two stages: Formation of shallow roots and formation of deep roots. To get the best results, you should give sod the right care during these periods to ensure that your lawn thrives in the long term. Strong roots mean that sod becomes more resilient against any stressors that it might encounter.

Forming shallow roots can begin as early as two weeks. To help this process along, you should water your new lawn right after the sod is installed. After the first week of laying the sod, it is recommended that you water your sod daily to make the process quicker. You need to take particular care during this stage since this process is among the most sensitive times for the sod. Avoiding adding stress to your lawn during this time will help it grow and thrive in the future. You should minimize stepping on it or adding any kind of weight to allow it time to grow the roots it needs for the future.

Related: How Long Does it Take for Sod to Root

On the other hand, deep roots require that you water your sod less. This will encourage your lawn to develop deep roots. If done right, your sod will be able to develop deep roots in about 30-45 days. When this happens, it is a sign that your lawn is ready to face added pressure such as mowing and foot traffic.

Be sure to wait to mow your lawn for the first time after 48 hours or two days after watering to prevent damage to the grass blades. Also, set your mower to 3 inches. This is the optimum height for your lawn to keep healthy during this sensitive time.

To further encourage faster rooting, you can use a lawn roller right after the sod is installed. Rolling the sod carefully will allow the new sod and the topsoil to adhere faster and will also remove air pockets that will slow the growth rate of roots. You can also start fertilizing your lawn after six weeks of installation.

To help this process along, you should also prepare the soil where the sod will be placed. Most grass species thrive on acidic, well-drained soil. You can add Sulfur, Compost, and Lime to your soil before the installation of sod to prepare it. This will increase the chances of a fully healthy and great-looking lawn that will begin taking root in about two weeks.

If you need more information about preparing your soil, you can go to Evergreenturf.com and receive advice from experts in this industry. If you want to remove the guesswork when installing the best high-quality sod, we also offer installation for a reasonable price!

Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t Overwater before Installing New Sod

We know that getting new sod can be an exciting prospect and you want to do everything you can to make sure that the installation goes smoothly. You might be tempted to overwater your lawn thinking that it will help make the installation and growth go faster but this is more dangerous and might negatively affect a successful installation. Muddy grounds make working on it more difficult and can lead to poor sod growth. What you want here is to keep the lawn just moist but not soaked. Please see above for watering schedules that provide the moisture your sod needs and help you avoid overwatering.

Don’t Mow Too Soon

Mowing can cause severe damage to a newly installed sod. Do not mow your new sod lawn until about two weeks after installation. However, keep in mind that you must remove only 1/3 of the leaf blade to prevent scalping or damaging the new lawn. This means that you might have to mow your lawn more frequently or about every 3 days to reach the growing height that you want but we promise you it will be worth it.

Mowing a lawn depends on how quickly your sod is growing. There are some varieties and conditions that grow faster like Tiffgreen sod lawn where you might have to mow every 2-3 days as compared to midiron hybrid Bermuda sol lawn which needs to be mowed once every 7-19 days. This might require you to mow more often but as long as you remember the general rule “never remove more than 1/3 of the leaf” then you should be fine.

Related: Lawn Care – Mowing Sod

If you plan on mowing less often, you should also remember that you should keep your mowing height up and the fertility of your land down. Keeping your fertility low will slow the growth of your grass and the higher mowing height allows for more leeway for the grass to grow without it becoming cumbersome and remain looking crisp even with less frequent maintenance mowing. However, the best-looking lawns are those that follow these three things mow lower, fertilize frequently, and mow frequently. If you need more information about mowing, follow this link and read more https://www.evergreenturf.com/lawn-care/mowing.php

Another thing to keep in mind is when dealing with new sod, your first mowing should start when your sod has been established for one week. You will also have to cut back on watering the sod to keep the ground firm enough and not leave any marks when you mow. Follow the general rule that you should not remove more than 1/3 of the leaf and the mower blade must be sharp when mowing for the first time on newly installed sod. Keeping your lawnmower’s blade sharp will prevent pulling and leaving yellow scalped areas on the new lawn.

You should also start thinking of the lawnmowing equipment you plan to use on your lawn as early as you can. There are generally two types of mowing equipment, and both have their pros and cons. The first type of mowing equipment is the electric or gas reel mowers. These machines have typically 7 or 10 blades and are used to mow grass up to ¾ of an inch. They tend to cost more and require more maintenance, but they give a higher quality cut as compared to the rotary push mowers and can mow as low as 1/3 of an inch. They are recommended for any type of grass

On the other hand, rotary push mowers, or more commonly, push mowers, can be used to mow lawns between 3/4 to 3 inches. They are cheaper, hardier, and require less maintenance as compared to electric or gas reel mowers but they don’t produce as good as cut. They also can’t cut below ¾ of an inch which makes for a less crisp look to your lawn. However, they are ideal for Midiron, Paspalum, St. Augustine, and Celebration Bermudagrass variants.

Be Careful with Weed Control

Herbicides are substances that kill or prevent the growth of plants in an area. You can use them to keep your lawn safe from unwanted plants and weeds and keep your lawn looking amazing. There are several kinds of herbicides you can use and one of them is called post-emergent herbicides. These substances affect weeds after they have sprouted and established themselves on your lawn. On the other hand, there are herbicides called pre-emergent herbicides that are used before you can observe any signs of weeds.

Post-emergence herbicides can control existing weed growth and help prevent future ones but can be dangerous for certain kinds of plants and sod varieties so you must use the right kind of herbicides for your use. There is also a particular way you should be using them to work properly to keep the plants you want unaffected. Be sure to look into how they are used properly.

There are different kinds of post-emergent weed killers. They generally fall under systemic and contact herbicides.  Systemics are the most effective when used on perennial or long-time weeds since it goes directly into the plant for the best results. On the other hand, contact herbicides only kill the exposed portions of the plant and are effective on annuals or smaller weeds since killing the exposed parts would likely lead to the whole plant dying.

Knowing the right kind of herbicide to use can determine whether or not your efforts kill only the weeds and not affect the plants you want to be unaffected. This requires an understanding of the substance and its careful application.

Pre-emergent herbicides are generally more effective to control weeds before they have grown, while post-emergent herbicides can be used any time after the weeds have grown. Be careful though, as a lot of post-emergent herbicides could damage the lawn if used too much or applied at the wrong time. Always read the instructions on using herbicides before applying any kind of chemical to your sod grass lawns. You can learn more here https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/weeds/post-emergent-herbicides.htm.

Conclusion

Taking care of new sod can be easy as long as you know the basics of sod care. Many people don’t take the time and effort to learn this and as a result, they find a less than ideal looking patch of land. This costs them time, money, and effort when they simply could have done a little bit of research. These simple tips and tricks to take care of your newly installed lawn will be helpful to you as you begin your taking proper and active care of your lawn.

If you would rather remove the guesswork on your lawn care and choose to ask professionals for help, contact Evergreen Turf today. We have been in the industry since 1999, and we pride ourselves in being a locally owned and operated Arizona sod farm.

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.

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!

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?” 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.

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:

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.

A question we get asked frequently around here is…

“How often should I fertilize Bermuda grass?”

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!