The Benefits of Fall Sod Installation: Why November is a Great Time to Lay Sod
You might think that early spring is the best time to install new sod for your lawn, and it is in some states. However, in Southern states like Florida and Texas, November is one of the best times of year to do it. Depending on the strain that you use, sod installation in November can be the perfect way to ensure that your lawn will end up lush, green, and healthy come springtime.
Here’s a closer look at why November time is one of the busiest and most important months of the year for us here at Duda Sod.
November Has Great Temperatures for Sod Installation
While Florida and other Southern states tend to have great weather year-round, things start to cool off in November. Daily average high temperatures in Florida range from 64 to 79 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s not chilly and not quite hot, so it’s the perfect range for laying new sod. If you install sod when it’s too hot, it can put heat stress on the sod, and your efforts might go to waste. This allows for better root establishment. It takes a lot of water to get your new sod to take root, which we’ll discuss below. The nice thing about cooler temperatures is that you won’t deal with as much evaporation.
November Gets Good Natural Moisture
When you install new sod in Southern states, you have to provide it with approximately 2 inches of water per day to establish it. That can put a strain on your monthly water bill. While November is technically in the “dry season” in Florida, the state still gets an average of about 5 inches of rainfall this month. This can help supplement your watering needs. While the summer months bring the most rainfall, the high temperatures make it more of a challenge to establish new sod properly.
Lawns Are Used Less in November
While November isn’t exactly what people in other states would call “cool” or “chilly,” it feels that way to Floridians. People are less likely to use their lawns outside or throw outdoor parties in November. Less foot traffic on your sod installation means it has more time to settle and develop roots without anyone trampling it.
Great Temperatures for Sod Installation
Daily high temperatures in South Florida can remain in the mid-70s in January. In other parts of the state, however, it can dip into the 50s in the winter. Temps will stay in the 60s and 70s through November, though, and that’s perfect for allowing your sod to develop a robust root system before winter. In some states, grass will be dormant during winter, but you want the root system to stay active.
Less Maintenance Required in the Fall
You can do a sod replacement almost any time of year in Florida, but it’s going to require less maintenance if you do it in November. You may need to overwater the sod during the summer months to account for heat stress and evaporation. A few inches of water per week in November should be ideal for establishing a sound root system before winter. Once the winter months arrive, your lawn might only need an inch of water per week. You can also let the grass grow slightly longer during the winter, which means mowing less frequently.
Contact Florida’s Sod Experts
At Duda Sod, we provide several different varieties of sod that are suitable for Florida lawns. We have Zoysia, Bahia, and St. Augustine available. All varieties are available through our Lake Placid, Oviedo, and Melbourne, FL locations.