Sod installation is one of the best ways to attain that perfect lawn. Whether you are starting from scratch after a new build or working to improve and enhance the yard you have now, Ware Landscaping is ready to help.
When you choose Ware Landscaping as your sod installation company, our Hinsdale sod and seed professionals will design a perfect lawn for the weather and climate of Northern Illinois. We will help you determine if you need to install sod or seed a new lawn, and when you are ready, we will handle every step of the installation.
By the end of the sod installation process, your Hinsdale lawn will be gorgeous, healthy, and sustainable!
Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about sod installation and lawn seeding!
Sod Installation vs. Lawn Seeding: Which Is Best?
It’s easy for homeowners and business owners to spot problems with a struggling lawn.
Issues could include:
- A large bare patch or many small bare patches
- Thin grass throughout the lawn or in a few places
- Poor drainage
- Erosion damage
- Brown patches and dead grass
- Weeds
- Moles & other nuisance animals
- Damage from pet waste
And of course, if you have a completely bare yard because you just built a home or completed a project that tore up your lawn, you already know that you have some sod installation or seeding to do!
Sod vs. seed is dependent upon a number of factors – and it’s unique to your yard!
When is it best to install sod?
Installing sod is best for the following situations:
- You need to establish a new lawn very quickly
- You need to repair or prevent erosion issues
- It’s outside of the summer months or dormant winter months when grass seed can get established
- You have a lot of patchy areas
When is it best to seed a new lawn?
On the other hand, seeding a new lawn is ideal in the following scenarios:
- You need to be more conservative in your budget
- You have plenty of time to get the lawn established
- You want more options for what kind of seed you want to grow
- You need to amend the soil significantly before working on the lawn
- It’s the right time of year for seeding a lawn
How Ware Landscaping makes lawns beautiful by installing sod
Sod is often the best solution for a flawless, beautiful lawn – especially if you want to get it done quickly.
The sod installation experts at Ware Landscaping will help you decide what type of grass works best for your property. We source the highest quality sods, with extensive knowledge of what will grow and thrive in Northern Illinois.
A step-by-step overview in sod installation
This is what to expect when you work with Ware:
- First, we’ll walk you through your options for sod that has been rooted in soils that are similar to Illinois’ mineral-rich ground.
- We will prepare your property’s soil bed, watering it thoroughly.
- The sod we install will look amazing from the day it is installed!
- We will water the new sod and show you exactly how frequently and how much to water your new sod so that it can establish good root development and thrive.
- We can schedule follow-ups to help you keep your lawn looking amazing.
We’re also available to answer your questions, even after installation. If you have any concerns about your new grass, let us know so that we can help you find the right solution!
Hinsdale Sod Installation FAQs
Yes, we are always happy to answer questions about your lawn, landscaping, garden, or hardscaping. That includes the sod installation process.
To make it even easier for you to get the information you need, here are some of the most frequently asked questions we hear about sod installation.
When is the best time to install sod in Northern Illinois?
Spring and fall are ideal for sod installation, as the temperature is mild. We recommend that you avoid installing in the summer heat or in the freezing winter. Our busiest sod-laying seasons are from April to May and September to October. (Schedule early to ensure that we can install your sod at the perfect time!)
What type of sod is best for Northern Illinois?
Cool season grasses like tall fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, and perennial ryegrass are most suitable for the Hinsdale climate. Avoid warm season grasses like zoysia or bermuda.
How should I prepare the ground before laying sod?
If you are installing sod on your own, you will need to completely remove any weeds, debris, and old grass that is in the dirt. Till the soil 4-6 inches deep, then level the area and amend with compost. This will improve your drainage. Moisten the soil before laying the sod. (Pro tip: we can do this for you and save you hours of hard work!)
What is the proper way to install sod?
We will stagger strips of sod tightly together – like bricks. Our installers will use a sharp utility knife to cut the pieces to fit your yard and look perfect against any hardscaping like sidewalks, patios, and decks. We’ll tamp the edges firmly against each other, and when we’re done, we will rod the sod to ensure good contact with the soil. This is what allows the roots to begin to grow into their new ground.
How often and how much should I water newly laid sod?
This is one of the most important questions you can ask! Water daily – or more than once a day if the weather is hot – for 2-3 weeks. You will want to apply about 1.5 inches of water each time. That means that your whole lawn should receive water for about 20 minutes. Once the roots establish, you can slowly reduce the frequency of watering. Your sod should be established and thriving within about 2 months.
When can I mow newly installed sod?
Another great question. You should wait 10-14 days after laying the sod to mow. Cut with a sharp mower with the blades set high (3 inches). Avoid heavy foot or mower traffic on sod for 3-4 weeks after installation.
How long does it take for sod to fully root and get established?
With good installation and consistent watering, sod knits into the soil within 2-3 weeks. Protect the lawn from regular use for 3-4 weeks, and then continue to water and pay close attention to the sod for another 2-3 months as the roots fully develop.
How do I care for my sod long-term?
Once the roots have grown into the ground and the sod is fully established, you can water it infrequently. Fertilization 2-3 times a year will help your lawn stay healthy and green. Don’t forget to dethatch and aerate your yard periodically to avoid compaction. Mowing your lawn should be done at the proper height for the grass variety you have chosen – we can help you with that!
What else should I consider when choosing and installing sod?
Here are some of the factors to take into consideration when you are sodding your yard:
- Time: How soon do you need the perfect lawn? Sodding is much faster than seeding a new lawn.
- Climate: The climate in Northern Illinois affects when you can install new sod. Trust your landscaping experts at Ware to help you choose the best time. If the weather is unseasonably hot, cold, or dry, we may need to adjust the plan accordingly.
- Use: How will you use the grass in your yard? The best grass for a home with lots of kids playing outside might be different from the grass that is best for an ornamental lawn at an historical home.
- Water: Your sod will need to be watered regularly as it gets established. Access to water is commonly a key factor in deciding the best time of grass that will thrive at your property.
- Light: Your choice of grass is also going to be affected by how much sun or shade the area gets. Some grasses do better in shady locations than others, and the same goes for sunny areas.
- Maintenance: How much watering, mowing, weeding, and other lawn maintenance are you prepared to do? If you want a high-maintenance grass but are worried about having the time to maintain it, our Ware Landscaping professionals can help.
The benefits of hiring Ware Landscaping for your Hinsdale sod installation
We know you have options in Hinsdale, but we are proud to offer the best sod installation services in Northern Illinois.
Some the benefits of working with our professional team of experienced sod installers include:
- Free, in-person consultation with no obligation to schedule services
- Attentiveness to your specific needs and dreams for your lawn
- Extensive knowledge of what sods work well in Hinsdale
- The best native grasses that require minimal chemicals and less water
- Adjustment of plans if the weather conditions threaten successful installation (drought, extreme heat, extreme cold, etc.)
- Great follow-up and maintenance plans available
- Environmentally-friendly sod installation strategies
- A more sustainable yard
- Safer sod for your family, pets, guests, customers, workers, or other visitors
Contact Ware Landscaping for a free consultation
If you’re ready to sod your lawn, address problems areas, or even just get advice on your options for repairing and improving your yard, contact our experienced Hinsdale sod installation team at Ware Landscaping.
Contact us today at (312) 529-4633 to learn more about how we can help you create a beautiful, functional, and sustainable yard.
