Whether you are starting fresh after a new build, repairing damage following construction, or improving a struggling lawn, there is a lot of work to be done if you want to have a beautiful yard.
The sod installation experts at Ware Landscaping are adept at providing lush, vibrant yards for home and business owners in Palatine, Illinois.
We have decades of experience, and we use that experience to help our clients get the lawn they’ve been dreaming of. We use hardy, native grasses that thrive in Northeastern Illinois, and we answer your questions every step of the way!
When you choose Ware Landscaping for sod installation, you can expect:
Thorough soil preparation
Proper drainage
Smooth grading
Seamless sod connections
Sustainable practices
We won’t overlook a single detail because we know you wouldn’t, either. The result of our work is a stunning, sustainable lawn to appreciate for years to come.
Let Ware Landscaping make your lawn dreams a reality.
Growing a New Lawn vs. Installing Sod
If you look at your lawn and see nothing but problems, that can feel pretty overwhelming. Maybe you have already tried growing new grass, patching holes, or fixing drainage issues on your own, but it hasn’t worked. Maybe you even hired someone to fix the lawn and they didn’t do a good job.
Some of the issues you may see in your yard include:
Completely bare yard due to construction or renovation
If you need to make significant improvements to your yard, you will likely need to decide between the two best ways to fix a seriously damaged yard: installing sod or planting a whole new yard from seed.
There are reasons to choose each option, so let’s look at which one may be best for your specific circumstances.
When to install sod
Installing sod is best when:
You need to grow a new lawn quickly
Your yard is experiencing erosion damage
The weather is right – sod is best in spring or fall, rather than the heat of summer or cold of winter
You need an entirely new lawn
When to seed a new lawn
Although we love the look of a newly sodded yard, we also know that some situations are a better fit for new seed.
New seed is recommended when:
You have plenty of time
You have a smaller budget
Your preferred grass type is not available in sod form
Your soil needs a lot of improvements
It’s late spring/early summer, late summer/early fall
It’s winter and you want to try dormant seeding
Our Sod Installation Process
What can you expect when you choose Ware Landscaping for your Palatine sod installation project?
First, our team will come to your Palatine property for a consultation where we will learn about your vision and discuss the ways that we can make it happen.
If you decide that sod is the right choice, we’ll review the different grass varieties that are ideal for the Palatine climate. Our premium sod options are grown in similar soil as yours to ensure perfect integration.
To prepare the soil, we will hydrate the installation area and do any other additional prep work necessary.
With expert care, we’ll lay the sod and create an instant aesthetic improvement in your yard.
After the initial watering, we’ll show you how much and how often to water your new grass.
For continued success, you can schedule ongoing follow-up visits and maintenance. We’re here to help your lawn thrive!
If you have questions after the installation, just let us know! Our team is always happy to answer questions, come back to check out any problems, and provide you with plenty of resources and support.
Palatine Sod Installation FAQs
We answer a lot of questions about creating a beautiful yard. Here are answers to some of the questions we hear the most.
Is there a best time to install sod in Northeastern Illinois?
It is important to avoid both extreme heat and extreme cold when sodding a yard. Palatine and the surrounding areas certainly have plenty of both! That’s why we recommend scheduling your sod installation in the early spring or early fall.
Our spring sod installation schedule is often packed full of homeowners getting new lawns, so we recommend booking your Palatine sod service early.
What sod is best for Palatine, Illinois?
In any area, native grasses are always going to thrive more than non-native grasses.
What does that mean for us in Palatine? You want to choose a cool-season grass that will do well despite our cold winters. Good choices include:
Kentucky bluegrass
Tall fescue
Perennial ryegrass
We recommend avoiding warm-season grasses like Zoysia and Bermuda. These will struggle through the cold Illinois winters.
Geography is not the only factor to consider when choosing a variety of grass for your yard. You also need to think about how much sun or shade your grass will get. Tall fescue does well with moderate shade, but fine fescue would be a better choice for significant or total shade. Most grass varieties require 3-4 hours of full sun every day.
Is installing sod a good DIY project?
As a company full of people who love working hard and doing hands-on projects, we understand the appeal of DIY sod installation!
If you choose to install the sod yourself, please make sure that you know exactly what you’re doing. Unfortunately, there is a lot that can go wrong!
Preparing the ground properly is crucial before installing new sod in Palatine. Start by clearing the area completely–remove any weeds, debris, old grass, or plants where the new sod will be placed. Till the soil thoroughly to a depth of 4-6 inches, breaking up any compaction. Rake and level the area so it’s flat and even.
We recommend mixing in 1-2 inches of quality compost which provides nutrients for the sod and improves drainage. Test the soil pH and add any amendments needed to create ideal growing conditions. Moistening the soil before laying the sod helps with initial water absorption.
Sod prep can be challenging – don’t feel like you have to do it on your own. Our landscaping professionals handle all ground preparation and sod installation for beautiful lawns in Palatine so that you don’t have to lift a finger.
How much water does new sod need?
If there is one thing you have to get right after installing your sod, it’s providing your new lawn with the right amount of water!
We recommend watering your new sod once or twice a day for the first 2-3 weeks. Each time, apply about 1.5 inches of water per watering session, which is typically about 20 minutes of watering time.
You can reduce the frequency as the roots become more established. We will walk you through the specific instructions when we are done so that you can feel confident in caring for your lawn!
The sod should be fully rooted and established within 2-3 months of installation, at which point you can practice your normal watering methods.
When can you mow sod?
Avoid mowing for 10-14 days after the sod is installed. Then, after it is placed, use sharp mower blades at a height of 3 inches.
You’re going to want to avoid heavy foot or mowing traffic for about 3-4 weeks after installation, which gives the grass plenty of time to establish new roots.
What are some key takeaways from our exploration of installing sod in Palatine? Well, there are several considerations you have to make when selecting and installing sod.
Timeline: Sod establishes faster than seed, which is why sod is almost always the preferred option for fast results.
Intended use: Your sod choice will be influenced by how you plan to use your yard. A family that spends a lot of time outdoors, playing in the yard and entertaining, will need more durable grass than a house where there will be minimal activity.
Water: Make sure you can meet the water needs of your chosen sod before you install it. It takes more water to establish sod in the first few weeks, but seeding a new lawn takes more water over time.
Sunlight: The amount of sun vs. shade will determine which sod will thrive in your yard. Ware Landscaping will advise you on the varieties that are best suited for your yard.
Maintenance: How much lawn maintenance do you want to do? Some grasses are lower maintenance than others. Either way, we can always provide you with worry-free maintenance plans to keep your yard looking beautiful year-round.
Benefits of hiring Ware Landscaping for your Palatine sod installation
We serve Palatine and the surrounding areas with pride! The neighborhoods of Palatine are beautiful, and we want to help your home or business look gorgeous, too.
As you consider your options, we are confident that you will find us at the top of your list of landscapers. Some of the benefits of working with Ware include:
We offer a completely relaxed, no-obligation consultation to look at your yard and discuss your vision and goals
We prioritize your ideas for your yard, rather than presenting you with cookie-cutter options
Get a free consultation: Contact Ware Landscaping today
Whether you need to repair problem areas or sod your entire lawn, contact our Palatine sod installation team here at Ware Landscaping to schedule a consultation.
“I contacted Mike at Ware Landscaping for help with fixing my flooded backyard and garage. Mike gave me an honest assessment of my situation and recommended the right system to fix my problems (a lot of issues). Ware Landscaping installed drainage, underground downspouts, underground sump pump lines, driveway drains and surface drains in the yard to fix all my problems.. The team was very professional and always asked for my approval on work being done before it was completed. They did a great job and we are very pleased!”
Jim Kristof
I recommend him without any hesitation.
“We had a water problem in our basement that Mike Ware completely eliminated by removing both our sump pump water and downspout water away from the home. He was professional and highly motivated to solve the problem and do it the right way. I always felt like a priority and that my project mattered. I recommend him without any hesitation.”
Michael Swider
FANTASTIC JOB!!!
Ware Landscaping did a FANTASTIC JOB!!! I needed my entire backyard regraded and they filled it in with more than 2 truck loads, installed a French drain and put new beautiful green sod on top. They also power washed and reset my front retaining wall. Communication from the beginning was always very good. We always knew when they were coming out. The project was completed on time as well. They also called on their own a month after the project to check on the sod and were willing to replace some spots due to the June heat wave. Would recommend Ware Landscaping to all!!!”
Dan Malloy
The entire crew were incredible, so friendly, knowledgeable, and paid attention to every detail.
“Mike, Greg and the rest of the crew made our back yard dream a reality with a drainage system to remove the stream that flowed through the middle of the yard, which flooded every rainstorm and stuck around for weeks. To complete the look in came a perfectly designed beautiful hardscape patio that we can’t wait to use this summer. The entire crew were incredible, so friendly, knowledgeable, and paid attention to every detail. Highly recommend!”
Katie Jankowski
The crew was fast, friendly, and tidy.
“We had a wooden deck for a front porch that was starting to age. When we removed it we saw that there was a concrete slab underneath it that was pitched toward our house, creating an issue with standing water up against our foundation. We had Mike come by to advise us on the best solution, and he suggested permeable pavers. We were able to come up with a custom design with him that day. The crew was fast, friendly, and tidy. I’m sure they do much bigger jobs than our little patio, but this project made a huge difference for our home.
