How to Lay Dormant Sod

Bare and exposed sites need immediate erosion control. No need to let winter dormancy hold you back, Zoysia, Centipede, and Bermuda can be installed when dormant (or “brown”).

Dormant sod is simply “sleeping” until weather warms and it grows and greens up again. There is some risk when installing dormant sod but it is minimal in most winters. Proper soil preparation, sod installation, and then proper maintenance will further assure a successful spring recovery. Rooting is the true indication of successful sod establishment and though some rooting may occur in warm winters, real root and leaf growth begin in the spring.

Provide dormant sod the best opportunity to green-up in the spring by following these steps:

• First, read How to Lay Sod
• Lay sod perpendicular to any slope (rather than horizontally with the slop) because sod will probably not root extensively in dormancy. The weight of the unrolled sod will provide the erosion control needed through the winter months. Remember to lay sod pieces like stacked cement blocks (or bricks) by staggering the joints in each row.
  
• Roll sod to insure good soil/sod contact. Eliminating air pockets below the sod will also help prevent excessive drying and possible winter damage from desiccation.
• Water dormant sod when temperatures and use restrictions allow. Water once at installation and subsequently spot water areas prone to wind desiccation, like tops of mounds and berms. Though little growth occurs in the winter months where temperatures stay cold, the turf root can be damaged by dry winter winds. In colder climates make certain in-ground automatic systems are properly drained to avoid winter damage to your lawn.
• Avoid use of weed control chemicals until the sod is well rooted in the spring. The one exception to this rule is the use of broadleaf weed control chemicals with 2,4-D, which can be applied only in accordance with label instructions. Winter weeds commonly occur even in newly sodded lawns that are properly fertilized and watered – if this should occur, mow and discard clippings. Application of the appropriate weed and feed material approved specifically for your lawn grass is recommended once sod is rooted (can’t be easily pulled free of soil).
• Once turf begins to green-up in the spring follow instructions in our Maintenance Guide for the specific turfgrass you have installed.