Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about our grasses, orders, and lawn care. Can't find what you need? Reach our team on the contact page.
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From the natural turfgrass experts — breeding, licensing, and lawn care guidance.
Product Questions
- Measure the Area: Measure the length and width of your lawn with a tape measure or use our Online Area Calculator Tool. Multiply these numbers to get the total square footage.
- Adjust for Irregular Shapes: For irregularly shaped areas, divide the space into smaller sections, measure each, and add the totals together.
- Add Extra Sod: Add 5-10% extra to your total square footage to account for cutting and fitting around edges, curves, or obstacles.
- Calculate Sod Pallets: Divide your adjusted total square footage by 400-500 (the typical coverage per pallet) to determine the number of pallets needed.
Choosing the right grass depends on your location, climate, soil type, and how you plan to use your lawn. You'll need to consider things like climate, hours of sunlight, soil type, traffic level, and aesthetic preferences. Check out this article for more information-Types of Sod for Your Lawn.
- Attach the Bottle: Simply connect the Lawnifi® bottle to your garden hose using the included hose-end sprayer.
- Apply Evenly: Turn on water, turn the switch on the bottle to "On", and spray evenly across your lawn, moving in a back-and-forth pattern. Each bottle covers about 5,000 square feet.
- Water it In: After applying, lightly water your lawn to help the fertilizer soak into the soil.
- Reapply as Needed: Follow the application schedule on the bottle for best results. Typically, Lawnifi® should be applied every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.
Depending on the product you are purchasing it may require some tools. At all times we recommend to follow the product label for the product you intend on applying. For granular product that usually is sold in larger bags with a lot of solid granules, you will need a spreader of some sort. We offer the Scotts Whirl Hand-Powered Spreader which is perfect for smaller lawns up to about 1/2 an acre. If you have a larger lawn, or apply a lot of granular products on your lawn, you may want to look into a larger spreader which has wheels. For liquid, powdered or wettable granule products you will need a sprayer of some sort. There are backpack sprayers that can contain 4 gallons of liquid or hand-held sprayers that hold 1 - 2 gallons of liquid. Additionally, for very large properties you may need a tow-behind tank sprayer that can attach to your lawn mower.
Every lawn has its own set of issues. There are certain issues that are more common based on your weather, location, and the time of the year which can help us identify your specific issue. We offer many guides which can help you self diagnose and treat your problem, but unless we were on your property we may not be able to diagnose your exact problem. If you send us a message on our contact us page, someone from our customer service will review and provide feedback with our professional opinion and a list of potential actions to help remedy your issue.
We research, develop, promote, and sell improved turfgrass varieties. We license sod farms to grow and sell our improved varieties and provide web and software development services to our network of farms and distributors. You can learn more in the video to the right.
You can order our high-quality grasses directly from Sod Solutions through our website. Use our Shop Now feature to browse available varieties and have your sod delivered straight to your home.
One of our company mottos is "Right Grass, Right Place." There are two main factors to consider when choosing a variety:
- Environment (climate, rainfall, shade)
- Use (traffic level, desired aesthetic, budget)
With these in mind, we recommend using a combination of our Sod Selector that allows you to enter your location and needs to see top results and Where to Buy to see availability in your area.
Shade is one of the most challenging landscape issues. To discover which grass might be best for shade in your area, use our Turf Selector tool. Keep in mind that shaded areas will typically stay wet longer (higher risk of fungus/disease), are less able to recover from heavy traffic, and will usually compete with tree roots for water and nutrients. Keep in mind that ALL grass is grown in full sun so transplanting to a shady area is a big shock for the plant and extra care and attention will be needed in these situations.
Using larger beds with landscape plants better suited for shade is sometimes the best solution. Testing a couple of pieces or plugs in an area you are considering planting is the best way to determine whether an area is too shady.
Before attempting to diagnose a turf issue, we strongly recommend a soil test. This can be done through your local university extension office. Doing a quick google search for "Soil Test" in your state will yield a number of both private and public soil testing options. You can also check out our Soil Management page for more general information. That being said, poor turf performance in a landscape is usually due to one of the following:
Too much or too little water: Most of our varieties need half an inch to one inch of water per week from either irrigation, soil moisture, or rain. Spread waterings apart as much as possible and avoid watering a little bit every day. It is actually a good thing to stress your grass out a little because it will train it to put down deeper roots and hold more water inside of those roots. The most telling sign of drought stress is leaf firing or curling/shriveling of leaves followed by the grass turning brown. If you have St. Augustine, it is critical to get water into the plant at this time. If you have a Zoysia or Bermuda, the grass will simply go dormant and brown and then return to normal once watering resumes. The San Antonio Water System did a drought study showing that Celebration and Empire were both excellent performers under drought stress, surviving 90 days without ANY water. Check out the study here. Overwatering is one of the biggest lawn issues we see and it is completely unnecessary. Read more about best irrigation and watering practices on our Irrigation page.
Fungus: There are many types of fungus that can harm your lawn and it is most prevalent in Zoysia, St. Augustine, and Tall Fescue. Fungus thrives in moist soil conditions, so when the ground is constantly wet you are in danger of fungus attacking your lawn. This is another reason to avoid overwatering and/or watering frequently. The best way to prevent this is with a systemic preventative fungicide application. You will see a significant reduction of fungus pressure with a very light rate applied twice a year. Most fungus will appear symmetrical or circular. If you see this, act as quickly as possible to apply a curative fungicide. Propiconazole is the most common active ingredient used in products available at big box stores and works both as preventative and curative products at different rates. Both liquid and granular will work. If possible, try to mix up active ingredients over time and carefully follow rates to avoid harming your lawn. Read more about best disease and fungus control on our Disease Control page.
General Maintenance Problems: These include improper fertilization, poor soil, and bad mowing habits. Performing a soil test at regular intervals is the best way to ensure that you are providing your lawn and landscape with the proper nutrition it needs. Be sure to check out our Maintenance page for videos, basic lawn fundamentals, and other maintenance guides sorted by grass brands and types.
If you have had a poor experience with one of our producers, distributors, or installers, we want to hear about it so that we can follow up with them. You can reach out to us by filling out our Contact Us form. However, any warranty issues should be directed towards the producer, Authorized Distributor, or installer you purchased from.
Grass is a living product that requires special care and maintenance that is sometimes out of the seller's control. In most cases, it is not possible to guarantee you will receive healthy grass when you order. If you are struggling with maintenance, please review our Maintenance page where you can find detailed Homeowners Guides for your specific grass type.
- Wait for Root Establishment: About two weeks after installation, lightly tug on the sod to check if roots have started to take hold. If you see small white roots, it's time for the first mow. If not, wait a few more days and check again. Mow at the highest setting your mower offers for the first mow. After 30 days, adjust to your grass type's ideal height.
- Avoid Herbicides Initially: Newly laid sod is vulnerable to stressors, including weeds, and is not yet strong enough to handle herbicides. Avoid applying weed control products until you've mowed the lawn at least 3-4 times. For now, hand-pull any visible weeds.
- Spot-Treat Weeds Safely: After the first month and several mowings, if weeds persist, use a selective post-emergent herbicide to spot-treat them directly. This type of herbicide targets weeds without harming your grass when applied correctly. Avoid non-selective herbicides, as they will damage your new sod.
Grass plugs typically take 6-12 months to fill in completely, depending on the grass type, growing conditions, and care. Warm season grasses like zoysia, bermuda, and St. Augustine usually establish faster in warm weather with regular watering, fertilization, and mowing. For quicker coverage, ensure you follow proper care practices and keep the plugs well-watered, especially during the first few weeks. Consistent maintenance will help your plugs spread and fill in the gaps, creating a uniform, healthy lawn over time.
Post Purchase Questions
To check the status of your order, you can log into your account on our website. Additionally, we'll keep you informed via email at every key stage-from confirmation and processing to shipment and delivery. If you have further questions or need assistance, our customer support team is always here to help!
Your order confirmation email should arrive within an hour of your purchase. If you haven't received it, please check your junk or spam folder, as sometimes emails can be filtered there. If you still can't find it, please reach out to our customer support team, and they'll be happy to send you another copy.
Our return policy allows returns within 30 days of purchase, provided items are in new, unused condition with all original tags and packaging. Please note that sod and grass plugs cannot be returned or exchanged. To initiate a return, please contact our customer service team at support@sodsolutions.com to obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number. For more details, including our refund process and exceptions, please refer to our full policy here: Return and Refund Policy.
It's normal for grass plugs to yellow during shipping due to reduced light, oxygen, and water. Don't worry-this is temporary! Plant them as soon as possible, water regularly, and care for them as usual. With proper care, they'll bounce back to a vibrant green within two weeks.
- Test Your Soil: Before installation, conduct a soil test to check pH levels and nutrient needs. This will help you adjust your soil for optimal grass growth.
- Remove Existing Grass and Weeds: Use a non-selective herbicide to kill any existing grass, weeds, or debris. Once the area is clear, use a sod cutter or rake to remove the dead vegetation.
- Prep and Level the Soil: Loosen compacted soil, add organic matter if needed, and smooth the surface with a rake to create a level planting area.
- Moisten the Soil: Lightly water the area before planting to help new roots establish quickly. Avoid overwatering, which can create muddy conditions.
- Gather Necessary Tools: Ensure you have all tools ready, such as a rake, lawn roller, hose, or sprinkler system, and any other equipment needed for the type of product you're installing.
- Plan for Delivery: Arrange a convenient delivery location and ensure there's easy access to the planting site. Aim to install sod, seed, or plugs as soon as possible after delivery.
- Grass plugs ship Monday through Wednesday to ensure they arrive fresh.
- Sod orders are scheduled deliveries, with our support team communicating directly about timing.
- Other products usually ship within 1-2 business days after the order is placed.
If you need to change the delivery address after placing an order, please contact our customer support team as soon as possible. Most orders are processed and shipped very quickly, so the sooner you reach out, the better the chance we can update the address before it ships. Our team will do their best to assist you with any changes.
If your order status shows it was delivered but you haven't received it, we recommend contacting the shipping company first. They may have additional information about the delivery or could assist with locating your package. If you're still unable to resolve the issue, please reach out to our customer support team, and we'll work with you to ensure your order is received.
Yes, you can track your order! Simply click the tracking number provided in your shipping confirmation email. This will take you directly to the shipping provider's website, where you can view real-time updates on your order's location and estimated delivery date.
If your order arrives damaged or incorrect, please contact our customer support team immediately. If possible, include photos of the damage or any incorrect items. Our team will work with you to resolve the issue as quickly as possible, whether that means arranging a replacement, an exchange, or another solution.
To cancel your order, please contact our customer support team as quickly as possible. Orders are processed promptly, so reaching out right away gives us the best chance to cancel it before it ships. Our team will assist you with the cancellation process.
Your order confirmation email should arrive within an hour of your purchase. If you haven't received it, please check your junk or spam folder, as sometimes emails can be filtered there. If you still can't find it, please reach out to our customer support team, and they'll be happy to send you another copy.
If you need to change your order after it's been placed, please contact our customer support team as soon as possible. Since orders are processed quickly, reaching out immediately increases the chances of making the change before it ships. Our team will do their best to accommodate your request.
If your order is split into multiple shipments, it's usually because some items, like plants, are shipped directly from the farm, while other products come from our warehouse. This allows us to ensure each item is delivered to you in the best condition. You'll receive tracking information for each shipment as it goes out.
Yes, if there's a delay with your order, you should receive an email notifying you of the hold and the reason for it. Our team aims to keep you informed promptly so you know what to expect. You can also check your order status in your account for updates. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our customer support team.
If you're not home when your order is delivered, there's no need to worry-it will be left at your address like most packages. However, if your order includes grass plugs, we recommend bringing them inside and unpacking them as soon as possible to ensure they stay fresh. For any questions or concerns, our customer support team is here to help.
Yes, you can expedite your order! If you don't see expedited shipping options at checkout, please contact our customer support team. We'll be happy to provide a quote for upgraded shipping to get your order to you faster.
Lawn Care Questions
Depending on the herbicide and the goal of the herbicide application there are better or worse times to apply the herbicide. At all times we recommend following the product label for safe application to ensure you do not cause harm to your lawn or yourself. In general, pre-emergent herbicides are best to apply in the early spring to prevent summer weeds and early fall to prevent winter weeds, while post-emergent herbicides are best to apply when temperatures are below 85 degrees fahrenheit. If for example you are applying a non-selective herbicide such as glyphosate to remove all grasses and weeds, then you should be fine to apply the herbicide at any time and may have a better result in warmer weather if your goal is to remove your existing lawn and all weeds. Read more in The Best and Worst Times for Herbicide Applications.
- Spring (Best): This is the best time to plant grass plugs as temperatures are moderate, allowing grass to establish before summer heat. Keep plugs moist and watch for weeds.
- Summer (Challenging): Planting in summer is challenging due to high heat and drought risk. If you must plant, water frequently to keep the soil damp but not waterlogged. Morning and midday watering is recommended.
- Fall (Very Good): Early fall is acceptable, but plugs may not fully spread before winter dormancy. Maintain a consistent watering schedule.
- Winter (Possible): Winter planting is possible in warmer climates, but plugs will remain dormant until spring. Water regularly to prevent roots from drying out.
- Fall (Best): Ideal due to cool weather and rain. Keep the soil moist for the first 14 days and fertilize with Lawnifi® New Lawn Starter Box.
- Spring (Very Good): Great for warm-season grasses. Ensure no frost risk, keep sod moist, and watch for sudden hot days.
- Summer (Challenging): Frequent watering is crucial to prevent drought stress; avoid overwatering shaded areas to reduce disease risk.
- Winter (Possible): Sod stays dormant but needs regular watering to keep roots healthy.
We recommend the New Lawn Starter Box with the Lawnifi program. It has all the tools your grass needs to get a healthy lawn established by increasing green up speeds, building healthy soils, and thickening lawns to prevent weeds.
Weeds can appear in new sod due to weed seeds present in the soil, transportation, or environmental factors. Newly laid sod has open soil and gaps between seams, making it easier for weed seeds to germinate. To control weeds, start mowing your sod regularly once it's established and apply a pre-emergent or selective post-emergent herbicide safe for your grass type. Proper lawn care, like watering, fertilizing, and mowing, will help the sod grow thicker and outcompete weeds over time.
- Adjust Your Watering: If you collect too little, increase run time; if too much, reduce it.
- Watch Your Lawn: Look for signs like folded or bluish-gray grass blades indicating thirst.
- Consider Weather & Soil: Water more in hot, dry conditions and adjust for your soil type.
- Test Your Soil: Before removing the old grass, test your soil to ensure it has the right pH and nutrient balance for optimal grass growth.
- Kill and Remove Old Grass: Use a non-selective herbicide to kill all existing vegetation. Once the grass is dead, use a sod cutter or rototiller to remove the top layer of grass and debris.
- Prep and Level the Soil: Loosen compacted soil with a rake or hoe, add organic matter, and smooth out the surface. This will help new roots penetrate deeply and establish a dense, healthy lawn.
- Moisten the Soil: Lightly water the area before laying the new sod to help the grass roots connect with the soil.
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Improper Watering: Overwatering or underwatering can cause stress, leading to yellow patches.
- Mitigation: Adjust your watering schedule to provide about 1 inch of water per week, split into 2-3 sessions, and ensure water is penetrating the soil evenly.
- Nutrient Deficiency: A lack of essential nutrients like nitrogen, iron, or potassium can cause yellowing.
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Pet Urine: Pet urine, especially from dogs, can cause yellow or brown spots due to its high nitrogen content.
- Mitigation: Train pets to use designated areas and water the spots immediately to dilute the nitrogen. Learn more here.
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Mowing Issues: Mowing too low or with dull blades can stress the grass, resulting in yellow spots.
- Mitigation: Mow at the recommended height for your grass type and sharpen mower blades regularly to prevent damage.
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Pests and Diseases: Pests like grubs or diseases such as fungal infections can also cause yellow spots.
- Mitigation: Inspect your lawn for signs of pests or disease, and treat with appropriate pest control or fungicide products as needed.
- Prepare the Area: Remove debris, dead grass, and weeds. Loosen the soil and level the surface.
- Overseeding or Planting Grass Plugs: Choose grass seed that matches your lawn or plant grass plugs 9-12 inches apart. Lightly cover with soil, water thoroughly, and keep moist until established.
- Water Regularly: Water daily until seeds germinate or plugs root, then gradually reduce watering.
- Fertilize and Maintain: Apply a starter fertilizer like Lawnifi® New Lawn Starter Box to promote growth, and mow once the grass reaches the appropriate height.
- Improper Watering: Overwatering or underwatering stresses grass. Aim for 1 inch of water per week.
- Mowing Issues: Mowing too short or with dull blades can damage grass. Mow at the proper height and keep blades sharp.
- Pests: Insects like grubs or chinch bugs damage roots. Inspect your lawn and treat pests as needed.
- Fungal Diseases: Fungi thrive in warm, wet conditions. Water early in the day and reduce shade to improve air circulation. Apply a fungicide to treat any ongoing issues.
- Nutrient Deficiencies: Lack of nutrients, especially nitrogen, can cause browning. Apply fertilizer, such as Lawnifi®.
Professional Services and Partnerships
If you're interested in joining our network, please email us at support@sodsolutions.com. Our team will guide you through the application process and answer any questions you have.
Specifying Sod Solutions products for your project is easy! We offer detailed specification documents, product guides, and expert support to help you choose the best turfgrass for your needs. For personalized assistance, please email support@sodsolutions.com. Our team will provide all the resources you need to successfully incorporate our grasses into your project.
Yes, we offer support for large-scale or specialized projects, including guidance on grass selection, project planning, and logistics. If you need assistance, please email us at support@sodsolutions.com, and our team will provide expert advice and answer any questions you have to ensure your project's success.
