Ludema & Boyink Sod Farm

Sod Frequently Asked Questions

• How do I remove existing vegetation before I lay sod?
• Is our sod grown on Peat Moss/Organic or Mineral Soil?
• What do the numbers for fertilizer mean?
• Do you offer "Class B" or sod with weeds in it?
• What does "Class A" Sod mean?
• Why do I have mushrooms in my sod?
• When can't sod be cut?
• How far down from the sidewalk/driveway should the soil be when preparing to lay sod?
• When is the best time of year to lay sod?
• Do I need top soil?

How do I remove existing vegetation before I lay sod?

1. Use Round Up Tm to kill vegetation.
2. Till up top 4 - 6 inches, if not getting top soil. Leaving dead grass/weed in soil is okay, but eliminate sticks and big stones.
3. Wait one week before laying sod.

Back to Top

Is our sod grown on Peat Moss/Organic or Mineral Soil?

Our sod is grown on Peat Moss. The decomposed Peat Moss is what forms the black muck dirt that makes up the top 12” of the soil.

Back to Top

What do the numbers for fertilizer mean?

Fertilizer is listed as 3 consecutive numbers, for example, 12-12-12. The first number is the percentage of Nitrogen (encourages top growth) in the fertilizer. The second number is the percentage of Phosphorous (encourages root growth). And the third number is the percentage of Potassium (makes the grass strong). The more Nitrogen in the fertilizer the darker green your lawn will be. Use 1 1/2 lbs of fertilizer for every 10 sq ft.

Back to Top

Do you offer "Class B" or sod with weeds in it?

Contact Us for availability

Back to Top

What does "Class A" Sod mean?

"Class A” Sod is grown from a premium seed blend and will have very minimal weeds, if any.

Back to Top

Why do I have mushrooms in my sod?

When the ground is too wet, mushrooms may appear. The mushrooms will go away when the ground becomes drier. Sometimes this is due to weather, sometimes you may be over-watering your sod. Mushrooms are not harmful to your sod; they grow from airborne spores and do not affect the roots of your grass.

Back to Top

When can't sod be cut?

When there is frost or snow on the ground, sod can not be cut. Our sod fields are very low lying areas which makes them cooler and more likely to be frosted over even if most areas are not. Sod also can not be cut when the ground is frozen; the sod simply breaks up when it is cut. Frozen ground is usually only a concern in late November and December.

Back to Top

How far down from the sidewalk/driveway should the soil be when preparing to lay sod?

1 to 1 1/2 inches, because the sod usually is 1 1/2 inches of roots and soil, and then the grass is about 1/2 inch long.

Back to Top

When is the best time of year to lay sod?

Any time when sod is being cut is good time to lay sod. Sod is not normally cut in January, February or March because the ground is too frozen and there is often snow on the ground. The spring is a good time to lay sod because the spring rains and cool weather will mean you will have to water the sod less. Sod can also be laid in the heat of summer; just be prepared to keep it moist until it is firmly rooted. Fall is a good time to lay sod because of the cool weather. Your new sod will require less water in the fall. November and December are also great months to lay sod. You won't need to water it very much. The sod will remain dormant and then begin to take root and green up in the spring.

Back to Top

Do I need top soil?

That is hard to say without doing a soil analysis. General rule of thumb is that the better quality the top 4 -6 inches of soil are, the more nutrients the soil will store for the grass, which will make the grass look better and be thicker. Good top soil also holds water better. You would want to consider top soil if your soil is composed of more than 50% clay or sand. Sandy areas will also need to be fertilized and watered more frequently. Some clay isn’t bad, since it retains moisture, which means you will be watering your grass less often. If your soil is of decent quality, simply till up the top 4 - 6 inches to loosen up the soil so that the sod can take root.

Back to Top