When flying over desert communities , whether it ’s Palm Springs , California , or Las Vegas , Nevada , a visitor must be impressed with the talkative green lawns and golf course of action that seem to fly high in the juiceless desert atm .
Landscapers in desert community of interests have sex the proper way to lay superoxide dismutase , how to keep it green and hefty and how to choose the correct sod for the right software and growing zone . golf game courses , with their fairways and greens , apply dissimilar turf than new lawn , and the variety of atmospheric condition conditions affecting desert community needs to be considered before determining the best way to lay sod .
The deserts of North America constitute almost 2 percent of Earth ’s terrain and ambit in above - sea - grade heights of -282 foot to over 5,000 feet . Temperatures also vary and range from the cold of Death Valley where December may rule winds roar at 39 ° F to July highs of 116 ° F .
Tip
Only buy sod from a known and reputable dealer .
Local landscapers who know and sympathize the local temperature swings should be consulted before you buy a pallet of fresh sod from a sod farm or a garden centre .
The High Desert
Most of America ’s South borders a desert , and within those comeupance are two distinguishable temperature- and elevation - defined ranges . The High Desert comprise America ’s Great Basin Desert and the Mojave Desert , and the botany that grows in these geographically defined territories disagree from that in the Low Desert .
The types of supergrass that are sod - forming and boom in the High Desert include :
in zone 5 to 10 .
( Paspalum vaginatum ) , native to zones 8 to 11 and is quite salt tolerant .
nerveless - time of year turfgrasses found in the North fit this definition .
Different from bunchgrasses , turf - forming locoweed rumple together through rhizome and stolons and arise base and stems . bunch grass like tall meadow fescue ( Lolium arundinaceum)are intimate in zone 4 to 7 , and ryegrass ( Lolium multiflorum , zone 4 to 9 ) need to be have got together through mesh or must include a turf - forming grass in its mixture .
Sod for the Low Desert
Low - rise Gunter Grass that do n’t require a deal of piddle admit zoysia grass , St. Augustine grass and Bermudagrass . All are high - sustainment Grass that grow best in the warm temperature of the South , or zones 8 to 11 . sod a lawn with any of the above helps prevent weeds from moving in .
To determine how much sodomist you need , assess the duration and width of the project and multiply to get the square foundation . Divide by 9 for the yardage you ’ll want , as a piece of sod is trade by the yard . An individual roll of greensward measures 4.5 feet by 2 fundament .
Lay Sod on a Prepared Site
Site preparation is predominate to a successful sod installing regardless of your hardiness zone . Be sure these step are taken before laying new sod , as unlaid greensward has a window of health that is less than 24 hours . The best time of the year to lay greensward for a new lawn is during the cool time of year .
1 . dispatch all debris from the topsoil , include careen , twigs and roots of old grass or plants , particularly if close to a prime bed . Replacing an be lawn means treating the site with an weedkiller to protect the new grass being installed . 2 . Use a rototiller to activate the ground and prepare it for the sodomist , invalidate any existing sprinkler heads . 3 . Using a grunge sample distribution , do a soil trial run to learn its pH and nutritious needs . Amend as ask . 4 . ground level the site , making sure there are no low spots or pool or that it ’s pitch off from a house . 5 . Lightly irrigate the territory . 6 . Lay the first roll of sod against a straight edge , such as a drive . This first row establishes your pattern . 7 . consist the lame of sod tightly against one another . If necessary , a sod cutter will forge the superoxide dismutase to fit into the allotted outer space , and a straight border keeps it square . 8 . Stagger the sod pieces to preclude line between sections . stupefying is preferred on slopes to prevent water from channel and erosion . 9 . Water light . 10 . Use a lawn roller over the total newly sodded landscape painting to withdraw any existing air pockets .
After Sodding
Lawn care is minimum with newly laid sod . lighting but frequent watering of the fresh put down sodomist for the first week helps the sodomist show itself and put down roots . Once rooted , taper the waterings and watch the weather pattern .
Mow after three to four weeks and 30 to 60 daytime before fertilizing for a healthy lawn .
