Sod Chicago - is it too late?

sbkim · 10-09-2012, 02:39 PM

Hello everyone,

We are wrapping up construction and may be laying sod by the end of October in Chicago. Weather has been decent but cooler for this time of the year (still averaging 50's during the day and low 40s at night). Is it OK to sod or should I just wait until spring? Many landscapers claim that it's ok to do so through end of November around here but wasn't sure.

Thank you!

Thunder Chicken · 10-09-2012, 08:24 PM

If you get cold weather the sod will just go dormant and will do its thing in the spring. I'd make sure that you get good soil contact and keep in watered as long as you can.

Having said that, is there any reason you can't wait to hydroseed in the spring? It would be cheaper and would establish quicker.

sbkim · 10-09-2012, 09:31 PM

Thank you! Sod is in the spec and it's instant gratification.

Thunder Chicken · 10-09-2012, 09:51 PM

I hope you get to enjoy it before the snow flies. Good luck.

sdsester · 10-10-2012, 11:49 AM

I personally would wait until Spring if you cannot get it down until late October but if your soil is nicely prepped go ahead I guess. We don't usually have a danger of soil freeze until after the first of the year. Snow will not hurt it but frost could do a number on it and you can help fight against this by rinsing it off early morning so long as temps stay above freezing during the day.

Do make sure you water it in as you go and roll it with a half full landscape roller to ensure soil contact.

If you wait to Spring you might look into hydroseeding as suggested. It is not as immediately gratifying as sod but turf will establish faster and it is much cheaper.