What is the Best Sod for Sandy Soil?

What is the Best Sod for Sandy Soil? 

Hello, thanks for stopping by our online store! Today, we will talk about the best sod for sandy soil. One of the most important questions you can ask yourself before installing a new lawn is "What is the best sod for MY lawn?" We say this because not all lawns are created equal, some are sunnier, some are shadier, some are colder, some are warmer and some are on a sandy soil base. Lets dig in!

The Best Sod for Sandy Soil

Believe it or not, some soils are very sandy while other may be heavier in clay or be a balanced mix of both sandy soil and clay soil. There are many distinctions between sandy and clay soil, but the most important thing to know is this: soil heavier in clay will retain more water and soil heavier in sand will drain water more easily. If you're wondering why this matters, the answer is simple. Plants (including sod, yes, grass is a plant), need water to survive, and for lawns, too much water may mean fungus and too little water may mean dried grass.

Sandy Soil Base

Now that we know why it matters whether your soil is heavier in sand, we'll go over the second most important thing to know about your soil regardless of composition. This the preparation process. Before installing a new lawn or planting plugs, the lawn must be prepped. Prepping your lawn is important because you want to give your lawn a good chance at rooting, growing and having long-term health. Though it may not seem like it at first sight, the preparation process is incredibly critical for a new lawn. 

Why Soil Matters

The preparation process is critical because it involves two of your lawn life lines: soil and water. Usually, during the prep process is when irrigation systems are renovated or established. The prep process is also when the soil is prepared for the grass on its way. The soil that will be beneath your sod will be its new home, and should have the nutrients and minerals your grass will need to live. 

Sandy Soil Conditions 

We've established soil conditions matter for many reasons, so knowing if your soil is heavy in sand is important because too much water drainage resulting from sandy soil can leave your grass with too little water. The best way to prepare for this and ensure it doesn't become a problem is by properly prepping your lawn. Removing old soil and waste and replacing it with new soil is so important. During this step, the risks associated with sandy soil can be addressed. By removing the sandy soil, and putting in fresh soil, you are giving your lawn a soil base that is more balanced in nutrients and water retention. 

Can I Install Sod on Top of My Old Lawn?

We get this question A LOT. The answer is no and the exceptions are very few and far between. You cannot remove your current or old grass and simply lay the new sod roots. Installing new sod on top of old sod is ineffective for many reasons, we'll only cover a few basic ones:

1. The soil may be too compact and dense for the new rooting system to penetrate. 

2. The current or previous lawn cover has absorbed the nutrients needed for the lawn. 

3. The area will likely not be level and can lead to problems such as scalping and tripping hazards. 

What is the Best Sod for Sandy Soil? 

Before getting to a "list" of good sod options for sandy soil, we'll share that Sod and Seed, Inc. has delivered thousands of lawns across California and the ones tended to correctly have survived and thrived. Keep in mind the vast landscape and soil conditions across California. But, since we've covered the effect of sandy soil bases (increased drainage), a drought tolerant option to fall back on may be a wise choice in case the preparation process wasn't fully done. So, a drought tolerant sod for sandy soil is a good bet!

Drought Tolerant Sod

1. Kurapia

2. West Coaster Tall Fescue, RTF and Delta Tall 9010

3. Native Grasses

4. Bermuda Grass

Kurapia Ground Cover

Kurapia ground cover is high on the list of drought tolerant sod options. I've had a Kurapia lawn for about three years and every time I think I actually killed it, it comes right back. With a complex and robust rooting system, Kurapia can resist drought conditions well. 

Fescue Sod

Our top tall fescue options are the West Coaster Tall Fescue, RTF and Delta Tall 9010. A tall fescue is a good consideration for drought conditions because tall fescues are usually heartier and have stronger rooting systems. 

Native Grass

Native grasses are more drought tolerant than non-native grasses. We offer native options for many of the non-native counter parts such as the Native Mow Free and Mow Free sod.

Bermuda Grass

Bermuda grass is a warm season grass notorious for it's water savings. Have you ever seen the grass on a golf course or football field? It is likely bermudagrass sod. Bermuda grass is a wonderful drought tolerant option that also saves 100% of water during its dormancy period. Check out some of our bermuda grasses below!

\We hope you found this blog helpful! knowing your soil conditions is key and knowing how to prep your soul is even more important! Feel free to peruse our website and please reach out to us at 1-800-381-8163. We hope to hear from you soon!