Fall is near, and your yard is bare, but you don’t need to wait until spring to plant sod. In Colorado, it’s safe to lay sod in the fall as long as the ground hasn’t frozen yet.
While Colorado’s autumn weather can swing between balmy Indian summers and chilly pre-winter flurries, fall can be a great time to plant sod, and in many ways, is better than summer. Below is everything you need to know about laying sod in the fall in Colorado.
Cooler Temperatures Reduce the Risk of Sod Overheating
Cooler autumn temperatures reduce the risk of sod overheating or drying out during the day. Also, without the summer heat scorching moisture out of the soil (and with a bit of luck a little rain in the forecast), you’ll likely need to irrigate your new sod less than you would if you planted it in July. If you have questions about this, feel free to contact us!
Lay Sod in Early Fall to Ensure a Developed Root System
Sod usually requires two weeks for rooting to start and six weeks for a deep network of roots to grow. So you’ll need to keep an eye on the calendar, as it’s essential to give your turf enough time to develop a root system before the soil freezes, check here to see the latest fall average frost and freeze dates in Colorado.
Sod Laid in the Fall Will Require More Watering
Because an autumn-planted lawn’s roots don’t extend deep into the soil where winter moisture lies, it’s essential to continue to irrigate the lawn through the winter months. Depending on the snowfall amount, homeowners may need to irrigate their freshly planted lawns two or three times a month. Check out our guide on how to water new sod.
The off-season irrigation is worth the effort, though. Sod laid in fall has an established root system when spring rolls around and can start rooting deeper into the soil as the weather heats up, offering a stronger, more mature lawn in the growing season. Don’t worry that winter is coming. It’s perfectly safe to lay sod in the fall in Colorado if you’re committed to a little extra upkeep in the winter.
If you plan to lay sod and need some help with your project, please let us know by contacting us! We offer sod delivery and sod installation across Northern Colorado, and we are always happy to help answer your questions!
