Resod in the Winter
Our lawns take on a lot of stress over the course of a year. Long days in the brutal sun, periods of drought, overly shady areas, and heavy foot traffic can all wreak havoc on your lawn.
No matter how well you care for your lawn, it will need some repair from time to time. Resodding damaged or overused areas is a great way to bring back the vibrant color and lush feel that you fell in love with when laying your sod down for the first time.
Here in Florida, our mild fall and winter temperatures paired with high humidity make an extended growing season that allows us to do things in our lawns and gardens that aren’t possible further north. One of those things is laying down sod well past the times typically recommended. In fact, with proper preparation, sod can be laid here in Florida all year long!
So the answer is yes, you can resod your lawn in the winter here on the central Gulf Coast. However, you will need to take extra precautions to make sure your sod establishes well and is in an environment conducive to root growth.
The lowest average temperature in Tampa Bay is in January at just 53°F. Grass roots become dormant if the temperature drops below 50°F, so as long as we don’t have any out-of-the-ordinary cold snaps, you should be just fine to resod in the winter. Plan your resod day when you know there won’t be any unusually cold weather for the next couple of weeks, and you’re good to go!
Watering is also an area that needs proper attention if you decide to resod during the winter months. New sod needs ½” to ¾” of water coverage every day for the first four weeks after installation. The frequency backs down to every other day for the following four weeks, then once or twice per week according to your sod variety’s guidelines and weather conditions. Since we don’t get as much rain during the winter months, you’ll need to hand-water your lawn more often to get the roots to establish well. However, a professionally installed automatic sprinkler system that covers your entire lawn is the best way to ensure proper watering.
If you need high-quality sod, no matter what time of year, call the sod experts at Council Growers Sod in Tampa Bay. Our sod is delivered directly from our fields to your door on the day of harvest, meaning you’ll get the freshest and healthiest sod possible! Call (813) 633-8665 or contact us online to get a quote for your resod project today!
