Sod can transform lawns from dry, patchy blankets of brown to lush, vibrant green spaces. When you choose high quality turfgrass, properly prepare the soil, and follow the guidelines for establishing healthy sod, you’re rewarded with a rich, healthy landscape. But many sod companies don’t know – or care – about installing turfgrass that’s right for the Sacramento region. Don’t get suckered into buying bermudagrass for your Sacramento home or business this spring.
Why Bermuda Sod Dies in Sacramento
For some regions bermudagrass is the end all and be all of turfgrass installation. It’s heat tolerance, drought tolerance, and ability to withstand heavy foot traffic make it an easy pick for school playground, sports fields, and community parks. The downside of bermudagrass is its low resistance to shade and cold. When temperatures in Sacramento begin to drop, bermudagrass quickly goes dormant. During a particularly rainy year bermudagrass will stay brown and dead-looking from mid-fall to early spring. Bermudagrass has an extensive root system, making it intrusive into flowerbeds and difficult to remove. After several years of growth it requires frequent dethatching, a time-consuming and expensive process. If you’ve installed bermuda sod in your lawn, it may take months (and several applications of weed killer) to eradicate the plant completely.
The Bermuda Triangle
The Bermuda Triangle may be a legend based off the east coast, but when Sacramento landscapers install bermuda sod, they may start to wonder if the name is cursed. This park down the road from us replaced their grass with bermudagrass 6 months ago. After 2 months of healthy grass, winter weather set in, leaving a startling difference between old (foreground) and new (background) sod.
“Bermuda can exist with less water, but for the difference in performance in this region, I personally would never recommend Bermuda. I would not want the repercussion from a customer after all the time and money spent to prepare a lawn properly!” – Bell Sod and Hydroseed owner Greg Demeter
Bell Sod and Hydroseed recommends dwarf fescue bluegrass, a durable hybrid sod with deep roots that thrives in both rain and drought. Call Bell Sod and Hydroseed for more information on having a healthy Sacramento lawn year-round.