Compare Utah Sod
Most lawns in Utah are comprised of cultivars of Kentucky bluegrass (KBG), perennial ryegrass, and turf type tall fescue. While these species have many great qualities that make them suitable for use in Utah, they also have downsides that may cause you to consider other options when renovating or establishing a lawn. Compare Utah sod products below:
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Dark Green Color | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Leaf Texture | Fine | Fine | Medium | Medium |
Blade Width/Feel | Fine/Soft | `Fine/Soft | Medium/Course | Fine/Soft |
Shade | Good | Good | Better | Better |
Water Saving | Good | Good | Good | Better |
Heat Tolerant | Good | Good | Good | Good |
Endophyte | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Disease Resistant | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Stripeability | Good | Best | Fair | Fair |
Water Tolerant | Good | Excellent | Good | Excellent |
Poor Soil Conditions | Good | Good | Better | Best |
Recommended Use | Lawns, Sports Fields | Lawns, Sports Fields | Lawns, Warm Climate, Sports Fields | Lawns, Water Saving, Warm Climate, Pets, Sports Fields |
Supplementary Water Needs | 30" - 32" | 30"-32" | 25" - 32" | 20" - 24" |
Suggested Retail Price | 40 | 45 | 45 | 50 |
COMPARE UTAH SOD – DISEASES Compare the diseases associated with each type of grass before choosing if you have had problems in the past. In particular, when mismanaged, KBG is susceptible to diseases like summer patch, snow mold, and necrotic ring spot. For lawns plagued with these diseases, turf type tall fescue (TF) is a viable alternative to KBG, ryegrass, fine fescues, and other cool season species for home lawns in Utah. In 2016, the Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Lab received more turf samples than usual. Of the 300 samples, 80 (27%) were turfgrass. Many turf diseases were diagnosed this year and many samples had multiple issues. Of the diseased turf samples, 75% had summer patch or necrotic ring spot.
COMPARE UTAH SOD – CARE PRACTICES
Care practices also effect cultivar performance. Proper care of your lawn will increase performance and beauty of your landscape.
Maintaining a mowing height of 2-3 inches
Maintaining sharp mowing blades
Core aeration
Proper Watering
Thatch management
Proper fertilization
COMPARE UTAH SOD – COLOR CHANGES Mixing Varieties or Sod from Different Farms is NOT recommended New darker varieties of Kentucky Bluegrass inserted into an older well kept yard. A man replaced a garden spot years after lawn was established. This picture shown is 3 years after sod was planted in this garden spot and the color variation is still very noticeable. Newer Varieties are darker in color given to new breeding developments. Often we are asked if it is recommended to:(1) Mix Varieties or Types of Grass, (2) Mix sod from another farm, (3) Get sod for the same yard at a different time
Mix Varieties or Types of Grass
Mix sod from another farm
Get sod for the same yard at a different time
Potential Problems with mixing
Color differences will be very noticeable.
New darker varieties will be noticeable
Water requirements are different
Blade widths are noticeable
Soil Types will be different
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