You can pick up your order, or it can be delivered to you. The minimum order for delivery is 500 sq. ft. A ‘farm pick-up’ order can be as small as 50sq. ft. which is 7 rolls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers about sod, hydroseeding, installation and long term care.
What is the size of a roll of sod?
Our sod is cut into rolls of 8 sq. ft. for easy handling. The sod rolls are 24” x 48”.
The sod height is approximately 2” thick… 1 ½ “of blade and ½ – ¾ of root base.
How many square feet per pallet?
There are 500 sq. ft. per pallet.
When is the best time to install sod?
Sod can be laid year-round. The only times it cannot be laid is when the ground is frozen or has snow on it.
What preparation do I need to do before delivery of sod?
Please go to our Installation page for complete details.
How long can I wait after the sod is delivered to install it?
We recommend that you lay it the same day, but during cooler seasons within a 24 hour period is also acceptable.
Will sod grow in the shade?
Not very well. If you have a shaded yard, or just some shady spots, we recommend that you over seed the sod with a shady blend seed that can be purchased at Willamette Turf with your sod order. Over seeding should be done in the early spring and early fall.
I forgot to apply fertilizer before I laid the sod… what can I do now?
Fertilize within the first two weeks. Follow manufacturer’s instructions on the bag and be sure to water the fertilizer accordingly.
How often should I fertilize?
Your lawn should be fertilized every six weeks during the growing season of March to October.
What type of fertilizer should I use?
During the growing season use a 16-16-16, follow the manufacturer’s instructions. When the weather turns cold, but before the ground freezes – in late October through early December, use a one-time application of slow-release winter fertilizer with a low ratio of phosphorus such as 20-4-12.
How often should I water my yard?
Water a new lawn immediately and keep the soil moist for the next two weeks to help the root system adapt to the new location. Weather conditions will determine the amount and frequency of watering. During warm weather, consistent watering is critical. After your yard is established water twice per week for a total of 1” is adequate.
What about aerating my lawn?
Sometimes thatch builds up over time, and the ground can become compacted, resulting in bad drainage and ineffectiveness of fertilizer. Thatching and aerating will allow water, oxygen and nutrients to penetrate the soil.
To remove thatch (mostly old grass roots and rhizomes – not grass clippings) simply rake your lawn vigorously, taking care to remove just the dead thatch, while raking leaves in the fall.
Aerating involves the use of a machine that removes plugs of earth and grass from your lawn (available for rental at large garden centers). Aerating might be necessary every 1-3 years, in the fall, depending on the amount of soil-compacting traffic your lawn experiences.
What does it mean if there are mushrooms in my lawn?
Mushrooms are good sign of a healthy lawn, it is a sign of plenty of organic material. Mushrooms should be raked or mowed, and put in with your yard debris. This will control them without the use of a chemical. Fungicide is another option available for removal.
What type of grass is Willamette Turf sod?
Willamette Turf sod uses a 3-way blend of perennial ryegrasses, and a three-way blend of tall fescues. Both types of grass are recommended for the Northwest. Our blends are traffic tolerant and disease resistant. They stay lush and green year round.
Sod vs. Seed & Hydroseed
| Turfgrass | Seed/ Hydroseed | |
|---|---|---|
| Time of year | Year round, unless the ground is too wet or frozen too be worked. | Best done April through June and September through October. |
| Seed Quality | We use top quality Oregon grown grass seed to plant our sod fields. Seed fields and certification records are personally inspected. | Variable and sometimes unspecified. We use only certified seed blends, usually perennial ryegrass and tall fescue. We also have blends specifically designed for erosion control, or use in shady areas. |
| Weed Control | A healthy yard is the first and the best line of defense. Sod fields are planted, watered and fertilized properly to maintain weed free sod for installing in your yard. | Seeding grass cannot easily compete with weeds present in the soil or windblown weed seeds. Several chemical applications may be necessary prior to seeding. |
| Runoff/ Erosion control | Sod is one of the best erosion control substances available. The water runs off the top and as the sod roots, the whole slope is stabilized. | Hydroseed mulch greatly reduces erosion compared to hand seeding. With heavy Oregon rains, both hand seeding and hydroseeding can wash deeply before the grass has a chance to sprout and become firmly established. |