Tulsa Sod farms Mulch Wholesale http://www.eastonsod.com Sod, Sports Turf and Wholesale Turf Tue, 15 May 2012 19:28:49 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 Manage Subscriptions http://www.eastonsod.com/manage-subscriptions/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=manage-subscriptions http://www.eastonsod.com/manage-subscriptions/#comments Sun, 01 Apr 2012 18:41:31 +0000 admin http://66.147.244.207/~eastonso/manage-subscriptions/

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http://www.eastonsod.com/manage-subscriptions/feed/ 0 How and how much to water your lawn http://www.eastonsod.com/how-and-how-much-to-water-your-lawn/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-and-how-much-to-water-your-lawn http://www.eastonsod.com/how-and-how-much-to-water-your-lawn/#comments Fri, 02 Mar 2012 17:20:51 +0000 adam http://s214608389.onlinehome.us/?p=2813 Water less frequently and more deeply. If you water deeply, your roots will begin to grow down further into the soil. This means that your grass will perform better during hot and drought-like periods.  One inch of water is a good rule of thumb for your lawn.  Soil types can make a big difference on how efficiently your lawn uses water.

Watering newly installed sod is very important.  Water immediately after installing new sod.   Make sure and cover all areas of the sod when watering.  Corners are most frequently missed when watering new sod.  To see that you are getting through to the soil with your water, gently pull a corner of a piece of sod up off the ground and examine if water is penetrating through. 

]]> http://www.eastonsod.com/how-and-how-much-to-water-your-lawn/feed/ 0 Sod provides instant beauty to any lawn. http://www.eastonsod.com/sod-provides-instant-beauty-to-any-lawn/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sod-provides-instant-beauty-to-any-lawn http://www.eastonsod.com/sod-provides-instant-beauty-to-any-lawn/#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:34:32 +0000 adam http://s214608389.onlinehome.us/?p=2606 Within a few hours sod can transform a yard from bare soil to a lush, living carpet of mature grass. Sod looks luxurious, yet it works like and investment. Landscaping with sod instantly increases the market value of your property from 5% to 10%.

]]> http://www.eastonsod.com/sod-provides-instant-beauty-to-any-lawn/feed/ 0 Eco Benefits of Sod http://www.eastonsod.com/eco-benefits-of-sod/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=eco-benefits-of-sod http://www.eastonsod.com/eco-benefits-of-sod/#comments Sat, 28 Jan 2012 22:15:14 +0000 admin http://s214608389.onlinehome.us/?p=2240  

Sod Reduces Pollution

  • Turfgrass traps and removes dust and dirt from the air.
  • Just 2,500 square feet of lawn absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and releases enough oxygen for a family of four.

 

 

Sod is Nature's Air Conditioner

  • On a hot summer day, lawns will be 30 degrees cooler than asphalt and 14 degrees cooler than bare soil.
  • The front lawn of a typical home has the cooling effect of 1-3 tons of air conditioning. That's amazing, as the average home AC has about a three ton capacity. Properly irrigated turf actually reduces amount electricity needed to power our air conditioners!

 

 

Sod is a Natural Filter

  • Turfgrass acts as a natural filter, reducing pollution by purifying the water passing through its root zone.

 

 

Sod Prevents Soil Erosion

  • A healthy sodded lawn absorbs rainfall effectively,even after three years of growth.
  • The cover and stabilization provided by sod reduces or prevents the effects of water and wind erosion of topsoil.
]]> http://www.eastonsod.com/eco-benefits-of-sod/feed/ 0 Soil Prep & Installation Guide http://www.eastonsod.com/soil-prep-installation-guide/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=soil-prep-installation-guide http://www.eastonsod.com/soil-prep-installation-guide/#comments Sat, 28 Jan 2012 21:53:49 +0000 admin http://s214608389.onlinehome.us/?p=2225  

Soil Prep & Installation Guide

The following steps are essential to the establishment of a new lawn:

1. Prepare the site prior to the arrival of the sod.

    1. Remove weeds and debris.
    2. Establish a rough grade and eliminate low spots.
    3. Spread a minimum of 3 cubic yards of soil amendment (found at your local landscape supply company) per 1,000 sq ft at least 4 inches deep.
    4. Rototill into your existing soil 4-6 inches deep.
    5. Level and rake the installation site until it is smooth.
    6. Grade areas along sidewalks and driveways approximately 1 ½ inches below top of concrete or edging.

    2. Have on site hoses and sprinklers for the initial manual watering.

      • Make sure sprinkler system is working properly and the heads are adjusted correctly for full coverage
      • Understand the operation of your sprinkler clock for proper watering of the new and established lawn.

      3. Order sod to be delivered once site is prepared and the sprinkler system is understood and operating properly.

      4. Install the sod immediately after delivery.

        • Lay the border of your area first.  Start with the area furthest away to minimize the amount of traffic on the prepared soil and the newly installed grass.
        • Lay sod in a horizontal brick (staggered) pattern
        • Once an area of approximately 15 feet by 15 feet has been laid and unrolled water immediately.  The objective is to not let the sod dehydrate.
        • Pull ends and sides of the sod rolls tightly together making sure there are no overlapping and no gaps.
        • Fit the sod around obstacles or in smaller places by simply cutting the dirt side of the sod with sharp utility, linoleum or serrated knives.

        5. Water Properly.

          1. Once all the sod is laid, begin watering to build up the sub-soil moisture
          2. During the establishment period, (first 2 weeks) we recommend watering a minimum of 3 times per day, 15-20 minutes per zone, for the first 2 weeks.  The sub-soil moisture should penetrate at least 4 inches.
          3. Week 3 is used as a transition period from daily watering with frequent applications per day to an increased number of days between watering.

            1. During this time the grass should be ready for routine maintenance.
            2. Adjust watering times and sprinkler clock to conform to the water restriction program in your area.
          4. Keep pet and foot traffic on the new lawn to a minimum for 30 days

          6. Become aware of dehydration signs.

          Stage 1: grass has a purplish tint.

          Stage 2: blades turn steel gray and footprints are left when walked upon.

          Stage 3: the sod rolls begin to shrink and gaps form between rolls

          Stage 4: grass blades turn straw in color

           

          ]]>           http://www.eastonsod.com/soil-prep-installation-guide/feed/ 0           What is Sprigging http://www.eastonsod.com/what-is-sprigging/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-is-sprigging http://www.eastonsod.com/what-is-sprigging/#comments Mon, 05 Dec 2011 07:44:03 +0000 admin http://s214608389.onlinehome.us/?p=2067 Sprigging is a method of propagation a turfgrass variety by planting sprigs.  The sprigs root into the soil and eventually spread to cover the sprigged area. The length of time required to cover an area from sprigs depends on several factors.

          The sprigging rate, usually measured in bushels per acre, is a factor because the more sprigs per square foot, the less time is required for coverage. The variety of grass also affects the time to coverage. Bermudagrass varieties like Common, Quickstand, and Baby are generally quicker to cover than Tifton 419 and Midlawn. At sprigging rates of about 500 bushels per acre, Common, Quickstand and Baby may cover in as little as 6 to 9 weeks, where as Tifton 419 and Midlawn might take 8 to 12  weeks under good conditions.

          A sprigging rate of 400 bushels per acre is about the average for new fairway construction. For tee boxes, a rate of 15 bushels per 1000 square feet, (650 bushels per acre) is the average.

          Prior to the sprigging operation, collect representative soil samples and have a basic soil test performed for nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K), and soil pH. Soil samples can be submitted for testing through most county extension offices or to private soil labs. Request an interpretation of the results and suggested amendments for establishing a bermudagrass turf area. Soil testing and adding amendments in the correct ratios actually saves money and stacks the odds of a successful establishment in your favor. Lime may or may not be necessary; base its addition strictly upon the results of the soil test. The surface should be smooth but soft. A pre-plant fertilizer should be applied at a rate of around 250 lbs., per acre, or use the soil test results if a soil test was taken.
          Sprigging machines spread the sprigs onto the soil. Some of the sprigs are crimped into the soil by disks, but some are left lying on the surface of the soil. As the watering begins, the soil will melt around the sprigs and they will root and spread.

          Immediately after the sprigs are planted, you can apply a pre-emergent herbicide such as Ronstar 2G at a rate of 50 to 100 lbs. of product, per acre prior to the initial watering. See the product label for specific details.

          Watering is crucial on newly sprigged bermudagrass. The tiny sprigs are laying on a hot, dry surface with their roots exposed to the air. Sprigs can die in a matter of hours if permitted to dry out. The initial watering should begin immediately after the sprigs have been planted or after the pre-emergent herbicide has been applied. The first watering should saturate the soil to the point of runoff. After the initial watering, the sprinklers should be programmed to come on for 5 or 10 minutes every hour during daylight, for about 2 weeks. Proper irrigation frequency and amount will depend on precipitation rate, temperature, wind speed and your soil type, but you will need to keep the surface wet for at least 10 days or until the sprigs root in and start to put on new growth. The leaves on the sprigs may turn brown after the sprigging operation, but the stems should remain green. New leaves will sprout from the stems if they are properly watered. I guarantee the sprigs to be fresh when they are planted, but we cannot be responsible for the watering. Monitor the water closely during the “grow in” period.
          After new leaves sprout on the sprigs, you can back off on the watering. Let the surface dry out enough to fertilize. Start applying a nitrate fertilizer on a weekly basis until the sprigs cover. Usually an ammonium sulfate or ammonium nitrate fertilizer at a rate of 100 lbs. of product per acre will be enough to push the young plants to cover rapidly. The quicker you can cover, the sooner you can open for business.

          Steep slopes, fringes around greens and bunkers, and ditches where water will flow should be sodded with slab sod prior to sprigging of other areas. If you skip this step, you will probably be doing the sodding later anyway because of erosion. Save money by doing it right the first time. Also remember to sod a path to the greens for mowing accessibility. You will be living with a mud pie for the first 2 weeks.

          Mowing and post emergent weed control can begin after the first 2 weeks. Start your mowing at 1 ½ inches and take it down to target height over time. Check the labels on post emergent herbicides for newly sprigged bermudagrass rates.

          ]]>           http://www.eastonsod.com/what-is-sprigging/feed/ 0           How to read Fertilizer Label http://www.eastonsod.com/how-to-read-fertilizer-label/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-to-read-fertilizer-label http://www.eastonsod.com/how-to-read-fertilizer-label/#comments Mon, 21 Nov 2011 06:18:09 +0000 admin http://s214608389.onlinehome.us/?p=1932 To purchase and apply turfgrass fertilizers intelligently, one must be able to read and understand a fertilizer label. Every fertilizer must be labeled stating guaranteed chemical analysis of the material and, in almost all cases, the following label information:

            • the name or brand
            • potential acidity
            • manufacturer’s name and address
            • net weight of the fertilizer in the bag

          The guaranteed analysis is sometimes called the fertilizer grade, which is a listing of nutrients contained in the bag by weight. A complete fertilizer contains nitrogen (N), phosphate (P2O5) and potash (K2O), in contrast to an incomplete fertilizer that’s missing one of these elements.

          The ratio of fertilizer is the relationship between N, P2O5 and K2O. A fertilizer with a 20-5-15 ratio contains 20% N. 55 P2O5 and 15% K2O by weight. A 50-lb bag of 20-5-15 contains:

          0.5 x 20 = 10 lbs N
          0.5 x 2.5 = 2.5 lbs P2O5
          0.5 x 15 = 75 lbs K2O

          Only the nitrogen is expressed as an element, while phosphorus and potassium are present as oxides, meaning the elements are contained in the phosphate and potash compounds, respectively. Phosphate contains 44% phosphorus, and potash contains 83% potassium and expressed in the formulas of their oxide forms, or P2O5 x 0.44 = P and K2O x 0.83 = K.

          So, a 50 lb bag of 20-5-15 would have 10 lbs. of nitrogen but only 1.1 lbs. of phosphorus (0.5 x 5 x 0.44 = 1.1 lbs. P) and 6.2 lbs. of potassium (0.5 x 15 x 0.83 = 6.2 lbs. of K).

          WIN and WSN, two other terms on a bag of fertilizer, stand for water insoluble nitrogen and water-soluble nitrogen. WSN is quickly available to the turf and provides fast green-up and growth. WIN is slow released by one of several mechanisms, less likely to burn the turf and provides a longer-lastin response than WSN.

          Other secondary elements-such as calcium, magnesium and sulfur, and with minute amounts of boron, chlorine, copper, iron an manganese, molybdenum and zinc-are often found in fertilizers and are among the 17 essential nutrients for turfgrass.

          ]]>           http://www.eastonsod.com/how-to-read-fertilizer-label/feed/ 0           Laying Your Sod http://www.eastonsod.com/laying-your-sod/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=laying-your-sod http://www.eastonsod.com/laying-your-sod/#comments Sun, 20 Nov 2011 22:26:11 +0000 admin http://s214608389.onlinehome.us/?p=1878 Sod is a living plant has been harvested leaving fifty percent of its roots behind. It is important that sod be installed as soon as possible following delivery. During hot weather (90° or above), the sod should be installed within 24 hours or it may spoil. In cooler winter temperatures, sod can survive for about a week on the pallet.

          Begin installing sod along a good straight edge such as a sidewalk or lot line of the property that has a string stretched from one end to the other. Lay two or three rolls of sod along the straight edge. Then go back to the start and lay another roll along side the first roll you put down. Cut this roll in half and follow this 1/2 roll with a full one. Continue this brick pattern for the whole job. Doing it this way is faster and keeps the seams from lining up, which looks nicer.

          Butt and push edges and ends against each other tightly without stretching. To avoid causing indentations or pockets, avoid repeated walking or kneeling on sod while it is being installed or just after watering.

          For trimming, use a box cutter type knife. When you finish an area, go over it and look for small holes or seams that are wider than they should be. These can be patched with small pieces of sod from your trimmings.

          Sod laid on slopes should be installed perpendicular to the direction of the slope. This prevents water from running down the seams and eroding the soil. Stakes or sod staples should be used to anchor sod on steep slopes, or where flowing water is expected.

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