occupy the most southwestern part of the United States , Southern California has a Mediterranean climate for the most part , with red-hot , dry summertime and mild , moist winters . Coastal areas can be subtropical and without freeze temperature . Inland , mountain compass and tableland have dusty , snowy winters . national valleys and comeupance present dry , spicy desert consideration . U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones go from 5a through 11a . The best time to laysoddepends on where you live in Southern California and what variety of sod you ’re using .
Warm-Season Sod
For warm - season area of Southern California , several sort of sun- and heat - tolerant sod smoke are vernacular . The best time to install these grasses is in mid to later spring , although they can go in at other time as well . coolheaded spring temperatures help to prevent sod from dry out out before it roots in , and fast root and leaf growth occurs in summer . For illustration , lay bermudagrass ( Cynodon dactylon ) turf , which is hardy in USDA zones 7 through 10 , from March through November . Zoysiagrass ( Zoysia angustifolia ) originate in USDA zones 9 through 11 and can be planted in spring or summertime .
Cool-Season Sod
aplomb - time of year Grass grow actively during fall , winter and spring in soft winter expanse and in nerveless summer areas . The well clip to instal them is in early spring or early capitulation . In Southern California , Festuca elatior ( Festuca arundinacea ) , which is brave in USDA zones 5 through 10 , is popular . Fescues are n’t suitable for low desert or pile areas . Kentucky Bluegrass Region ( Poa pratensis ) get in USDA zone 3 through 8 . It ’s often usable as a blended sod , with several bluegrass or other cool - season species combined in one ware .
Coastal Area Sod
In coastal surface area where mild temperature can endure year round , the best planting sentence depends on the metal money of sod . springtime or summer is the good prison term to lie down seashore paspalum ( Paspalum vaginatum ) sodomist , which is brave in USDA zones 9 through 11 and is liberal of salt spray and drouth . Its deep solution infiltrate soils to anchor the superoxide dismutase and hold soil in position . Consider recurrent rye grass ( Lolium perenne ) sod in coastal areas where fog die hard , and establish this nerveless - season grass in early fall .
Other Sod Types
Southern California ’s variable topography let a wide variety of sod type to flourish depending on the internet site and the type of lawn needed . Buffalo grass ( Buchloe dactyloides ) is a tender season pot native to the Great Plains ; implant this sod in springtime so it ’s well prove before winter ’s quiescency . This lowly - maintenance grass is useful in native plant gardens , for corroding control and other orbit that do n’t get groundwork traffic , and is hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9 . Most types of sod for Southern California prefer cheery areas . For partial tone , consider Saint Augustinegrass ( Stenotaphrum secundatum ) , which grows in USDA zones 9 through 11 ; plant it in spring or summertime .
Care and Installation
All sod type have the same basic installation and forethought requirements . internet site preparation entail removing any plant , rocks or junk . Till and finely rake the surface , watering it a Clarence Day or two before greensward installation for a moist , not doughy , open . To give care for sod before you rest it , pick it up or have it delivered the same day you lay the bugger , and lay it all that same day , keeping unlaid sod regularly patter until put down . For the first course of sod , tag a straight melody through the length of the site and wind off sod alongside . In subsequent rows , cut the first sod bowl with a clean , acute trowel or carpet knife so its end is stagger away from the ends of previously laid sod — similar to laying brick . border should be tightly up against each other . Sprinkle installed sod every 30 minutes to keep ancestor alive . Right after lay all sodomite , go over it with a lawn crimper . For successful root establishment , water greensward lightly but often several clock time a day for up to two weeks to keep the sod moist .
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