Sod Installation’s Environmental Impact: Myths & Facts

Let’s face it: lawn maintenance is hard. You try your best to grow healthy grass, but sometimes, there are factors influencing your yard that are just out of your control, like your soil type or a season of drought. Many people have turned to sod installation to help them combat the nagging issue of unhealthy grass. But they worry that sod is not as good for the environment as regular seed. In this post, you’ll learn that not only are the myths about sod (that it requires excessive water, requires more chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and weed control, and diminishes biodiversity) incorrect, but sod installation actually supports the environment in lots of ways. Benefits of Sod Installation for the Environment These are some environmental and aesthetic benefits of installing sod: Erosion Control Sod is an incredibly effective solution for soil erosion issues. Because it acts as a blanket of grass laying on top of soil, as soon as you lay it down, it’s already contributing to soil stabilization. Plant growth discourages soil erosion because established roots are what keep soil in place. Because establishing roots is the whole point of sod, just the simple act of laying it down controls soil erosion. It also slows down rainwater and stormwater runoff–not only do the grass blades keep excessive amounts of soil from washing away, but sod needs lots of water to grow, so it puts the water to good use. Lastly, it provides immediate vegetative cover for areas like slopes where seeding isn’t an option. Air Quality Improvement Grass is an expert at reducing greenhouse gas emissions. During photosynthesis, grass absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, which is the act that reduces those emissions–and it’s occurring right on your property. Sod is also a nitrate absorber, particularly with hydrogen fluoride and peroxyacetyl nitrates, which can be dangerous. And on a simpler level, sod blades also capture dust and airborne soil particles, keeping them from floating in the air and making it harder to breathe. Carbon Sequestration Carbon sequestration is the process by which carbon dioxide is removed from the atmosphere and held in solid or liquid form. As previously established, sod is great at removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. As turfgrass roots die, they decompose into organic matter, supporting the carbon levels in your soil. Sod also plays a similar role during photosynthesis, where it converts carbon dioxide into organic matter that it stores in its stems, roots, and leaves. A Closer Look at Sod Installation’s Water Usage The most common myth about sod installation is that it requires excessive amounts of water. That being said, it is true that newly installed sod does require frequent watering, especially in the first two weeks after planting. But once the roots are established, sod requires the same amount of water as any other lawn. FACT: Almost every type of plant requires more frequent watering at the onset of its installation, so to say that sod requires excessive water would be to say that every new plant requires excessive water. Efficient Watering Best Practices There are always ways to improve your landscaping practices to make them more sustainable, and that goes for watering, too. Here are some ways to water your new sod more efficiently:

• Use an efficient irrigation system: If possible, installing an efficient irrigation system such as drip irrigation is highly sustainable because it’s only applying water to the areas that need it.
• Water deeply: Post-installation, the main goal of watering your new sod is to help it establish roots. Ensuring you’re watering deeply and getting those roots wet will help your sod establish stronger roots more quickly, reducing the need for excess water later.
• Audit your irrigation system and watering zone: You don’t want to just turn on the sprinklers and hope for the best. Ensuring that the corners and edges of your yard (the largely neglected parts) are getting enough water, ensuring that you’re not watering pavement, and ensuring that your irrigation system is working properly will guarantee proper watering.
• Apply mulch: Mulch is known for moisture retention and water conservation, among many other benefits.
• Aeration: If your yard is really struggling with proper drainage, aeration services can be really helpful with making sure water is fully penetrating the soil and sod roots.

Sustainable Sod Installation Practices The two best ways to keep your lawn maintenance sustainable are to focus on preventative pest control methods and to recycle organic materials. When it comes to preventative pest control, strategies like intentional planting, introducing beneficial insects, and using non-toxic substances really come in handy. Surrounding your sod with other plants that naturally reduce pests, such as herbs and certain flowers, not only prevents those pests but also improves your yard’s microbiome. Additionally, planting these additional species will attract beneficial insects, like earthworms, to your yard and will help your soil health. It’s also best to use non-toxic substances like natural fertilizers and pesticides on your sod so as not to kill off the good insects. You can even make these things yourself! Recycling organic materials like leaves and lawn clippings can help you make your own mulch and compost to apply to your sod and plants. This not only reduces the need for chemical products, but it’s also a great way to properly dispose of organic waste that naturally comes from lawn maintenance. Mulch and compost provide unmatched benefits for your yard, such as soil nutrients, moisture retention, and weed prevention. Sustainable Lawn Care Some other sustainable lawn care methods are to mow high, plant native species, and create as many “no-mow” zones as you can. Keeping your grass a little bit longer when mowing helps promote stronger, hardier grass, which requires less maintenance. Plant species that are native to your area often require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides as well. Creating no-mow zones like gardens or mulch areas reduces the need to mow the lawn and helps promote biodiversity in your yard, which will help it become more self-sufficient. Conclusion Overall, sod installation provides many benefits when it’s done correctly and with intention. It also helps to keep sustainable landscaping practices in mind when planning your landscape and considering sod so that you can hit the ground running. Don’t let the myths about sod installation keep you from achieving the yard of your dreams.