Fall Planting

Even the inexperienced gardener knows that fall is the time to plants bulbs that we want to see bloom in the spring. But, most people don't know that early autumn can be a great time to install your sod.  This is especially true in Alabama since we have a "warm" weather climate longer than other parts of the country.



Installing sod in the fall isn't much different than laying sod in the spring or summer. One of the biggest differences is the temperature, it makes for more comfortable work than what you encounter in the spring and summer!

What are the basic steps for installing sod?

Prepare the soil as if you were seeding; measure the area to be sodded so your quantity calculations are correct.  Lay the first piece along a straight line such as a driveway or sidewalk, install all additional pieces so the seams create a brick-like pattern.  Apply at least one inch of water on the sod within 30 minutes of laying the first piece.  For the next two weeks keep the base soil moist with daily (or more frequent) watering.

Sodding is simple, but these tricks of the trade can make it even easier:

• Asking the delivery driver to place the pallets of sod across the yard, approximating how much each pallet will cover.  This will reduce the time and distance you might have to carry each piece.
• Leveling the soil about one inch below any hard surfaces such as patios, sidewalks and driveways.  This eliminates height differences between the sod and the hard surfaces.
• If you have a slope, begin sodding at the bottom and work your way up the slope. If the slope is very steep, run the pieces across the direction of the slope.
• Push edges and ends against each other tightly to reduce gaps and overlays.
• Use a sharp utility knife to trim corners and ends.
• Water! Water! Water! 

Give us a call at Sunbelt Turf Farm and will be happy to assist you with your sod needs!

Sunbelt Turf Farm began in St. Clair County. Over 30 years have perfected the art of growing, selling and the delivery of quality turf grass. Customer satisfaction is paramount and we stand behind our turf grass. Expansions into Shelby and Talladega Counties successfully turned cotton fields and pasture land into beautiful green turf. Commercial and retail opportunities, pick-up or delivery, free estimates, fast turnaround and remaining environmentally friendly separate us from the rest.

It's Fall!

Happy Fall Y’all!  Sunbelt Turf Farm family wishes you and your family a happy Fall! 

Take a break from tending your lawns and enjoy a fall favorite recipe!

This recipe is perfect for a tailgate or watching the big game from the comforts of your home.


Santa Fe Soup

2 pounds of Ground Beef
1 medium Onion, chopped fine
2 packets of Ranch Dressing Mix, dry
2 packets of Taco Seasoning
1 can Black Beans
1 can Pinto Beans
1 can Kidney Beans
1 can Rotel Tomatoes
1 can Tomatoes, Crushed
1 can Yellow Corn
1 can White Shoepeg Corn
2 cups Water


Directions


Brown meat with onion then drain.  Add canned goods and seasoning packets. 
Stir well adding water.  Do not drain the vegetables.


Simmer for 2 hours.


Serve with corn chips and a dollop of sour cream and sprinkles of cheddar cheese.



Sunbelt Turf Farm began in St. Clair County. Over 30 years have perfected the art of growing, selling and the delivery of quality turf grass. Customer satisfaction is paramount and we stand behind our turf grass. Expansions into Shelby and Talladega Counties successfully turned cotton fields and pasture land into beautiful green turf. Commercial and retail opportunities, pick-up or delivery, free estimates, fast turnaround and remaining environmentally friendly separate us from the rest.

Maintain Your Mower

Maintain your mower for the sake of your lawn!

Keeping your mower in good working condition is beneficial for many reasons.  If you maintain your mower properly year round, you will be ahead of the game when the busy mowing season arrives. You can start by reading your owner's manual for the technical information and scheduling your routine maintenance checks.  Remember to keep good records on any repairs and all maintenance performed on your mower.  

An annual service check by a professional is always a good idea to keep the mower in tip top condition so that you don't damage your lawn.  An efficient mower is also good for the environment! The oil and fuel filters must be changed if you want the mower to last.  While manufacturer recommendations may vary, a good rule of thumb is changing the oil every 25 hours of mowing.  For some homeowners this will be once a year, so it may be easier to just remember to change your oil each spring.

A dull mower blade can be devastating to a lawn.  A dull blade will shred the grass which causes a frayed or brown appearance and can create entryways for disease. Routinely sharpen your mower blade to ensure you are mowing with a sharp blade that will not shred the grass.

Annual maintenance checks should include making sure that all nuts and bolts are tightened.  Belts, filters, and safety shields should be clean and in place.  Cleaning the fans and intake screens will also help keep the mower operating correctly.

If your mower is difficult to start, check to see if the spark plug is dirty or damaged. Your owner's manual should have instructions for inspecting and replacing the spark plug. Replacing the spark plug annually is a good way to make sure you have a lawn mower that starts properly!

Storing fuel for your lawn mower should be stored in approved containers.  Do not use bottles or jars. Be sure to label the containers so there is no mistake what is inside.  If you still have fuel in your mower when it is time for winter storage, make sure you add a fuel stabilizer.  This will help prevent clogs in the carburetor.

Proper storage and service will ensure that your lawn mower is ready to go when the busy spring mowing season arrives!

Sunbelt Turf Farm began in St. Clair County. Over 30 years have perfected the art of growing, selling and the delivery of quality turf grass. Customer satisfaction is paramount and we stand behind our turf grass. Expansions into Shelby and Talladega Counties successfully turned cotton fields and pasture land into beautiful green turf. Commercial and retail opportunities, pick-up or delivery, free estimates, fast turnaround and remaining environmentally friendly separate us from the rest.

Common Lawncare Mistakes-102

Sunbelt Turf Farm is happy to offer suggestions on how to avoid the most common mistakes homeowners make in regard to their lawncare.

Dethatch

Thatch is tightly packed layer of dead and living shoots, roots and stems that develop between the turfgrass and the soil surface.  It is important to use the right equipment to dethatch and don't attempt to remove the entire thatch layer in one treatment.  Do not dethatch with the soil is wet, only dethatch your lawn when it is truly necessary not on a routine basis.

Advice

Too much thatch can present negative consequences to your lawn, but a little thatch is desirable.  It will help moderate temperature at the soil surface and provides a cushion effect on the surface.  To determine if you need to dethatch your lawn, remove a small plug of turf several inches deep.  If the spongy layer between the soil and the turf is more than 3/4 to 1 inch thick, your lawn will benefit from dethatching. 

Aeration

Lawn aeration is recommended when the soil becomes compacted and water and nutrients can't get to the roots of the plants.  Aeration opens up the soil by pulling plugs of soil out of the lawn letting the air in.  One of the biggest mistakes is not pulling enough plugs from the soil.

Advice

Warm season greases tend to perform better if the aeration is done in late summer when the grass is actively growing.  The aeration is best done by hiring a professional or renting professional equipment.  The lawn should be moderately moist, but not soaking wet, so it is easier to penetrate  and pick a day when the temperature is mild.

Sunbelt Turf Farm began in St. Clair County. Over 30 years have perfected the art of growing, selling and the delivery of quality turf grass. Customer satisfaction is paramount and we stand behind our turf grass. Expansions into Shelby and Talladega Counties successfully turned cotton fields and pasture land into beautiful green turf. Commercial and retail opportunities, pick-up or delivery, free estimates, fast turnaround and remaining environmentally friendly separate us from the rest.

Common Lawncare Mistakes-101

Sunbelt Turf Farm is happy to offer suggestions on how to avoid the most common mistakes homeowners make in regard to their lawn care.

Mowing

The most common mistake people make when mowing their lawn is cutting the grass too short. This encourages weed growth, increases heat stress during dry hot periods and will make your lawn more susceptible to insects and diseases.  A dull lawnmower blade will rip or tear the grass instead of providing a nice even cut.  The tearing of the plant tissue can create a breeding ground for disease and other problems for your lawn.

Advice

Set your mower blade to a height that cuts no more than the top third of the grass.  This will encourage stronger roots.  Always have sharp blades, a dull lawnmower blade is bad news for your lawn.  Have the blades sharpened by a professional to ensure a sharp blade for an even cut.  In our warm weather climate here in Alabama, it may be necessary to have the blades sharpened more than once a year.

Watering

We all know that water is essential to all living things.  Too much water and we drown, too little water and we die. Water makes up over 70% of the weight of our lawn grasses with clippings alone are almost 90% water. Most people worry about not watering their lawns enough but the fact is more lawns are damaged more by over watering than under watering.

Advice

For newly installed sod, you will need to water immediately to ensure the turf gets established.  The sod will need at least 1 inch of water within 1/2 of installation.  You will need to water daily to keep the turf moist until it is firmly rooted.  Then you can water less frequently but with a deeper watering.  For established lawns the amount of water needed is determined by the overall health, beauty and the ability to withstand use and drought. The average lawn needs 1 inch of water per week.  The appearance of your lawn can always be a sign of needing water.  Grass in need of water will have a grey-blue cast and footprints will be visible after about 30 minutes while footprints will disappear in just a few minutes on a well watered lawn.

Fertilizing

When it comes to fertilizing, you need to make sure you are using not only the right mixture, but the right quantity and applying it the right time of the year.  Too much fertilizer tends to increase thatch problems and leaves the lawn more prone to insects and disease. You could actually burn your lawn.  

Advice

Lawn fertilizers usually contain Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium. The grass needs more nitrogen than any other nutrient.  It helps to give the lawn the beautiful green color since it is part of the chlorophyll molecule. Potassium helps with good cell wall development and the plant's ability to withstand stress, disease and damage from insects. Phosphorus is responsible for the energy transfer systems in the plant and is required in smaller amounts than nitrogen and potassium in established lawns.  Shop for slow release nitrogen, it is designed to meter-out the nitrogen over a longer period of time and it doesn't have to be applied as often.  Warm season grasses like we have in Alabama flourish during the warmer summer months. It is best in this area to apply a larger amount of nitrogen in the early-late spring applications and less nitrogen in the fall application. By leaving the grass clippings on your lawn, you are increasing nitrogen and can reduce the need for fertilizer by 25%.

Sunbelt Turf Farm began in St. Clair County. Over 30 years have perfected the art of growing, selling and the delivery of quality turf grass. Customer satisfaction is paramount and we stand behind our turf grass. Expansions into Shelby and Talladega Counties successfully turned cotton fields and pasture land into beautiful green turf. Commercial and retail opportunities, pick-up or delivery, free estimates, fast turnaround and remaining environmentally friendly separate us from the rest.

September 15 - A Very Important Date per Sunbelt Turf Farm

Sunbelt Turf Farm reminds you of an important date!

As the calendar turns through the month of September, Sunbelt Turf Farm would like to remind you that September 15 is an important date in your lawn care maintenance.

Pre-emergent herbicides for winter weeds should be applied to your lawn by September 15.  Pre-emergent herbicides are designed to be applied before the weeds germinate.  This is an effective method of controlling weeds.  Pre-emergent herbicides establish chemical barriers that prevent prevent weeds from growing but will not kill established plants.  The protective barriers break down in six to eight weeks, therefore proper timing of the application is important in order to be effective.

Remember to check all labels thoroughly, be sure that the product can be used on your specific turfgrass and that it will control the weeds you are trying to manage.

Call us at Sunbelt Turf Farm for more information on how to control pesky weeds in your turfgrass!

Sunbelt Turf Farm began in St. Clair County. Over 30 years have perfected the art of growing, selling and the delivery of quality turf grass. Customer satisfaction is paramount and we stand behind our turf grass. Expansions into Shelby and Talladega Counties successfully turned cotton fields and pasture land into beautiful green turf. Commercial and retail opportunities, pick-up or delivery, free estimates, fast turnaround and remaining environmentally friendly separate us from the rest.

Fall Turf Tune Up

Fall is the perfect time to tune up your lawn.  Sunbelt Turf Farms offers information on how to make your spring a little greener by preparing now.

At this time of year, your lawn may start to show signs of wear and tear.  Your lawn can take a beating in the summer with family gatherings, picnics, children and pets.  If your lawn can use a little TLC, fall is the best time to revitalize it so that next year’s lawn will be green and healthy.

Beginning by giving the lawn a good raking, this will improve the look and the health of the lawn.  Aerate the soil, this opens up air channels.  Aeration involves perforating the soil with small holes, this allows air, water and nutrients to penetrate the grass roots.  This will help the roots grow deeply and produce a stronger lawn. 

Grass can benefit from fertilizing in the early fall.  Combination lawn fertilizers are a good choice since they contain fast-release nitrogen, which provides a fast “green-up” and a larger amount of slow-release nitrogen, which feeds the lawn slowly and gently.  Be sure to read all directions and recommendations on the label of your fertilizer.  A natural way to fertilize is to leave your grass clippings on the lawn, as they decompose they will release nitrogen into the turf.  Cutting your grass with a mulching mower will speed up the process.

The fall is a great time to patch dead or damaged spots in your lawn.  Always patch with the same type of grass as the existing lawn.  Remove the damaged turf, loosen the top few inches of soil in the bare section, work in compost to improve the soil and level out the surface.  You are ready now to insert a fresh piece of sod in the damaged area.

You should continue mowing as necessary, but wait on mowing as growth slows so the grass goes into the winter months well insulated.  Set your mower at the highest setting, which should leave the grass less than 1.5 inches tall.

If you take these few steps in the fall, you will reap the benefits in the spring. 

Sunbelt Turf Farm began in St. Clair County. Over 30 years have perfected the art of growing, selling and the delivery of quality turf grass. Customer satisfaction is paramount and we stand behind our turf grass. Expansions into Shelby and Talladega Counties successfully turned cotton fields and pasture land into beautiful green turf. Commercial and retail opportunities, pick-up or delivery, free estimates, fast turnaround and remaining environmentally friendly separate us from the rest.