Glossary

The language of sod.

Every term you need to choose, install, and care for natural grass, defined by people who grow it.

Aeration: Aeration creates holes in the soil to improve air and water flow, making it easier for grass roots to grow deeper and stronger.
Amendments (Soil Amendments): Soil amendments, like compost, improve soil quality, making it easier for sod roots to grow and stay healthy.

Ball Park Blend: Ball Park Blend is a premium sod mix made from Bermuda, ryegrass, and Kentucky Bluegrass, creating a resilient, high-performance grass ideal for sports fields and high-traffic areas. This blend combines the durability and heat tolerance of Bermuda with the quick establishment and vibrant color of ryegrass. The addition of Kentucky Bluegrass enhances density, recovery, and cold-weather performance, resulting in a sod that stays strong and visually appealing throughout the year.
Big Roll Sod: Big roll sod comes in large rolls, ideal for covering big areas like parks and sports fields efficiently and smoothly.

Celebration® Bermuda: Celebration® Bermuda is a tough grass with a rich blue-green color, perfect for high-traffic areas and partial shade.
Compacted Soil: Compacted soil is dense and makes it hard for water, air, and roots to move through, which can stress or damage sod.
Compaction (Soil Compaction): Soil compaction occurs when soil becomes dense and limits water and air flow, making it hard for roots to grow and affecting lawn health.
Cool-Season Grass: Cool-season grasses, like fescue, thrive in cooler climates, staying green in spring and fall but struggling in heat.

Drainage: Drainage is how water moves through the soil, preventing standing water that can lead to poor grass growth or disease.
Drought-Tolerant Grass: Drought-tolerant grass needs less water to stay green, making it perfect for areas with water restrictions or dry climates.

ElitePlus™: ElitePlus™ is a mix of fescue and bluegrass, providing a lush, green lawn that’s easy to maintain year-round.

Fertilization: Fertilization provides essential nutrients to grow thick, green, healthy grass. A starter fertilizer helps new sod establish strong roots.
Fresh Cut Sod: Fresh cut sod is harvested and delivered quickly to stay healthy and ready for installation.

Heat Tolerance: Heat-tolerant grass varieties maintain color and growth even in high temperatures.
Hybrid Bermuda Grass: Hybrid Bermuda grasses, like Tifway, are bred for fine texture, excellent wear tolerance, and disease resistance.

Mowing Height: Mowing height refers to the height at which grass is cut, which directly affects sod health, density, and appearance. Most cool-season sod varieties perform best when maintained at 2-3 inches. In contrast, warm-season grasses, such as Bermuda and Zoysia, typically thrive at a lower mowing height of 1-2 inches. Keeping the grass within the recommended range promotes deeper roots, better stress tolerance, and a more uniform lawn. Why It Matters: Supports healthy root development Reduces weed pressure Improves drought tolerance Enhances overall sod appearance

Overseeding: Overseeding adds grass seed over existing sod to fill in bare spots, improve density, or maintain green color year-round.

Palletized Sod: Palletized sod is stacked on pallets for easy transport, keeping the grass fresh until it’s ready to be installed.
Post-Emergent Herbicide: Post-emergent herbicides kill weeds that have already sprouted, working without damaging the surrounding grass.
Pre-Emergent Herbicide: Pre-emergent herbicides stop weeds from sprouting by creating a barrier underground.

Recovery Rate: Recovery rate measures how quickly grass repairs itself after damage, important for high-use lawns and sports fields.

Salt Tolerance: Salt-tolerant grasses, like St. Augustine, thrive in coastal regions or areas with higher salinity in irrigation water.
Scalping: Scalping happens when grass is cut too short, exposing soil and stressing the lawn.
Shade Adaptability: Shade-adaptable sod, like Celebration® Bermuda, grows well in both sunny and partially shaded areas.
Shade-Tolerant Sod: Shade-tolerant sod grows well in areas with limited sunlight, such as under trees or near buildings.
Sod Edging: Sod edging trims sod neatly around walkways, flower beds, or borders.
Sod Harvester: A sod harvester is a machine that cuts and prepares sod into rolls or slabs for delivery and installation.
Sod Pallets: Sod pallets are stacks of sod rolls or slabs delivered for large projects.
Sod Rolls: Sod rolls are strips of grass with soil attached, rolled up for easy transport and installation.
Sod Rooting: Sod Rooting
Soil Compaction: Compacted soil restricts air, water, and root movement, weakening sod health.
Soil pH: Soil pH measures acidity or alkalinity. Most grasses grow best between pH 6.0 and 7.0.
Soil Preparation: Soil preparation involves clearing debris, loosening soil, and adding nutrients to create a healthy base for sod.
St. Augustine: St. Augustine grass thrives in shaded areas and warm climates, offering thick coverage and excellent salt tolerance.
Starter Fertilizer: Starter fertilizer is applied during installation to help sod develop strong roots quickly.

Tifgreen Bermuda: Tifgreen Bermuda has a fine texture and thrives under close mowing, ideal for golf courses and manicured lawns.
TifTuf™ Bermuda: TifTuf™ Bermuda is a drought-tolerant grass requiring less water while staying green and resilient under heavy traffic.
Tifway Bermuda: Tifway Bermuda is a durable, dark green grass suited for athletic fields and hot climates with excellent resilience.
Topdressing: Topdressing is applying a thin layer of soil or compost over sod to improve soil health and smooth the lawn’s surface.

Warm-Season Grass: Warm-season grasses, like Bermuda, grow best in hot weather and go dormant during colder months.
Water Penetration: Water penetration measures how well water soaks into soil, key for healthy root development.
Wear Tolerance: Wear tolerance describes how well grass withstands foot traffic or heavy use.