Ever wonder where sod grass comes from? We’ll walk you through the intricate process of sod harvesting, from cultivation to delivery. Whether you’re a landscaping professional or a homeowner looking to transform your outdoor space, understanding how sod is harvested will help you appreciate the care and expertise that goes into every roll of turf we produce.
The Life Cycle of Sod: Bermudagrass
Before we delve into the harvesting process, we need to start with the life cycle of sod grass.
Cultivation and Growth
- Soil Preparation: The process begins with careful soil preparation, ensuring optimal pH levels and nutrient content. This involves soil testing, adjusting pH with lime or sulfur as needed, and incorporating organic matter to improve soil structure.
- Sprigging: As warm-season grasses,. our varieties are established using sprigs due to their faster establishment, growth habit and genetic purity.
- Irrigation and Fertilization: State-of-the-art irrigation systems and precise fertilization schedules promote healthy, robust growth. Soil moisture sensors and weather data help optimize watering, while fertilization programs are tailored to the specific needs of each grass variety.
- Mowing and Maintenance: Regular mowing encourages lateral growth and density, creating a lush, carpet-like appearance. Strict mowing schedules are followed, gradually lowering the cutting height to promote thicker growth.
Maturation Period
Most turfgrass varieties typically require 6-12 months of growth before they’re ready for harvest, depending on the time of planting. During this time, expert turf managers monitor the grass closely, adjusting care practices as needed to ensure optimal development.
- Weed Control: An integrated pest management approach helps control weeds without compromising grass health.
- Disease Prevention: Regular scouting and preventive treatments help maintain the health of sod fields.
- Root Development: Proper irrigation and aeration practices encourage deep root growth.
The Sod Harvesting Process
When the sod reaches maturity, the harvesting process begins. Professional sod farms use advanced harvesting equipment to ensure consistency and quality in every cut. Here at Legacy Turf Farms, we use a Firefly automatic harvester to ensure a consistent cut for every piece.
Pre-Harvest Preparation
- Irrigation Management: Watering schedules are adjusted to achieve the ideal moisture content for harvesting. This typically means reducing (or increasing) irrigation 24-48 hours before cutting to ensure the sod is firm enough to handle but soft enough to cut.
- Final Mowing: A last trim ensures uniform height across the field. The mowing height depends on the grass variety and its intended use.
- Field Inspection: Quality control teams check for any issues before harvesting begins. This includes assessing grass density, color uniformity, and the presence of any weeds or bare spots.
Harvesting Equipment (What are Sod Harvesters?)
Sod harvesters are specialized agricultural machines designed specifically for cutting and collecting mature turfgrass from sod fields. These pieces of equipment make it easy to perform efficient and precise harvesting of grass for landscaping and sports turf applications.
- Cut precise widths and lengths of sod (typically 16-24 inches wide and 4-6 feet long)
- Maintain a consistent cutting depth (usually 1/2 to 3/4 inch)
- Roll the cut sod for easy transport and installation
Specialized harvesters equipped with GPS technology ensure straight, uniform cuts and minimize waste. These machines are regularly calibrated and maintained to guarantee optimal performance.
The Cutting Process
- The harvester moves across the field, cutting horizontal strips of sod. The machine’s speed is carefully controlled to ensure clean, even cuts. We have a trained harvest tech sitting in the cab of the harvester to keep an eye on any unsightly or unpresentable pieces of sod. If he sees a poor quality piece of sod come up the conveyor belt, he presses a button to eject it and it does not get included in the sod pallet for sale.
- A blade underneath cuts the grass roots at a predetermined depth. This depth is crucial – too shallow, and the sod may fall apart; too deep, and it becomes difficult to handle and establish in its new location.
- The cut sod is automatically rolled as it moves up a conveyor belt. This process requires precision to ensure the rolls are tight enough to hold together but not so tight as to damage the grass.
- Rolls are stacked on pallets or loaded onto big roll harvesters for larger projects. Specialized forklifts with clamps designed to handle sod without damaging it are used for this process.
Harvesting Big Roll vs. Small Sod Rolls
Sod farms typically offer two main harvesting methods to suit different project needs:
Small Sod Rolls
- Dimensions: Typically 16-24 inches wide and 4-6 feet long
- Weight: 30-50 pounds per roll
- Ideal for: Residential lawns, smaller commercial projects, areas with limited access
Small sod rolls are versatile and easy to handle, making them perfect for DIY projects or installations in tight spaces. They can be easily transported in a pickup truck or trailer, allowing for flexibility in delivery and installation.
Big Roll Sod
- Dimensions: 42 inches wide and up to 185 feet long (300 SQFT)
- Weight: Can exceed 1,500 pounds per roll
- Ideal for: Large-scale projects, golf courses, sports fields, commercial landscapes
The big roll harvesting method offers several advantages:
- Faster installation: A single big roll can cover the same area as multiple small rolls, significantly reducing installation time.
- Fewer seams in the finished lawn: This results in a more uniform appearance and reduces potential weak points in the turf.
- Reduced labor costs for large projects: The efficiency of big roll installation can lead to substantial labor savings on large-scale projects.
- Minimized root damage during transport: Less handling means less stress on the grass, leading to quicker establishment.
Post-Harvest Care
The care doesn’t stop once the sod is harvested. Several steps are taken to maintain the quality of turfgrass during transport and storage:
Immediate Cooling
- Harvested sod is quickly moved to shaded areas.
- This prevents heat buildup in the rolls, which can damage the grass.
Moisture Management
- Optimal moisture levels in the sod are carefully monitored and maintained.
- Too dry: The grass may be brittle or break apart.
- Too wet: Can lead to fungal growth or decomposition, or temporary yellowing.
Efficient Transportation
Quick delivery is prioritized to minimize the time between harvest and installation. Trucks are typically equipped with GPS tracking allowing for maintenance of optimal conditions throughout the delivery process.
Quality Assurance in Sod Harvesting
Professional sod farms prioritize quality assurance throughout the harvesting process:
Expert Teams
- Harvesters are skilled professionals with years of experience.
- Regular training through the manufacturer (Firefly Automatix) ensures they stay up-to-date with the latest harvesting techniques.
Ongoing education and certification programs keep teams at the forefront of turf management and harvesting practices.
Cutting-Edge Equipment
- Investment in the most advanced harvesting machinery available is common.
- Regular maintenance and upgrades ensure consistent, high-quality cuts.
Equipment often includes GPS-guided harvesters, automated roll stackers, and specialized handling equipment designed to minimize stress on the grass.
Rigorous Quality Control
- Each batch of harvested sod undergoes thorough inspection.
- Checks for uniformity, thickness, and overall health are performed before shipping.
Sustainability Practices
- Harvesting methods are designed to minimize soil erosion and preserve field health.
- Crop rotation and sustainable farming practices ensure long-term soil viability.
Many farms are committed to environmental stewardship, using precision agriculture techniques to reduce water usage and minimize chemical inputs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sod Harvesting
How long does it take for sod to be ready for harvest after planting?
It depends on the grass. Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass typically requires 10-14 months of growth before it’s ready for harvest. If planted during the optimal time at the start of the growing season, it can be ready to harvest in 6 months or less. This period allows the grass to develop a strong root system and achieve the density needed for successful transplantation.
Can sod be harvested year-round?
While we can harvest sod throughout much of the year, the ideal harvesting season depends on the grass type and local climate. In Georgia, we typically harvest Tahoma 31 Bermudagrass and Tifway 419 Bermudagrass year-round because they are known to be hardy. When temperatures reach 65 and rising again, the sod greens up and begins growing.
How soon after harvesting should sod be installed?
For best results, sod should be installed as soon as possible after harvesting, ideally within 12-24 hours.
What’s the difference between sod and turf?
While often used interchangeably, “sod” typically refers to grass and a thin layer of soil held together by roots or a thin biodegradable layer. “Turfgrass” is a term used by green industry folks referring to any well maintained natural grass surface. “Turf” can refer to any grass surface, including both natural and artificial options.
How much sod can be harvested from an acre?
On average, an acre of well-maintained sod can yield about 43,560 square feet of turf. However, this can vary depending on factors such as grass type, growing conditions, and harvesting methods.
Is there a difference in quality between big roll sod and small roll sod?
The quality of the sod itself is the same whether it’s harvested in big rolls or small rolls. The choice between the two depends on the size of your project and the equipment available for installation. Big rolls are generally more efficient for large areas, while small rolls offer more flexibility for smaller or irregularly shaped spaces.
Ready to transform your landscape with premium Tahoma 31 or Tifway 419 Bermudagrass?
Contact Legacy Turf Farms today to discuss your project and schedule a sod delivery. Let us help you create the lush, durable turf you’ve always dreamed of!
