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How Often to Water New Sod

June 15, 2020 by BBadmin

As the intense heat of summer starts, be certain you’re tending to your new lawn to ensure that it will flourish going forward. Getting sufficient water onto new sod, and keeping it moist throughout the next few weeks is critical. Below is a breakdown of what your watering schedule should look like.

The day of installation.

As you install your new sod, be sure to have the sprinklers going right away. Start your sprinklers once you have an area installed large enough that you won’t get wet as you continue to lay your new sod. In dry or windy conditions, move your sprinklers often so no area goes too long without water. Be sure to water long enough that when you lift a roll of sod, the water has penetrated through the sod and has saturated the ground underneath…. Bog like.

The next three weeks.

Keep the below-turf soil surface moist with daily (or more) waterings. Your sod is like a wet sponge– it is moist when it’s laid down and if it’s not watered immediately, the sod will shrink which can lead to cracks between each roll. If your sod looks dry or has a bluish look, water immediately! When you water every day it takes less water to keep the sod moist. Plan to water your new sod two to four times each day for the first seven to ten days after it is laid.

Tip one.

Water long enough so that when you step onto the sod it’s squishy, or set a tuna can out by the sprinkler and when it’s filled, move your sprinkler to a new area. If you use a pulsating sprinkler or a sprinkler system, it should take approximately 45 minutes. An oscillating sprinkler will take about one hour.

Tip two.

Water as early in the morning as possible. The morning usually has lower wind speeds and has less loss of water evaporation.

Tip three.

If you have issues with runoff on sloped areas before the soil is adequately moist, turn off the water when runoff begins, wait 30 minutes and restart the watering on the same area.

Tip four.

Make SURE that the areas being watered over-lap. Corners and edges are particularly vulnerable to drying out faster than the center of new sod.

Always monitor your lawn for signs of dryness. If you find there are spots your sprinklers aren’t reaching, use a handheld sprayer to spot-water those areas. Your vigilant work will be worth it when you have a lush green lawn to enjoy for years to come. B&B Hoffman Sod is available to answer any questions at 763-434-6572!

Summer Lawn Care Tips

May 27, 2020 by BBadmin

Minnesota summers are short, sweet and the best time to live life outdoors. But, what fun is your yard if the grass is patchy, weedy, and uncomfortable to walk on? The basis for enjoying the outdoors and your yard is a lush lawn. Spending some time maintaining your grass requires a little more than watering and mowing but it will pay off. To enjoy soft green grass all summer long you will need to manage weeds and pests, and make sure your lawn has the nutrients it needs to handle the summer heat. Below are a few tips on how you can help your lawn flourish this summer and next.

Early Summer

Treat for Pests & Weeds: Check with your local lawn care company about applying weed control and spraying for pests. You can also find weed and pest controls at a local hardware store to tackle it on your own.
Mow: Mow your grass high in the early summer and leave the grass clippings to break down and help feed the grass.
Feed: Feeding in the early summer helps strengthen your lawn so it has a better chance to fight heat and drought conditions. We recommend a blend of fertilizer similar to 5-14-42 in the summer.

Mid Summer

Water: Water deeply to ensure strong root growth. The goal is to water long enough to have the water penetrate the soil between 4-6 inches deep.
Mow: Mow your grass to its specified type height, usually around 2 ½ to 3 inches. Taller grass is a natural weed repellent and allows deeper root growth. Shorter grass dries easily, often turning brown and spreading disease.

Late Summer

Sharpen your Mower Blade: Dull blades can tear grass causing it to lose moisture more readily.
Water in the Morning: Watering between 6 and 10 AM helps lessen the chances of water evaporation due to the summer heat.
Watch for Weeds: If weeds reemerge, continue to spot spray.

If your lawn is looking less than desirable and you’re tired of it, give us a call to chat about installing natural turf grass for an instant transformation. Each piece is grown in uniform thickness and bred to be dark green, soft, and durable to withstand harsh climates. As a locally owned business with years of service, we can help you achieve a green, lush lawn that you can enjoy all summer long! Call us today at 763-434-6572 or email us at sales@bbhoffmansod.com

Prepping Your Yard For Spring and Summer

March 16, 2020 by BBadmin

Spring is just around the corner and that means graduation, hosting and bonfire season isn’t much further. If a graduation party (or any party) is scheduled to unfold at your place, you may be a little worried looking at the current state of your yard. Winter weather can leave your lawn in rough shape. To help bring your yard back to it’s best self, it is important to do some spring clean up and maintenance. Here are some tips to help bring your yard back to life and keep it thriving throughout the summer.

Rake and Clear Out

Starting NOW, grab your rake and collect the leaves, twigs, dead grass left by voles & field mice and other debris that has accumulated in your yard over the winter. The more material you have on the ground, the harder it will be for your lawn to get the nutrients it needs.

De-Thatch

De-thatching should be done every spring, de-thatching allows you to get the thatch (dried out, dead grass and organic debris) out of the grass, allowing air to get at the base of the plant which gives it a healthy start in the spring after winter. This can be done at the end of April or Early May weather dependent.

Apply Fertilizer

By applying fertilizer you are helping supplement your lawn with nutrients it has lost over the winter. We suggest you apply a 5-14-42 fertilizer in the spring. You get the most traction with fertilizer in May and June therefore we recommend applying it once the snow is gone for good and reapply in 4-6 weeks. In the fall you should use a blend of 20-10-10 to winterize your lawn. With proper fertilizing, you will minimize the number of weeds as your grass will be thick enough to overcrowd the weeds.

Consider Aerating Your Lawn

Aerating should be done once a year, and it is generally best to do it in the spring. Aerating is pulling plugs of sod/soil out of the ground, allowing air to get into the subsoil to get to the root of the plant, effectively stopping compaction. If you decide to aerate your lawn be sure to fertilize and water immediately; this will get fertilizer to the root of the plant as well, creating a strong root structure. This can be done mid-May or in June.

Is Your Grass too Far Gone?

If your yard has bare spots or you are wanting an instant refresh, consider natural grass. Our natural grass brings a yard from bare soil to a living carpet of grass with mature density and a solid root system that looks great instantly. No more waiting until mid-summer for the perfect yard!

Sod creates a soft, clean, and safe playing surface for children and pets, and provides a great environment for family entertaining and gatherings. Learn more about sod and the products B&B Hoffman Sod Farms offers by visiting us online at www.bbhoffmansod.com or call 763-434- 6572.

Invest in our sod for your commercial projects

February 28, 2020 by BBadmin

While our busy season is typically marked from the day the ground thaws in the spring until it’s frozen in late fall, we keep busy with our commercial clients in the winter months. We love connecting with Landscape Business Owners at home and garden expos, as well as maintaining our long standing relationships over coffee, while planning for the upcoming season. If you are planning large projects, or investing in a new commercial operation, consider these three reasons when choosing B&B Hoffman Sod for your landscaping supplier needs.

Soil Consistency. As a family run company deeply rooted in the natural grass growing business, we are committed to producing the best Kentucky Bluegrass turf in Minnesota. Our natural grass is grown at one of three farms in central Minnesota, offering a slight variety in temperature and terrain to ensure a fruitful season. Upon delivery, you will notice about an inch of consistent, well textured soil, to help the roots stay strong as they are transplanted in your lawn or commercial property. A strong base of consistent soil will allow the grass enough root support to keep them in place and continue to thrive.

Regular Maintenance. Lush, emerald green lawns are a symbol of status and beauty. Our natural grass is fertilized regularly and irrigated as necessary to produce beautiful, strong grass. Our sod is produced to withstand drought conditions and avoid wilting, browning, or unsightly problems such as crabgrass. Our technicians take great pride in mowing every field, every other day. It is one of the most important parts of the growing process, as mowing stimulates root growth. After each field is mowed, we follow up with a roller to compact the soil and counteract any tire marks.

Proper Harvesting. Our natural grass is planted in late summer and harvested about 12-16 months after planting to ensure a hardy root structure. Sod is harvested at the peak of maturity, when the ground isn’t frozen–usually April to November. We prefer to harvest in the morning, so the ground temperature (and therefore the sod temperature) is lower, increasing the shelf life of the product. You will notice our natural grass holds moisture at the roots and is a bright, consistent color, indicating a high quality sod.

We are proud to grow about 600 acres of natural grass every year, available for delivery or pick up, in big and small rolls for any size job. To learn more about B&B Hoffman Sod Farms and our family business, visit us online at www.bbhoffmansod.com or call 763-434- 6572.

Visit B&B Hoffman Sod at the Northern Green Expo

December 19, 2019 by BBadmin

As the ground hardens and snow blankets our sod farm, our focus shifts from growing and selling sod, to connecting with our commercial partners and planning for the season ahead. For 19 years we have participated in the Northern Green Expo, a trade show held each January at the Minneapolis Convention Center. This unique event is presented by the Minnesota Nursery and Landscape Association and Minnesota Turf and Grounds Foundation, bringing together a wide variety of professional outdoor resources to educate and network.

Held January 14th-16th 2020, attendees can take part in training modules and social events, meet with exhibitors, listen to keynote speakers, and showcase trades related to outdoor supplies or maintenance. Supported by major industry leaders in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, it is a great opportunity to learn more about landscaping, nurseries, ground maintenance and anything related to planning and living in the warmer weather months.

More than 6,000 people visit the Northern Green Expo every year to network and eagerly plan the next growing season. If you are interested in learning more, please click here for additional details on the event. Stop by booth 709 if you are around to meet our family and discuss the best sod options for your spring plans.

B&B Hoffman Sod is currently closed for the season, but are always available to answer questions at 763-434-6572. We hope to see you at the Northern Green Expo in January!

Fall cleanup: rake, mulch, or do nothing?

October 29, 2019 by BBadmin

A common question this time of year is the best way to complete fall yard cleanup. Is it beneficial for your lawn to spend time raking and bagging leaves, or should you plan on mowing over everything and mulching the rest? Better yet, spend a couple of extra hours at the apple orchard or pumpkin patch–and do nothing at all?

The truth is, it’s up to you and depends on your lawn and landscaping needs. Essentially, homeowners want to avoid more than 10-20% of their grass to be covered in leaves when the snow falls. Excessive leaf matter going into winter may smother the grass and inhibit growth, as well as promote mold diseases, and encourage turf damage from critters like voles and mice. Read on for the three most common fall clean up techniques and the pros and cons of each.

Raking. Improve your arm strength by raking (or using a leaf blower) to gather a pile, then bag for disposal, or deliver to a compost site. Depending on the size of your lawn and number of trees on site, this may take an hour or a full day. In order to rake efficiently, lawns should be dry and trimmed. Additional bag fees or compost facility charges may deter people from going this route, but the excitement of jumping in a large leaf pile has its benefits too.

Mowing and mulching. Chopping grass and leaves into small pieces (also known as mulching) so they incorporate into your lawn canopy via a lawn mower benefits the soil in a number of ways. Nutrients and organic matter may add nitrogen to the lawn and assist in root growth. Some leaf types have even been shown to reduce weed germination over time. Mulching may require more frequent mowing in the fall, but specialized attachments and mulching mowers can also be purchased to make this job easier.

Leaving it be. If you have no trees and the wind blows away more than 10% of your lawn coverage, you may be off the hook for raking and mowing. Use your extra time wisely before the snow sets in!

Planning ahead for spring. Already dreaming of epic outdoor parties for next year? Don’t wait to upgrade your lawn! Apply fertilizer every fall to provide nutrients for grass to create deep roots and stay healthy in a dormant season. If you’ve been holding off until spring to lay sod, there is still time yet this year. Cool temperatures and regular rainfall this time of year encourages our Kentucky Bluegrass turf to retain moisture. Make sure to water regularly until the ground is frozen.

Consult with our experts, purchase sod and find winterizing fertilizer at B&B Hoffman Sod Farms in Elk River by visiting us online or calling 763-434-6572.

How is sod harvested?

September 24, 2019 by BBadmin

Cultivating sod for our clients requires patience, time, and attention to detail. B & B Hoffman crews work tirelessly to grow turf that is healthy, robust, and free from weeds so when planted in its final destination it compliments any home, workplace, or recreation area.

With three family farms in different central Minnesota locations, we help ensure a fruitful season by offering a variety of terrain and temperature. Our Kentucky Bluegrass is fertilized regularly and mowed every other day to produce thick, full turf. Sod is harvested 12-16 months after planting when the ground is not frozen (in our case, typically April through November).

Sod is harvested in the morning while the sod temperatures is low, therefore increasing the shelf life of the product. Our specially designed sod harvesting machine lifts strips of sod out of the earth like long rolls of carpet, removing both the sod and some of the underlying soil so the root system stays in place. It is rolled into two sizes for purchase at our Elk River location, or available for delivery throughout the Midwest.

To see more photos and videos, or learn more about the products B&B Hoffman Sod Farms offers, visit us online at www.bbhoffmansod.com, or call 763-434- 6572.

Improve your lawn with new sod, even in late summer heat!

August 26, 2019 by BBadmin

If you’ve spent most of the summer trying to get grass seed to sprout, only to have a mud pit in your yard, consider trying sod. Available in multiple sizes, sod is easy to install and maintain, offering a lush, beautiful lawn before the leaves begin to fall.

Preparation. To create a thriving lawn, it is important to first prepare the soil. Loosen the top six to eight inches of soil by raking or tilling, adding any amendments your particular soil may need (such as clay, sand, or peat moss). Level the surface with a rake and grade toward walkways or driveways as needed.

Installation. Sod can be installed anytime, but in August homeowners need to be diligent with watering. If you have the opportunity, lay sod on a cool, overcast day to minimize plant stress. Stagger rolls in a brick-like pattern and place seams together without overlapping.

Water regularly. Moisten the soil to a depth of 4 inches or until you can lift the sod and see that the water has penetrated through and saturated the ground underneath. Remember to water at least once or twice a day for 8 days. After 8 days, the grass will tell you if it needs water by appearing bluish in color. After 8-10 days gently tug at the sod, if you feel a little resistance, then you know the roots are starting to anchor in the soil and it is safe to mow.

Mowing and Maintenance. Mowing stimulates root growth; therefore, you want to mow around the 10 day mark. Ensure your mower is on the highest setting to help evenly distribute the moisture it receives and slow the spread of disease. Consider bagging the clippings the first few times to stimulate further root development. Allow your lawn about a month of growth, then feed it with fertilizer to counteract any nutrients that may have been lost due to heavy watering in the beginning of the process.

Turfgrass sod creates a soft, clean, and safe playing surface for children and pets, provides a great environment for lawn games, and improves family entertaining. Learn more about sod and the products B&B Hoffman Sod Farms offers by visiting us online at www.bbhoffmansod.com or call 763-434- 6572.

B&B Hoffman Sod Farm

July 31, 2019 by BBadmin

Thanks for supporting our family farm for 30 years

June 18, 2019 by BBadmin

B&B Hoffman Sod farm is celebrating its 30th year of producing high quality sod for Midwest homeowners, landscapers, and builders. As a family run company deeply rooted in the sod growing business, we are committed to producing the best Kentucky Bluegrass turf in Minnesota.

Our sod is grown at one of three farms in central Minnesota, offering a slight variety in temperature and terrain to ensure a fruitful season. Seeds are planted in late summer (a lot of seed, about 70 pounds per acre!) and we irrigate as necessary. Our sod is fertilized regularly to produce lush, beautiful grass. Typically, sod is harvested about 12-16 months after plantings to ensure a hardy root structure.

We take great pride in mowing every field, every other day. It is one of the most important parts of the growing process, as mowing stimulates root growth. After each field is mowed, we follow up with a roller to compact the soil and counteract any tire marks.

Sod is harvested when the ground isn’t frozen–usually April to November. We prefer to harvest in the morning, so the ground temperature (and therefore the sod temperature) is lower, increasing the shelf life of the product. We offer two sizes of sod for our customers, small rolls are ideal for homeowners, while large rolls are perfect for wide open spaces or commercial properties. B&B Hoffman Sod offers convenient delivery throughout the Midwest or pickup at our Elk River, MN location.

We are proud to grow about 600 acres of sod every year. Our family name is not just on our trucks, but in every blade of grass we grow, every delivery we make and every question we answer for our customers. We know this is what makes our company so strong.

To learn more about B&B Hoffman Sod Farms and our family business, visit us online at www.bbhoffmansod.com or call 763-434- 6572.