Mid Summer Lawn Care Tips

Hot summer months often require regular watering for lawns and gardens. Follow these easy July lawn care tips to showcase a beautiful landscape all season long.

Soaking sessions. Most lawns need 1 to 1.5 inches of water every week. If rainfall is sparse, watering should occur through irrigation, ensuring water soaks 5-6 inches deep into the soil. Watering for a longer duration, less often, is preferred over daily watering. This routine prepares your grass for potential drought, and creates a hardier grass cover.

Timing is everything. The most efficient time to water your lawn is in the early morning hours, prior to 9 a.m. At this time, there is the least amount of sunlight and wind, and the lower temperatures allow for equal water distribution. Watering at night is not recommended as the lawn then sits with no sunlight, often causing moss, different types of weeds, algae, and possibly diseases to grow and spread. Always check with local watering restrictions in your area.

Adjust your clipping. 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 drys easily, often turning brown and spreading disease.

Fine tune your tools. To ensure an efficient irrigation routine, make sure all sprinklers are aimed at grass, not pavement or hard surfaces. Repair hoses, fittings and nozzles as needed to eliminate leakage and save on water waste.

B&B Hoffman Sod Farms grows natural Kentucky Bluegrass sod which is well-known for its ability to maintain its beauty and adapt to changing temperatures and watering practices. Starting out with a strong, low-maintenance lawn like Kentucky Bluegrass will make a big difference when drought or poor conditions strike. To learn more about summer lawn care and the products that B&B Hoffman Sod Farms offers, visit them online at bbhoffmansod.com or call 763-434-6572.

Contact B&B Hoffman Sod Farms For Your Next Lawn Project

As you gear up for summer and plan hours of outdoor entertaining, contact B&B Hoffman Sod Farms located in Elk River, MN for all your sod needs. From fixing a small patch of lawn to installing a whole new turf, our seasoned professionals are here to help.

Our family sod farm grows, harvests, and delivers the highest quality Kentucky Bluegrass Turf in Minnesota. We are committed to growing a superior product at a low price, and we pride ourselves on impeccable customer service.

B&B Hoffman Sod offers convenient delivery services to homes and businesses to fulfill your sod needs. Our experienced drivers will strategically place pallets of sod around the yard for you, making installation easy. All turfgrass delivered in Minnesota is cut within 24 hours of delivery, ensuring the best possible product.

Are you ready to transform your lawn into lush green grass, with mature density and a solid root system? Within a few hours, sod transforms a yard from bare soil to a living carpet of grass with mature density and a solid root system that looks great instantly. Our Kentucky Bluegrass sod is easy to install and maintain and will leave your yard with a beautiful instant upgrade! 

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

 

Installing Sod in the Fall? It’s The Perfect Time!

A common misconception is that sod must be laid during the typical growing season. It makes sense… we usually plant everything else in the spring. Even though you can successfully lay sod in the spring and summer, installing sod in the fall actually achieves great results. There are a couple of factors to consider when installing sod in the fall.

Fall means cooler temperatures.

The fall months bring cooler temperatures and increased precipitation which is ideal for completing installing sod as there is less risk of your sod overheating or drying out. You still have to water regularly, but you may need to use less water as with the cooler temperatures, the water isn’t evaporating as quickly. This doesn’t mean that you cannot have success in the hotter, dryer months of the summer. You simply need to be more diligent with your watering and maintenance. In other words, if you are planning on going to the cabin every weekend in the summer, it is probably best to wait for the fall to sod your lawn!

Fall sod installation timing.

As long as we are harvesting our sod fields, you can install it in your yard. There are some things to keep in mind when it comes to watering your sod. If you are blowing out your irrigation system, you will still need a water source (think garden hose & sprinklers). If it’s JUST before winter, give it a good soaking and if it freezes it will go dormant and take off in the spring. However, if it warms up again you may need to drag out the hose/sprinklers. This usually occurs in the late October/early November timeframe. We do harvest sod up until the ground is frozen or the snow is too deep, but the rule of thumb is to try and have your project done by the end of October as our Minnesota November weather is very unpredictable.

Fall is a great time to lay sod. Follow these steps when installing and caring for your sod in the fall, and don’t forget to fertilize your lawn (mid-October) with a 20-10-10. If you have any questions regarding the installation of sod feel free to contact us at 763-434-6572.

Summer Lawn Care Tips

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

  1. 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.  
  2. Mow: Mow your grass high in the early summer and leave the grass clippings to break down and help feed the grass.
  3. 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

  1. 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.
  2. 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

  1. Sharpen your Mower Blade: Dull blades can tear grass causing it to lose moisture more readily.
  2. Water in the Morning: Watering between 6 and 10 AM helps lessen the chances of water evaporation due to the summer heat.

  3. 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

Visit B&B Hoffman Sod at the Northern Green Expo

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!

It’s not too late to winterize your lawn!

Many homeowners think October is too late in the season to spend extra time on their lawn, but this is a myth! In preparing for a long, dormant winter, your grass is busy absorbing energy, moisture, and nutrients. Fall is ideal for giving your lawn some TLC to ensure a lush a beautiful lawn come spring.

As you continue to cut and water your lawn this season, drop the blade on your mower to its lowest setting as the season comes to a close. This modification allows more sunlight to reach the grass and less to turn brown over the winter.

Applying fertilizer in the fall provides essential nutrients for grass to grow deep roots and stay healthy until the last snow melts. Using a drop spreader for application provides an even and consistent layer of fertilizer.

If you’ve been waiting to lay sod, now is the time to do so. Cool temperatures and regular rainfall allows sod to retain moisture and root quickly.

And don’t forget to water! Until the ground is frozen plants and grass still need regular watering to stay healthy.

Purchase sod and winterizing fertilizer from B&B Hoffman Sod Farms in Elk River. To learn more about us and products we offer, visit us online or call 763-434-6572.

Lawn Maintenance in Hot August Heat

August often brings high temperatures and sparse precipitation, leaving homeowners wondering how to best care for their lawn. Here are some tips to keep your lawn healthy throughout the season.

Reduce lawn maintenance–for now

Help your lawn beat the heat and make sure your mower is on the highest setting. This will help evenly distribute the moisture it receives and slow the spread of disease (and maybe allow you an extra hour or two on the lake!). Since August is typically a hot, dry month, you may notice browning in some areas, which is natural. Established grass is able to survive during a mild drought and can quickly rebound when moisture levels stabilize.

Review your sod options

Sod can be installed in August however, homeowners will need to be very diligent on watering, doing so 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. 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. 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. 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 stimulates root growth; therefore, you want to mow around the 10 day mark.

To learn more about sod, summer lawn care, and the products that B&B Hoffman Sod Farms offers, visit us online at bbhoffmansodev.wpengine.com or call 763-434- 6572.

B&B Hoffman Sod Farms – July Blog

When, and How Much, to Water Your Lawn

Our lawns need moisture to grow and thrive in the hot summer months, sometimes Mother Nature doesn’t take care of that for us and we need to water our lawns ourselves. But how much water does a lawn need? And when is the best time of day to do it?

A well hydrated lawn is a happy lawn. Most lawns need one inch to 1.5 inches of water every week and if that does not come from rainfall, it should be done through irrigation. Water should soak 5-6 inches deep into the soil for best results.

Homeowners should wait as long as possible between waterings without allowing the plants to go into water stress. Once a week should be plenty for most soil lawns. Those with poor soil may need to water twice a week. It is best to water a lawn heavily and infrequently. This causes plants to develop deep, strong root systems that can extract water from a much larger volume of soil than the shallow roots associated with light, frequent irrigations.

The most efficient time to water your lawn is in the early morning hours between 4-8 a.m. At this time, there is less sunlight and the temperature is lower so there is less water lost to evaporation. The wind is typically calmer in the morning hours, so distribution is improved. Mid-day watering is good for the plants because it cools the plant temperatures, but it is not efficient because some of the water will evaporate before it even gets into the soil.

Watering at night is not recommended because the lawn then sits wet all night. This can cause moss to grow, as well as different types of weeds, algae and possibly diseases.

B&B Hoffman Sod Farms can help keep your yard in shape with its easy-to- use small sod rolls that make laying turfgrass yourself easy and efficient. Don’t need sod? Check out B&B Hoffman’s supply of fertilizer to help your lawn build strong roots and keep your grass healthy and thick.

To learn more about summer lawn care and the products that B&B Hoffman Sod Farms offers, visit them online at bbhoffmansodev.wpengine.com or call 763-434- 6572.

How to Get your Lawn Back in Shape Before Summer’s Outdoor Events

Spring is a great time to get your lawn back in shape after the harsh winter and get it ready for summer events including graduation parties, weddings, BBQs and family reunions.

Using a good fertilizer with a weed and feed (dandelions are here!) is a great place to start repairing the damage from winter. B&B Hoffman Sod Farms in Elk River sells bags of weed and feed fertilizer. If you have some particularly bad spots, you can pick up a few rolls of sod while you’re there for an “instant fix.”

Other things to do in the spring include raking to remove thatch and leaves to get air to the lawn. If your lawn has a lot of traffic, you’ll want to watch for compaction. If your soil is compacted, it will have less room to hold the air and water that keep it healthy. This makes it harder for the roots to penetrate the soil and harder for fertilizers to be absorbed into the soil.

To treat a compacted lawn, aerate the soil at the beginning of the growing season. Aerating will cause there to be larger spaces in the soil and allow more oxygen, fertilizer, nutrients and water to penetrate. The day before you plan to aerate, water the lawn thoroughly to make the process easier. Small lawns can be aerated with special sandals with spikes attached to the bottom that aerate the lawn as you walk around. Larger lawns may require a petrol-powered core aerator, which can be rented.

Following these spring lawn-care tips can help get your yard in perfect shape before summer’s outdoor events. To learn more about spring lawn care and the products that B&B Hoffman Sod Farms offers, visit them online at bbhoffmansodev.wpengine.com or call 763-434- 6572.