Soil Conditioner Was Not Mixed Properly In Fescue Sod – Will Sod Root Through Conditioner?

Q: I hired a company to install fescue sod. I asked them to mix soil conditioner into the soil as they prepared. They raked the soil conditioner over the soil but didn’t really mix it in. Is the sod going to root through the layer of soil conditioner?

A: In general, plant roots find it hard to penetrate successive layers of different soil types. The goal of soil preparation for sodding is to make a homogeneous six-inch strata in which grass roots can grow without stress. If the soil conditioner layer is just an inch thick, I don’t think there will be a problem. If it’s thicker than that, grass roots will tend to grow there exclusively, leading to problems with drought and heat stress.

If your company is a member of the Urban Ag Council, www.georgiaurbanagcouncil.com, you could get the association to help rectify the situation.