Question
What are the guidelines/requirements for laying sod in cold weather for a new home construction?  I heard sod had to be laid before November 15th or in temperatures above 50 degrees?  Is this true and can one hold the builder to those guidelines?

Answer
Some landscapers do this routinely through Winter, but they often overseed with Rye for Green topgrowth.   The University of Arizona Agriculture Dept describes installations of 'Winter Sod':

www.ag.arizona.edu/turf/tips1297.html

They advise, 'If the temperatures are cold, you may need to only water the Lawn once every 3 to 5 days.  Watch the turf closely. Wilted leaves mean that the soil is dry and/or the roots are not penetrating into the real Soil.  The turf should take about ten days to root.'

A Soil test will help you predict what nutrient shortages may impact your Grass.  Point out the Arizona ag pro's: 'With a restricted root system the Ryegrass may develop three nutrient deficiencies in the cold Soil.  These include Nitrogen, Oron and Phosphorous deficiencies.'

But most Grass has everything it needs, and you don't want to add anything you already have.  Too much Phosphorus leads to shortages of other nutrients -- totally counterproductive.  See what's needed first, then act.

Ideally, weather would be warmer.  I am not a fan of late season Sodding.  Apparently that wasn't possible.  Things can still go well; if they do, you'll have a beautiful Green Lime just in time for Summer picnics.

L.I.G.