Washed sod roots faster than conventional sod because of the increase in root biomass. The simple explanation for this is that the more roots you can have directly in contact with the natural soil on the site, the better root growth you get. Conventional sod takes awhile to establish after the stress from cutting, shipping, and installing while washed sod establishes roots almost immediately after installation.

When seeding, the seed is in direct contact with the soil and that is ideal for turf establishment. When you sprig, the stolons and rhizomes are in direct contact with the soil but to get full coverage requires time. With washed sod, the roots, stolons, and/or rhizomes are in direct contact with the soil with full and immediate coverage of the area.

Washed sod starts rooting into the soil about three days after it is installed. You are actually getting a sprigging effect with the use of washed sod and, because the roots penetrate quickly and deeply, you get a healthier, more wear tolerant turf.

Washed sod has more leaf surface than sod with soil therefore washed sod produces more carbohydrates through photosynthesis and it grows more vigorously. The washing away of the soil also eliminates any soil incapability's during establishment where troublesome soil layers and soil textures at production and at the transplant sites differ substantially. The lack of soil in washed sod cuts down on the chances that soil pores will be clogged by smaller particles.

Washed sod on sports fields and golf courses is a valuable method of rapidly establishing greens and playing surfaces following construction. Washed sod can also be used for commercial and residential use, when the benefits of quick establishment outweigh the additional cost of the product.

Disadvantages of Washed Sod

Washed sod is more expensive and the requirement for good management is more intense. Turf managers have to compare the benefits that come with washed sod and the fast establishment time of washed sod against the cost and establishment times of other vegetative turfgrasses. The main problem associated with washed sod is the lack of knowledge about the product and the lack of correct management after the grass is installed.

Washed sod is an alternative to direct seeding, conventional sod or other types of turfgrass establishment. Conventional sod often has a layer interface problem when a finer textured soil material is placed over a contrasting coarser textured soil material. The difference between the two different soil textures creates a problem where the finer textured soil does not freely drain. Water then does not percolate through the sod soil mix into the underlying soil mix and the excessively wet layer of soil becomes anaerobic and reduces proper turf growth. The decline of the turf can begin initially or shortly after establishment when forces of compaction begin to come into effect. Once compaction begins the pore size of both the soil in sod and the underlying soil decreases and affects the pore size between the two layers even greater.

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