You can buy groceries online, new sweatpants, dog food, a lamp shaped like a llama, even a car.
Why not sod? It’s easy, convenient, and saves time.
But you should ask some questions before you order sod online. It’s a big purchase, and doesn’t exactly arrive in a tidy box on your porch.
We’ll get you started with a list of things to know before buying sod online. Here are 10 questions to ask the online sod seller. 
1. Where Do You Get Your Sod?
This is a big one. It might all look the same to you in the online photos, but all sod isn’t the same. If some sod installers offer prices much lower than others, it’s probably not the best sod.
Whether you’re buying sod online or in person, you want sod that’s been well cared for and ready to make a great transition to your yard. You want to be sure it hasn’t been sitting out on a pallet, drying out.
Our Central Florida sod is cut fresh the day it’s scheduled for delivery to you, not stashed on a pallet somewhere baking in the sun.
2. How Do You Ensure Your Sod is Fresh and Healthy?
Don’t be afraid to ask detailed questions about where your sod comes from and how it’s cared for before it lands in your yard.
It’s good to be picky. This is a big investment. Quality sod installers will appreciate the questions — if they have the right answers.
At Ground Source, we drive about an hour farther than we need to and pay about 12 percent more in order to get sod that’s consistently high quality and holds up great, even in the more challenging installation months of June through September.
Our sod provider is the only one in the area that uses an expensive webworm preventative, to keep the sod free of those summer-time damaging pests.
When you’re purchasing sod online take the time to know exactly where your sod comes from, and how quickly it arrives and will be installed after being cut on the farm.
The sooner your fresh sod goes from farm to your soil, the better, so it doesn’t dry out. The same day is best.
3. How Big Are Your Pallets?
You’ll need to know this in order to figure out how much sod you need to order.
Here at Ground Source, our pallets contain 400 square feet of sod.
4. What’s the Minimum Order to Buy Sod Online?
You don’t want to have to order more sod than you need. At Ground Source, our minimum is one pallet.
5. How Many Days Ahead Do You Have to Order The Sod Online?
How do you buy sod online? Plan ahead! Make sure you can get the sod delivered on the day you want to install it. At Ground Source, plan to order at least three days ahead.
6. When is the Sod Harvested?
The answer you want to hear is the answer we give our customers: that morning.
7. Do You Guarantee the Sod?
Not every installer offers one, but we warranty sod for 30 days, provided we install it, during certain times of the year, as long as customers adhere to our post-care requirements, which include treatment with a starter fertilizer, an approved insecticide, and an approved fungicide, as well as following our watering instructions. Some restrictions apply.
8. What Do I Need to Do to Prepare for My Sod Delivery?
Be sure your yard is ready for sod installation. with any grass removed down to the bare dirt.
9. Can You Put the Sod in a Specific Spot in My Yard?
When buying sod online be sure to ask if the sod can be put in a specific spot. At Ground Source we need at least 10 feet for our equipment. But note we can’t drive over septic tanks, propane tanks, irrigation valves, etc. We don’t want to risk damaging them.
10. How Much Should I Order When Buying Sod Online? Should I Get a Bit Extra?
Measure your yard as exactly as possible. If you discover you don’t have quite enough, it’s easier to go pick up another piece than it is to get rid of those heavy extra pieces if you order too much sod. You don’t want three pallets left over. It’s not like pavers or tile you can stack in your garage to save for the next project. Note: Each pallet will weigh between 2500 lbs. and 3000 lbs.
11. How Should I Care for My Sod After I Install It?
At Ground Source we provide detailed instructions on how to care for new sod. Additional instructions are also found within the signed proposal if you engaged us for installation.
Be Sure You’re Ready for Buying Sod Online
We’re happy to deliver our high-quality sod to you for your DIY lawn project in Central Florida.
Maybe you’ve researched sod installation prices and figure you can save money by doing it yourself. But be prepared before those pallets of sod arrive. There’s a lot more to laying sod than simply getting it down.
If you want your new lawn to thrive, install the sod as soon as you receive it.
Water it right away. Roots dry out quickly, and gaps can appear if the sod loses moisture after installation, causing the pieces to shrink.
Apply a systemic insecticide and fungicide, as well as a starter fertilizer.
Buying Sod Online for Central Florida? Trust Ground Source
Buying sod online is convenient, but don’t skip the research. You don’t want any unpleasant surprises on delivery day.
Ask enough questions so you’re sure about your new sod’s quality and freshness.
We’re sod experts in Central Florida, but our skills don’t stop there. We’re with you every step of the way as you plan your perfect outdoor space.
Sod, irrigation, landscape design: Let us transform your yard from an embarrassing eyesore to a place you spend every spare minute.
Are you ready to enjoy the vibrant, impressive yard you've always wanted? Request a quote today! We’ll help you review your options and then transform your property.
