The plastic mesh underneath sod undoubtedly serves an important purpose. In this article, you will learn why does sod have plastic mesh.
The plastic mesh underneath the sod keeps the soil and grass intact during transportation. The netting prevents rolls of sod from tearing, albeit you should remove it when placing it down.
Aside from that, the lawn mesh inhibits the growth of weeds. That explains why some folks prefer to leave it on the sod.
Moreover, turf growers believe that the plastic mesh benefits both homeowners and the environment. The hallmark of this post is to open a can of insights into the subject.
So, read further and find out more.
Why Is There Plastic Mesh Under My Sod Lawn?
In case you’re wondering why your sod lawn has a plastic netting underneath it, here are the reasons explaining why:
1) The Plastic Mesh Protects new Sod From adverse weather, particularly in areas susceptible to erosion.
Heavy rains would cause sheet erosion that would uproot “unmeshed” sod. As subsequent seed sprouts reproduce, the sod mesh aids in keeping them in check.
2) The Plastic Mesh Maintains Soil Stability During Sod Planting, Keeping It From Falling and Exposing Immature Sod Roots.
The netting keeps the soil compacted and thus ensures the grass-root hairs don’t lose water while moving them from one spot to another.
3) You’re Likely To Purchase Sod From Farmland That Grew The Grass.
It’s available in rectangular or square patches spreading over and placed on ready-to-use soil. Most companies put thin mesh around the grassroots to sustain the rectangular form during shipping.
Turf growers always leave the plastic mesh after planting fresh grass. You may argue it was a terrible grass job, though there is a reason to leave it sometimes.
4) The Plastic Sod Mesh Controls Weeds.
Opportunistic weeds can sprout and spread in lawns with intermittent patches. The sod mesh comes in handy to prevent such happenings.
5) The Turf Reinforcement is Convenient in Sloping Areas
It aids in maintaining the form of the grass before rooting starts. It minimizes grass wear and damage by dispersing loads and generating a stronger root foundation while preserving a natural grass cover layout.
The plastic netting will quickly vanish into the lawn, leaving an undetectable enhanced natural-looking grass covering.
Also read: When to walk on new sod
Are You Supposed To Remove The Netting From The New Grass?
No, there is no reason to remove it, most plastic netting are biodegradable and will disintegrate on its own. You also don’t have to undo the staples until they pull themselves from the ground.
However, your lawn’s upkeep history may inform your decision to remove the sod mesh. Some turf growers advise you to detach the mesh provided you properly prepped the planting area.
If you decide to remove the netting, you’ll have to wait until your sod gets to the mowing stage; otherwise, you risk tearing out the shallow sod roots.
Why Remove The Netting From The New Grass?
Here are some reasons if you still want to remove the plastic netting in sod:
1) As time passes, removing the mesh gets difficult. Root development speeds up grass growth and distorts the shape of the netting.
2) Some durable netting can endure for over a decade, sustaining many grass generations. This durability, however, is not always a beneficial thing, seeing that it would have shattered into countless, unmanageable little pieces scattered around the grass area.
3) The mesh may show through in some places within the lawn, particularly in heavily trampled areas, and could be messy. Sod nets are either biodegradable or non-biodegradable plastics that mostly come in green and black colors.
Once they peek through some areas of your grass, be sure your turf will look untamed.
4) It’s challenging to carve channels in the ground while seeding new grass into uneven areas of the lawn, especially with a slit seeder. The seeder would tangle the plastic mesh, which will cause it not to cut deep enough.
5) Aside from the irritating plastic-cutting sound and the time spent untangling the blades, the plastic parts and fragments might end up strewn throughout the yard.
Also Read: Can you lay sod over sand
How to Remove Sod Plastic Mesh
Removing the plastic mesh from your sod is a breeze. You can handle it yourself, though it’d be a brilliant idea to solicit the help of someone else.
Before embarking on the task, ensure you have a pair of scissors or a box cutter, gloves, and someone to help pull out the plastic netting while you stretch the sod. In addition, ensure you level your lawn and till the soil well, apply a starter fertilizer, and water your lawn before planting.
Procedure
1) Position the grass roll on the designated spot, putting the roll’s end near the edge of the yard or bed. Place it squarely on the area you’d like to sod, though not directly on the prepped spot.
2) Strip the whole packing stabilizer netting covering the sod roll. You employed the mesh to secure the sod while in transportation, and it did its job well.
3) Starting with the roll’s end, remove the netting underneath the sod. Prepare to unfurl the roll by placing it at the edge of the yard, which serves as a starting point.
4) Your assistant should grasp a ‘fistful’ of the unfastened mesh. Start unspooling the sod gently by having one drag the roll while one stands in front of it.
5) Gently pull out the mesh to detach it from the soil and uncoil it to its designated place in the yard. Ensure you tug the mesh gently to keep the soil and the grassroots intact.
6) After laying down the entire roll, firmly press it into the lawn to integrate the grass soil with the topsoil.
7) Repeat the procedure for the whole turf, then cover the gaps along any joints with residual sod patches.
Important Pointers
If you expect significant activity on some sections of the turf, it is advisable to leave the plastic mesh intact. The netting stimulates the growth of well-established roots resistant to utter uprooting by foot activity.
When moving the mesh, be mindful not to rip it out too quickly. This lapse might endanger the roots.
Transplanting during the wet season is an excellent option. However, if you have to do it during a dry season, do it a few hours after irrigating the sod properly or transplant it in the evening.
In addition, check whether the mesh material is biodegradable. It’s pointless to remove biodegradable netting since its advantages exceed its drawbacks.
Biodegradable meshing will gradually fade with time, leaving the lawn undisturbed. The issue is that biodegradable netting is somewhat costly.
FAQs
How Long Does It Take For Lawn Netting To Disintegrate?
The lawn netting takes roughly three years to disintegrate, based on the kind and thickness of material used. Three years enough to grow healthy grass and avert slope erosion.
Does all sod have plastic mesh?
Most types of sod have a plastic mesh underneath them that helps to hold the grass and soil together while being transported.
Conclusion
Despite the potential inconveniences caused by plastic netting, sod remains a popular choice for home grounds. You may withdraw the mesh either before or after laying it down, but it’s far simpler to do it before.
Remember, the plastic mesh keeps the sod intact while moving it from one spot to another. It also stops your sod from bundling up and stooping if your lawn is in a sloppy area.
Hey there, I’m Derek Schew, a writer for Lawnholic.com, where we cover everything and anything related to lawns. As someone who’s spent countless hours tending to my own lawn, I’m passionate about sharing my knowledge and helping others achieve the perfect yard. From lawn care tips to product reviews, I’m committed to providing our readers with the most accurate and up-to-date information available. So whether you’re a seasoned lawn enthusiast or just getting started, I invite you to join our community and discover the joys of a lush, green lawn.