12 CIRCULAR 328, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



DIFFERENT SIZES OF SODS 



Twelve sizes, ranging from 2 to 17 inches square and from 2 to 4 

 inches deep, have been compared in annual transplan tings since 1929. 

 A 4-inch cube was the most efficient in spread and the most convenient 

 to handle, except for large-scale transplanting where a 2-inch depth 

 was preferred. Sods larger in surface area than 4 inches square spread 

 faster but not so rapidly in proportion to their original area. The 

 large pieces may be used to advantage if it is found convenient to do 

 so and the source of supply is plentiful. Smaller sods, particularly the 

 2-inch squares 4 inches deep, spread much more slowly than the 4-inch 

 cubes. 



For sods ranging from 2 to 6 inches square, those cut 4 inches deep 

 spread considerably faster than those cut shallower. When larger 

 sods were used the thin sods spread almost as fast as the thick ones. 



WIDTH OF SPACING 



Experiments in spacing transplanted buffalo-grass sods were started 

 in 1929 and repeated each year thereafter. The results indicate that 

 4-inch cubes or 6-inch squares 4 inches deep, spaced 1 foot apart in 

 rows 1 foot apart, will spread to cover the intervening spaces in 1 year 

 under local dry-land conditions. Similar sods spaced 3 feet apart re- 

 quired less than 3 years to make a complete cover of grass (figs. 8 

 and 9). At the end of 5 seasons the sods spaced 6 feet apart had 

 spread to cover practically all of the intervening spaces. Transplant- 

 ing the sod in solid rows 6 inches wide and 3 feet apart spread much 

 faster but less efficiently, considering the amount of sod used, than 

 individual sods spaced 3 feet apart. The alternate or off-set method 

 of spacing the sods in rows resulted in more efficient spread and faster 

 coverage of the intervening spaces than regular checked spacing. 



PRECAUTIONS IN TRANSPLANTING 



While buffalo grass may be transplanted with reasonable assurance 

 of becoming established and spreading rapidly, considerable care is 

 necessary when a smooth turf is desired. To accomplish this, the 

 land should be leveled and graded a sufficient time before transplant- 

 ing, to permit the soil to settle. Embedding the sods level with the 

 surface of the ground either in holes dug by hand or in carefully plowed 

 furrows is important if it is desired to use the area for landscape pur- 

 poses. If the sods are set too deep, loose soil washes over them and 

 retards the spread of the grass. If the sods are not set deep enough, 

 the soil may erode from around them, leaving the surface unlevel. 

 High winds also contribute to a roughened condition by blowing soil 

 particles from around the sods and depositing dust in the patches of 

 grass. While care in transplanting is helpful in obtaining a final 

 smooth surface, treatment after transplanting may serve to correct a 

 rough surface condition caused by careless transplanting or wind and 

 water erosion. 



RESODDING LARGE AREAS 



Recognizing that transplanting has been consistently more success- 

 ful than broadcasting, efforts have been made to devise practical 

 methods by which transplanting may be accomplished at a low acre 

 cost. For extensive areas intended for pasture purposes a smooth 



