CALIFORNIA GOLD - Native Bentgrass Sod
ESTABLISHMENT PHASE
WARM SEASON PLANTING (cut in half for Nov-Feb plantings):
First 7-14 Days: 2x Day / First 2-4 Weeks: 1x Day / First 4-8 Weeks: 1x Day / Next 3 Months: 3x Week
AFTER ESTABLISHMENT
WINTER: no irrigation
SPRING: 1-4 x a month
SUMMER/FALL: 1-2 x a week*
(*see guide for more details)
California Gold - Native Bentgrass
Agrostis pallens, San Diego Bentgrass, Thingrass, California bentgrass etc. FULL SUN - PART SHADE
Agrostis pallens is a True California Native Grass. Originally designed as a golf course turf replacement, this native meadow grass works great for greens and roughs. Meaning you can mow parts of it to 2" on the regular and leave other areas long and meadowy (naturally grows to 16" high un-mown). Like your own little ornamental grass lawn. Pairs Great with Poppies & Wildflowers.
- 50% more Drought Tolerant than Conventional Lawn Sod
- Perfect for Partial or Full Mowing
- Foot Traffic, Sport and Dog Friendly
- Full Sun / Heat Tolerant
These gorgeous grass lawns are resilient to California climate extremes and can handle a little soccer (without the cleats)! Mow them like a conventional lawn. Or, when left long, native bentgrass becomes a mix of greens and browns after its first few years. When mown close it will brown out in sections in high summer heat if watering is reduced. Yet Bentgrass quickly greens up when the weather cools.
Watering Schedule
Water thoroughly within 30-60 minutes of laying out sod. First 10-14 days: Water daily until the corners of the sod resist pulling when you try to lift them. Hooray you're rooted! After your sod passes the "pull test" you may begin to walk lightly on it and cut back watering to every other day. After 45-60 days: Water at %50 of conventional sod rates for your climate zone. You can begin to use more regularly 30 days after install and freely at 45-60.
Mowing Schedule
Mow on a regular biweekly schedule to 2-6" as desired (4-6" heights are best for water savings. Or let it grow to its natural 12-16" height for the first year. Then start mowing the following season to renew growth for the freshest look. If you want to keep it long like a meadow, over-seeding every 3-5 years is recommended for the most verdancy.
FAQ's
Around one week. Select your preferred delivery date at checkout and we'll do our best to make it happen! Please note: Alta Lawn Ultra - Kurapia Groundcover plugs are delivered on Wednesdays only.
Kurapia & California Meadow products come in sod or plugs. Plugs are small plants that you plant every square foot with the help of a bulb auger drill bit. Sod is like a green carpet you roll out and apply heavy pressure to bond with soil.
Kurapia grows very slowly when temperatures are cool, so rarely spreads much at all from late November to about February. If you're thinking you'd like to do plugs, just be advised that you will have to wait a little extra (and weed regularly in the mean time) for it to fill in fully. Sod on the other hand gives instant coverage.
California Meadow on the other hand has a mix of warm and cool season grasses so will fill-in at about the same rate most times of year. Though in general most plants spread faster with generous warmth.
Plugs are spaced at 12" but you can space further (just lower your squre footage order) if you're not in a rush. Or want to fill in with something else later. We have a 200 sq.ft. minimum on all lawn options. Orders under 400 sq.ft. are subject to a slight price increase to accomodate current shipping rates.
More or less the same as regular sod or lawn except with less fertilizer. Here's some basic guidelines:
HOW TO PREP YOUR DIRT
Remove Nasties: Pull out weeds, stumps & any plants you don’t want
Loosen ‘er Up: Use a shovel or tiller to loosen the top 4-6 inches of soil. If you have sandy or uncompacted soil this isn't necessary.
Groom: Remove smaller rocks & roots. clean it up so it’s smooth and buttery as possible.
Rake-in Amendments: Rake a light dressing of organic compost, lime &/or Mycorrhizae evenly across
the ground.
Wet soil: to a minimum of 6” deep to before laying down your sod. This will give a nice moist surface for the roots to bond with when lain down.
Irrigation requirements: sprinkler irrigation is recommended for all sod and most plug products (except in shadey or passively irrigated conditions). Hand-watering not recommended.
The first 2 weeks establishment requires multiple daily waterings. First month's establishment progresses to once a day watering. Then reduce to a regular 2x a week watering schedule (more may be required if planting in hot times of year). Native grasses typically need 2x a week waterings for heat waves in Southern California. Kurapia survives on 1x a week watering in times of water shortages but looks better with 2.
About half of these lawns require no winter irrigation! Contact us for details.
