Fescue Sod Survival: Lay It Within 48 Hours or It Cooks

Fescue sod stacked on pallets generates internal heat that kills the grass. The rule: install within two days of delivery. In the example, only the pallet laid same-day survived; the other nine, installed two weeks later, were 80% dead.

Suppliers who sell small quantities keep sod unstacked on concrete or soil to prevent heating. If you can’t lay it immediately, unstack the pieces in a shaded area and keep them moist—but don’t expect miracles after 48 hours.