Do you still want to have that fabulous green lawn that needs nearly no work and could last for years? Look farther than Marathon Sod. Look to our selections if you are a homeowner who would love to make their yard pop, or a landscaper who can’t afford to have a bad roll.
Let’s take a break here and see why it is such a favorite and then how it gets your outdoors to pop.
Types of Marathon Sod
Marathon I: The Original and Still the Best
Recommended Use: Playgrounds and sports fields, or any place with heavy foot traffic. That’s the sod for you if you’ve got an active family that loves to be outside.
Marathon II: Soft-Gray Textured
It becomes a dream come true for those wanting that fine texture and deep green color in their grass because Marathon II adds class to any landscape.
Best Uses: Great for use where perfect ornamental landscapes are needed, such as front yards.
Marathon III: The Drought-Tolerant Champion
Marathon III is ideal for robust applications where very few water sources are available.
Best Uses: Well suited to districts experiencing drought; it ranks best for commercial locations that have to remain green while minimizing watering.
Comparing the Types
Similarities:
All Marathons are solidly constructed to be resistant, giving aesthetic looks and a green sense to a landscape.
Differences:
Textures: Marathon I is hard and elastic, Marathon II is fine and beautiful, and Marathon III is a bit rough but very good in comfort.
Water: Marathon III can tolerate drought much more than either Marathon I or II. Marathon I and II need to be watered on a regular schedule.
Human and Biological Environment Health
Improving Air Quality
Isn’t it cool when you step out onto the fresh green grass with your bare feet or take in a nice breath of fresh air? The lawn is also your natural filter, trapping dirt and pollutants. With a few more trees and shrubs, you’d have just about the best setup to get fresh air in your lawn.
Makes Soil Erosion Less
Marathon Sod is much more than a superficial showcase: it does a good job as an erosion fighter. Its large root mass binds soils, thereby withstanding slopes and grounds where heavy rain occurs.
Makes Room Temperature Cooler
Grass absorbs sunlight and reduces heat, so water the lawn earlier in the day or later at night.
Makes It More Beautiful
A well-kept Marathon Sod lawn has to be pure eye candy. It is plush, deep green, and truly inviting; perfect for curb appeal or any outdoor relaxation.
Marathon Sod Performance and Durability
Wear and Abrasion Resistance
Marathon Sod is the perfect grass for withstanding all the elements of busyness in life: not only heavy foot traffic but also kids playing or horsing around, pets dashing throughout, and numerous social gatherings.
Drought Tolerance
Your top choice for water-conservation areas: Marathon Sod. And I don’t mean any type of Marathon; I mean the green, lush Marathon III, which seems to be one of the only types that thrive during a dry environment.
Disease Resistance
Among the features of Marathon Sod, it is resistant to all common diseases of the lawn, so you will have less to worry about when it comes to issues like fungal infections.
Longevity and Low Upkeep
Marathon Sod, compared with a few other species, has to keep getting replaced again and again, continuously, and with heavyweight maintenance. Meeting the desires of long-term reliability with low upkeep, Marathon Sod is cost-effective over time.
Marathon Sod Installation Process
Making the Land Ready
Start by clearing all the debris, rocks, and weeds from the area. This will give your new sod a nice, clean area in which to take root and grow healthily. Pro tip: Use a garden tiller to break up compacted soil for better aeration.
Sod Installation
Lay the turf in a brick-like pattern. This would ensure that the seams do not line up and will give a much more seamless, tight, and unified look to the lawn. Be sure, however, that edges are tight against each other and butted up, not overlapping, so that there will not be any gaps for weeds to push up through.
Post-Installation Care
Watering should occur immediately after laying the sod. Keep the soil and sod moist until roots are established. Tip: Water more deeply but less frequently to encourage deeper rooting.
How to Care for and Maintain Marathon Sod
Watering Guidelines
Even watering is truly the lifeblood of your Marathon Sod. Without it, even the best-laid sod will struggle. Aim to apply approximately 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week, all at once or split into two—it encourages deep roots that make your lawn more drought-resistant.
Fertilization Schedule
Think of fertilizing very much like giving the lawn vitamins. It keeps the lawn vibrant and healthy. Give your sod a slow-release fertilizer to feed it a continual reserve. Apply the fertilizer early in the morning or late in the afternoon to prevent burning the grass.
Human Mowing Techniques
This is a chore that needs to be performed routinely, but how it is done is very important. Set the mower blade height at a higher setting of 2.5 to 3 inches. The height helps reduce water loss and shade the soil, allowing it to promote deeper root growth.
Weed Control
If allowed, weeds will quickly overtake Marathon Sod. Preventive applications with a pre-emergent should be put down before weeds have a chance for their roots to take a foothold in early spring. Also, be sure to walk your lawn periodically and hand pull weed infestations when they show up.
Aeration
Aeration allows your lawn to breathe, removes soil compaction, and allows for air, water, and nutrient penetration. Do this once a year, preferably in the fall, to give your lawn the best renewal and growth.
Marathon Sod Price
Initial Outlay vs. Future
Initial costs: The baselines of Marathon Sod costs are the price of the sod, then the delivery charges and installation charges. DIY installation cuts some of the costs, but professional installation ensures the laying of the sod is done properly.
Long-Term Savings: Though the initial cost may pinch deep into your pocket, think of the savings in the long run. Marathon Sod is truly low-maintenance; this will translate to fewer times of re-sodding, which brings down instances of care. Plus, with varieties like Marathon III, you will save on water bills because it is drought resistant.
Price Compared to Other Sod Types
What follows is a snapshot comparison of how Marathon Sod’s price and features compare:
| Type of Sod | Cost per Sq. Ft. | Cost per Roll | Cost per Pallet | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marathon Sod | $0.50 – $1.00 | $4 – $8 | $130 – $450 | Very hardy, low maintenance, decent drought resistance |
| Bermuda Grass | $0.30 – $0.85 | $3 – $9 | $150 – $380 | Very rugged, full sun lover, and high maintenance. |
| Zoysia Grass | $0.28 – $0.80 | $4 – $8 | $130 – $450 | Dense, slow-growing, good drought tolerance |
| St. Augustine Sod | $0.35 – $0.75 | $4 – $8 | $160 – $450 | Strong blades, offers high shade tolerance, great for coastal areas |
| Centipede Sod | $0.35 – $0.90 | $4 – $9 | $160 – $450 | Hardy, blunt, and resistant to heat. |
| Fescue Sod | $0.35 – $0.70 | $4 – $7 | $160 – $350 | Tolerates high traffic, good for cooler climates |
| Kentucky Bluegrass | $0.35-$0.70 | $4-$7 | $160-$350 | Nice green color, high maintenance, good in cool areas. |
Cost-Affected Factors
Size of Lawn: The bigger the size, the larger the overall cost. The purchase may be wholesale or in terms of savings in each; however, the amount-wise expenditure stands higher in the case of larger sizes.
Marathon Sod Variety: Varieties of Marathon have different prices attached. Normally, Marathon I is the least expensive. This is mainly because this kind of sod suffers the high traffic parts. Marathon II, on the other hand, is a bit more expensive since it is finer. Marathon III is a bit more expensive to buy due to it being highly tolerant to drought.
Preparation and Installation: Costs at this stage might be required to foot out and sample the soil, amend, and level. Professional installation not only ensures proper laying but can also increase the cost. DIY installation will be cost-effective but time- and labor-intensive.
Expert Advice on Growing Marathon Turfgrass
Pros of Marathon Sod
Tolerance and Endurance: They turn out to be Tall Fescue grass mixtures that are robust. The Marathon I performs well in an area where activities are high since it has a quick recovery ability.
Requires Low Maintenance: Marathon Sod requires far less watering and mowing than most turf grasses. Marathon III, with its slower rate of growth, seldom needs mowing.
Drought Tolerance: Because it has a deep root system, Marathon Sod tolerates drought well compared to most grasses,
making it effective in areas where water restrictions are placed.
Tips for Maintenance
Watering: The key to good Marathon Sod is watering. Water new sod several times a day for the first several weeks. Once established, water deeply 2 to 3 times a week.
Mowing: Keep Marathon I between 2.5 to 3.5 inches, Marathon II between 2 to 3 inches, and Marathon III to 1.5 inches or so.
Fertilization: To get that super rich green of Marathon Sod, apply a high nitrogen fertilizer year-round. Begin with a balanced fertilizer when the sod is installed and feed it every six weeks with Marathon All Season (24-2-4) throughout the growing season.
