Category Archives: Products

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NMSU Researchers Find New Information on Kentucky Bluegrass Water Use

Category : Knowledge , Products , Turf Care

We wanted to share with you recent studies conducted by NMSU regarding Kentucky Bluegrass!

New Mexico State University’s MSU Regent’s Professor and Extension Turfgrass Specialist Bernd Leinauer and Research Assistant Professor Matteo Serena are finding a previous notion that Kentucky bluegrass is a poor choice for dry climates to be misleading, if not incorrect. They are working to change the public’s perception on which turfgrasses can survive the best in the drought conditions found in this region

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Such findings are different than what has been previously stated. The general opinion has been that Kentucky bluegrass should not be used because of the amount water that it needs to survive.

“This message is the complete opposite of what we’ve been hearing and what water utilities and city politicians tell us. Kentucky bluegrass has been perceived as the worst of all and uses the most water. However, our findings don’t support that. Our results show that if a cool-season grass is chosen, Kentucky bluegrass should be the grass of choice,” Leinauer said.

Las Cruces Sun Article: NMSU researchers find new information on Kentucky bluegrass water use.


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When Is Sod Available for Pick-Up or Delivery?


  • ALBUQUERQUE LOT CLOSED FOR 2022
  • SOD DELIVERY OR MORIARTY FARM PICK-UP ONLY

You can come to the farm during our business hours, weather permitting, and purchase sod.

MORIARTY FARM:

  • The Farm is open to the public Monday through Friday 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM BUT we shut down for lunch from 12 PM to 1 PM
    • MORIARTY FARM PURCHASES ARE PREFERABLY PAID BY CREDIT CARD(CASH IS ACCEPTED AS AN ALTERNATIVE) AT THE FARM OR IF SENDING SOMEONE TO PICK UP FOR YOU CALL DURING OUR OFFICE HOURS 8 AM- 11 AM (505)832-4247 TO PRE-PAY FOR SOD 
  • Sod is cut fresh for you when you arrive at the farm to pick it up. We never cut orders at the farm ahead of time, as we really don’t want to see our beautiful sod go to waste if someone decides they cannot pick it up. Cutting it fresh does not take much time out of your day – about 10 minutes to cut one pallet of sod (455 sq ft). You won’t have to wait very long to get the freshest cut sod available in the Southwest.

SOD DELIVERY OR PICK UP AT FARM:

  • Sod can be paid for at the farm by cash or card.
  • We deliver sod Tuesdays through Fridays.
    Fridays are our busiest delivery days, so we recommend that you call well in advance, if you wish to have your sod delivered on a Friday. We do not deliver on Saturdays.
  • Currently, we are cutting our Bluegrass Hybrid blend. We are not cutting any Park Blend or Fescue Blends at this time. (However, we still have fescue seed for sale…for a limited time.)
  • The delivery fee is dependent upon location. Please call 505-832-4247 for delivery costs.

PAYING FOR YOUR ORDER:

  • Deliveries must be paid at least 24 hours before your scheduled delivery day.
  • Deliveries can ONLY be paid over the phone (505-832-4247) via credit card and your receipts will be emailed to you, if requested.
  • You can pay by credit card (preferred) or cash for sod pickups at the farm, and call our office M-F 8 AM-11 AM to figure out the total for your order.

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Keep Your Soil Moist with Stockosorb®

What is Stockosorb®?

Stockosorb® is a man-made water-absorbing polymer that is designed to improve the capability of soils and other growing media to retain water and plant nutrients. It can be used for the same reasons you would use peat moss mixed in the soil…to retain water near the roots.  Once in contact with water, it will absorb 10 times it weight in water.

How to Apply to Your Soil

We recommend that you add Stockosorb® crystals to your tilled soil using a spreader, AFTER you have added your other soil amendments, and rake it in at about 2″ depth (closest to root level). Do not add water to it until you have laid your sod.

How Stockosorb® Works

Once the Stockosorb® crystals come in contact with water, they will capture water that would have otherwise been lost into the aquifer. They will expand to hold up to 10 times their weight in water and keep the captured water at the root level of the sod. This means that the next time your grass is thirsty, it will “drink” from the water absorbed by the Stockosorb® first, allowing you to save on water usage.

Stockosorb® crystals remain in the soil for 7-10 years (dependent upon soil conditions, etc).

You can also use Stockosorb® when planting trees, plants, in potted plants and gardens, and even in your indoor plants.  Just be careful, as a little bit goes a long way!

Please call us for any more information.

505-832-4247


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No Netting…Ever!

Category : Knowledge , Products , Turf Care

Through-out our sod growing industry, some farmers are turning to using plastic netting to hold their sod rolls together, rather than waiting until the root system grows to a total mature age.

Using a netting benefits only the farmer…not their customer!

Recently, a customer drove to our Moriarty farm to purchase our premium sod.  Last year, he bought sod from one of the large outlet chain stores; but sod died during the winter.  He shared, when rototilling the dirt, all of the netting, which was still in the dead roots, twined up the roto-tiller and caused much trouble clearing the rototiller.  Obviously he was happy that we, at StoneGate TurfGrass Ranch, never take the short path, and wait the long growing period until our sod is totally mature and healthy.

NO NETTING AT OUR FARM…EVER!

We appreciate your business, but rather more…your friendship!


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Buy New Mexico!

Category : Knowledge , Products , Turf Care

Did You Know?

Some sod is imported, into New Mexico, from as many as 5 states. This sod travels many miles (two, maybe three days); drying out during their long trip! Out of state deliveries are limited to one or two maximum per week; causing micro-organisms to grow and build inside old pallets of sod.

This heat and micro-organisms cause sod rotting and spoiling.

Our farm, StoneGate TurfGrass Ranch, is located just 35 miles east of Albuquerque, and we will deliver our fresh cut sod, usually within one-two hours. We promise you will receive the freshest, healthiest, and greenest sod available…and grown closest to Albuquerque.

As usual, we will meet you with a friendly greet and a broad smile – that’s just who we are.


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Yes! You CAN Plant Sod All Year Round!

We are often asked questions regarding how long we will cut sod, when it’s available, when we stop cutting for the year, or if it’s a good time to plant, and similar.

  • We cut sod and have it available ALL YEAR ROUND (as long as the ground isn’t’ frozen or snowed upon, which doesn’t happen too often here in the Southwest).
  • We never stop cutting sod (again, only if the ground is frozen).
  • Sod can be planted ALL YEAR ROUND, even when dormant.
  • Planting sod ALL YEAR is perfectly fine in Albuquerque and the nearby surrounding region with similar elevations.


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Why Choose Sod?

LAWNS & OUR ENVIRONMENT

Turf grass is earth smart. Scientists throughout the world are increasingly documenting the significant role of turf, particularly in urban/suburban settings where the removal of turf and other vegetation has amplified problems such as the “urban heat effect.”

In the 1990 Farm Bill, the U.S. Congress noted:

Tree plantings and ground cover, such as low growing dense perennial turf grass sod in urban areas and communities, can aid in reducing carbon dioxide emissions, mitigating the heat island effect and reducing energy consumption, thus contributing to reduce global warming trends.

BENEFITS

According to the Professional Lawn Care Association of America, a thick, healthy lawn has several environmental benefits including:

OXYGEN

625 square feet of lawn provides enough oxygen for one person for an entire day.

TEMPERATURE

On a block of eight average houses, front lawns have the cooling effect of 70 tons of air conditioning.

POLLUTION

Turf absorbs gaseous pollutants such as carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide, converting them to oxygen.

DUST AND DIRT

Turf traps an estimated 12 million tons of dust and dirt released annually into the atmosphere.

FIRE RETARDATION

A buffer zone of grass around buildings helps retard the spread of fire.

WATER QUALITY

Turf prevents soil erosion, filters contaminants from rainwater and reduces runoff.

 

VALUE, CURB APPEAL & PERSONAL ENJOYMENT

Not only is sod good for the environment, it will add value and improve the curb appeal of your property. The increased attention your property gets after a makeover will move a house quicker if you’re in the market to sell. Or, if you are not selling, the new look will make you feel good to just sit and enjoy it.


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kids on grass

Put Something Beautiful In Your Yard…Your Family!

Summer is here! Kids are out of school. Are they begging to play outside…or will they decide not to because they don’t have anything nice to play on?

If you have real grass for them to play on, the answer is yes! But if you have Xeriscape, imitation grass, or just plain dirt for a play surface, then expect to raise “couch potatoes” who want to stay inside and play video games for the entire summer.

It’s your choice. Put something beautiful in your yard! Your family…and give them REAL grass to play on. Grass is the safest natural play surface on earth!

Call us today to get started, so your kids will stay active over the summer!

ORDER TODAY!


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Should I Seed or Sod My Yard?

The lush, beautiful lawn you desire can be achieved through a variety of methods. Seeding and laying sod are two of the most common options, and if installed and cared for properly, either option can provide you with the lawn of your dreams.

There are many differences between choosing to seed or lay sod, but the end result is usually the same, as well as the maintenance level after established.

Seeding

Pros:

  • Establishing turf from seed requires less labor to install, but more care during the germination and establishment stages.
  • The initial investment is less, because you are not paying for the 18-24 months farm labor to grown turf ready to cut for sod rolls.
  • More selection of turf seed can be found than sod types.
  • Faster installation than rolls of turf.
  • Difficult areas can be successfully seeded.
  • High quality seed will yield higher quality results.

Cons:

  • Needs more “baby sitting”.
  • The amount of time accomplish the final result…a lawn you can use.
  • Traffic should be kept completely off a seeded area until it is at least 2″ tall.  Even then, it should be mainly undisturbed, since foot traffic, pets, etc., can easily destroy tender seedlings.
  • Frequent watering during germination. The ground should be kept moist during the entire germination process.
  • Seed cannot be planted all year long (sod can, if the ground isn’t frozen). It does not germinate below a certain temperature, and has a hard time germinating in the summer heat.
  • Weed control during establishment stage is necessary.
  • Erosion is more likely to happen to a seeded area vs. a sodded area. Even if it rains once during the germination process, the pattern can end up very patchy and may need to be over-seeded several times.
  • Low quality seed will yield low quality results.  Many seed mixes you find at a big box store are not even designed for the area you live in. These low quality mixes often contain weed seeds, have low germination rates, and could contain grasses that you do not want. Seeding rates may be difficult for the average person to calculate, and when incorrect can have a negative impact on seed germination. An NTEP rated variety, which means it has been independently evaluated and rated by the National Turf Evaluation Program, means these selected grass seeds have been specifically bred for superior green grass color, disease and insect resistance and drought tolerance.

Tips for Seeding

Use top quality seed. Ask about germination rates. Grade 1 is better than Grade 5.

Using a spreader will ensure you get the proper coverage of seed. Too much coverage of seed can cause the seed to compete with each other. Too little and you will have bare spots. A spreader will work perfectly.

Don’t seed in the hot summer months. Seeds have to compete with usual summer weeds, and do not germinate well in heat and inadequate moisture during the summer. Spring and fall are usually the best times to lay seed.

Planting seed too deep will not allow it to germinate.  Laying seed and covering with about 1/8th inch of topsoil is plenty to start germination.

Sodding

Pros:

  • Instant lawn
  • Can be walked on within days of planting.
  • Instant erosion protection.
  • Great for sloped areas or erosion-prone areas where seed would have difficulty surviving.

Cons:

  • Higher initial cost.
  • To establish you will need to use a larger volume of water than after established.
  • Requires a lot of manual labor to install.

Tips for Sodding

Choose fresh, healthy sod. You don’t usually find quality sod in the big box stores.

Proper soil preparation is one of the most important steps prior to sodding. The optimal soil will be a loamy mix, therefore clay type soils will need amendments such as compost and peat moss.


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How to Request Info on Sod & Other Products

When requesting more information or pricing through our website, we would just love if you used our Quote/Info Request form, rather than posting a “comment” to our website posts. This way we receive your request via email, and you will get a timely response.

Thanks for helping us help you better! :)

Click here for the Quote/Info Request form.


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