Description:
Marathon Lite® is a hydroponically grown soil-less tall fescue sod. It weighs slightly more than one half as much as field-grown sod, and the pieces are approximately 60% larger (2' x 4'). It starts as a mixture of seed, composted green waste, and bark chips spread about 1/2" thick on a plastic barrier sheet. As the sod grows, the roots are forced by the barrier to lie horizontally, thus forming a naturally interwoven mat. When mature, the sod is simply cut into sections and lifted off the plastic sheet. All of the roots remain intact, thereby avoiding any harvest set-back.

Because the sod is grown hydroponically, we are able to control the growth media, water, and nutrients very precisely to achieve optimum levels. This ideal environment results in a much higher plant density than in field-grown sod production. The effect is to significantly enhance the sod's beauty by creating a much denser, lower, finer-textured appearance, even though the variety (Hubbard 87 Baja) is the same used in Marathon field-grown sod. For a description of the varietal characteristics, refer to the Marathon Sod/Seed specification sheet.

Guarantee:
Marathon Lite Sod carries a One Year Free Replacement Guarantee contingent upon proper installation and minimum level of maintenance.

Uses:

• Residences
• Playgrounds
• Golf Courses
• Cemeteries

Special Uses:

• Movie Sets
  

Characteristics:

• Color:
  Dark green year-round.
• Growth Rate:
  Summer, 1" - 1-1/2" per week.
  Winter, 1/2" - 3/4" per week.
  
• Texture:
  Leaf width ranges from 1/16" - 1/8",
  mixed. Within the range, leaves tend to
  average narrower in winter and wider in
  summer.
  
• Density:
  Approx. 60 leaves per 1-1/2" diameter core.
  
• Height:
  Summer, 2-1/2" mowing height
  recommended. Winter, 2" mowing
  height recommended.
• Root Depth:
  To 6 feet.

Adaptability:

• Soils Range:
  All types (Amendments are recommended for heavy clay soils to promote drainage.).
• Temp. Tolerance:
  25°F - 110°F.
• pH Range:
  5.0 - 8.5, 7.0 preferred.
• ECe Range:
  Tolerant to 8.0, 0 - 4.0 preferred.
• Shade Tolerance:
  Up to 50% shade.
• Geographic Range:
  Coastline, inland valleys, and deserts. Avoid mountain areas above 4000", due to sustained cold.
  

Standards and Measures:

Sod:

• 100% Weed-Free.
  
• Size:
  8, 16 or 24 Sq. Ft. (2' x 4', 8', or 12').
  Soil Thickness 5/8" ± 1/8".
  504 Sq. Ft./Pallet.
• Weight:
  24 Lbs./8 Sq. Ft. Piece, 1500 Lbs./Pallet.
  
• Shipping Temp:
  In order to ensure shipping life and an installation time of at least 24 hours, sod shall be refrigerated to the following temperatures prior to shipment:
  
  50°F in Winter
  40°F in Summer
  

Seed:

• 100% Weed-Free.
• 98% Purity (2% Inert Maximum).
• 90% Minimum Germination.
• 225,000 Seeds/Lb.

Seed Establishment:

• Seed Rate:
  10 - 12 Lbs./1000 Sq. Ft.
• Germination:
  7 - 14 Days.
  

Maintenance:

• Water:
  2 - 3 times/Week at 80% ETo Optimum, 60% ETo Minimum.
• Mowing:
  Spring, Summer, Fall—Weekly.
• Fertilization:
  Specify Marathon Sod and Seed Starter® (15-15-15) at 10 Lbs./1000 Sq. Ft. prior to installation. Use Marathon All Season® (25-5-5) at 6-week intervals at a Rate of 4 Lbs./1000 Sq. Ft. during Fall, Winter, and Spring.