Sod is very vulnerable stuff after it gets cut. With only a thin layer of roots, the grass dries out quickly. If sod handlers aren't careful from the minute they cut the sod until the time you plant it, you don't get the quality, instant lawn you're after. So how can you tell if sod is fresh and healthy? Just look for these qualities, and you'll know whether you've found satisfactory sod:

• The sod, especially the roots and soil, should be moist, but not dripping wet. The edges shouldn't be dry, cracked, or starting to curl. Those are signs that the sod is too dry. Avoid it. If the sod is too wet, it may be too heavy and messy to handle.
• The grass should be evenly bright green and a consistent length. If the grass is starting to turn yellow or brown, don't buy it. Yellowing is a sign that the sod has been rolled up too long and will be slow to make a nice lawn when you get it home.
• The sod should be thick enough so that it doesn't tear easily when handled. You'll be moving this stuff around quite a bit when you get home. It needs to hold together. The total thickness of a piece of sod — grass blades, roots, and soil — can vary from 1 to 3 inches. But the roots have to be at least 1/2-inch long to hold everything together.
• The sod should feel cool to the touch, not hot. If the sod has sat around too long, it begins to warm up through decomposition. That warmth can actually kill the grass.