Ideally, you should never have sod delivered until you are ready to plant it. Waiting more than a few hours to lay sod stresses the grass and can lead to premature death or failure to establish. If you must postpone installation, the following tips can help keep the sod alive.
1. Avoid the Sun
The best location to place the sod is out of direct sunlight. Too much sun results in heat and evaporation, which can dry out the sod and cause it to effectively cook where it is rolled up. Stack sod somewhere that is shaded, such as on the shadowed side of a building or underneath a large shade tree. Ideally, the spot you choose will remain in the shade until you are ready to install the sod.
2. Add a Protective Layer
Avoid placing the sod directly on the ground, if possible. Your delivery service may remove it from the truck on pallets, and these pallets will make an ideal underlayer beneath the sod. If you don't have pallets, then lay out a tarp and place the sod on top of it. You don't want the sod laying directly on the ground or in contact with soil until you are ready to permanently lay it.
3. Cover Loosely
The most immediate risk to the sod is that it will dry out. You can reduce moisture evaporation out of the sod by covering it loosely with a tarp. Leave the ends open to allow some airflow, though. Otherwise, the sod may overheat and die, or it may retain too much moisture and begin to rot.
4. Keep It Moist
To further prevent drying out, mist the sod twice daily with enough water to just keep it moist. If possible, unroll each length and water lightly, but any type of watering can help prolong the life of the sod if unrolling isn't possible.
5. Check Daily
Sod won't last more than a day or two without being properly installed. If you must try to extend the storage time, then make sure to check each roll at least once a day. If the sod is very dry or overly wet, or if there are signs of grass death or rot, then it must be planted immediately if it is to survive. By checking daily you can pull out those rolls that are having issues, which may prolong the life of the remaining rolls.
Contact a sod installation company if you need more assistance or have further questions.
