Hello,

Thanks for reaching out to Ask Extension.

You are correct, the heat of summer is not the best time to be planting. While it does happen all the time, you do risk losing plants when planting in 90-100 degree heat like we have been having lately. Spring and fall months when the weather is cooler, are the ideal planting times. 

You are also correct in that nurseries and garden centers will usually not have a great selection left come fall. 

If you would still like to get your project done this year, you could buy your plants now while there is still a decent selection at the garden centers/nurseries and keep them watered well in their containers until the fall when you have your sod removed. Otherwise, waiting until spring next year might be your best bet. 

I hope this helps,

Dawn