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Instructions 1 Cut a square or rectangle. Use a spade to cut a square or rectangle shape around the damaged or bare patch. 2 Break up the soil. Break up the soil with a garden fork and mix in compost or a similar amendment. 3 Measure. Measure the patch area and cut a piece of sod to fit snugly. 4 Settle the patch.
Can you patch grass with sod?
Sod is a quick, easy way to repair most damaged spots in an existing lawn. Because sod is a mature plant, it establishes very quickly compared to seed, hydroseed or lawn patching mixes, saving you lots of time.
How long will rolled up sod last?
Leaving Sod in Rolls It releases nitrogen, which heats up the roll and begins to kill the sod as soon as 12 hours after the sod is harvested. In the cooler weather of spring and fall, you could have as many as three to five days to unroll the sod before damage occurs.
How long does it take for sod to root?
It can take up to six weeks for the sod to develop a deep root system. As the sod develops its shallow root system and moves on to develop a deeper root system, it’s critical to increase the amount of time between waterings to encourage roots to grow deeper in search of moisture without stressing the lawn.
When should I patch my lawn?
September and October are the key times to sow new grass seed to make repairs. Fall is the best time to repair dead grass areas. Bare patches in the lawn or sections of dead grass need to be repaired to avoid opportunistic weeds that will take root in the soil.
How do you fix a bad lawn?
Spread fertilizer and some topsoil (if needed) to the patch and then water thoroughly again. Spread grass seed over the area using a seed spreader (for larger areas) or by hand (for small patches). Lightly aerate the soil again using the hand rake or an aerator to work in the seeds and fertilizer into the soil.
How do I fix bald spots in my lawn?
Reseeding Bare Patches Rake the Area. Rake and remove any debris or dead grass from the area, using a garden rake. Loosen the Soil. Break up the soil with a hard-toothed lawn rake or a garden cultivator. Amend the Soil. Spread the Seeds. Rake the Seeds. Begin Watering. Mow When Ready.
How do I fix large bare spots in my lawn?
Preparing bare spots for repair Mow damaged spots and surrounding areas at normal spring mowing levels, and then remove dead or damaged grass to expose clean soil. If leveling is needed, add or remove topsoil, rake spots briskly, and then smooth the surface. Loose, smooth soil invites new seedlings to take hold.
How long does it take for grass patches to grow?
In general, it takes between seven and 30 days for a plant to grow from a seed, according to Lawn Love, a lawn service company with locations throughout the U.S. For example, if you’re trying to plant fescue grass, expect a germination period of seven to 14 days.
What is the best time of year to lay sod?
Generally it is best to lay sod during the active growing period of your turfgrass species: cool-season grasses do best when planted during the early fall or early spring and the warm-season grasses do best when planted mid-late spring.
Can you walk on sod?
Your new sod should root within 10-14 days of application. This is also when you should mow your new lawn for the first time after laying sod. Take care not to walk or run on new sod, as this can prevent the fragile young roots from developing properly.
How much does a pallet of sod cost?
On average, homeowners pay $300 per pallet for sod. Pallet prices range from $150 to $450, depending on the grass type and quality. Expect to pay $0.35 to $0.85, or $0.60 on average, for sod sold by the square foot.
Can you water new sod too much?
Each watering should only consist of enough water to wet the roots. New sod is not able to soak up much water at once, and too much water will cause root rot. You never want soggy soil under your new sod. Too much water will foster fungus under the roots which can cause your new sod to fail.
Should I put starter fertilizer on new sod?
For new sod, it is critical to get the roots established first. A fertilizer with an adequate amount of phosphorus is best. ft.), or similar starter fertilizer, to the bare ground and then water it into the soil before installing the turf sod to help establish the roots.
What time of day should you water sod?
Water early in the morning, 6-8am. Wind speeds are lower and less water is lost to evaporation. Watering in the evening is discouraged—water remaining on the grass can promote disease and fungus. Infrequent, deep watering is better than shallow watering.
What should you not do when laying sod?
Laying Sod: A Few Rookie Mistakes to Avoid Overlapping Rolls. It might be tempting to overlap your rolls of sod for full coverage, but the end result will only be a lumpy, uneven lawn. Mowing the Lawn Too Soon. Forgetting to Roll. Failing to Prep Your Soil. Not Watering Your Sod.
Can I lay sod without tilling?
If your yard has soft soil that is not compacted, you can install sod without tilling. This can save you time, money, and result in a beautiful yard. In order to install sod with the no-till method: Test your soil to make sure it is soft enough that tilling isn’t necessary.
When can you walk on new sod?
If you walk on your sod before its roots have established, you’re lessening your chances of success. How long must you wait to use your new sod lawn? The general recommendation is to wait two weeks – but the number of days you wait is really dependent on determining that the lawn has, indeed, taken root.
