Table of Contents
Remove the Old Grass. Before laying sod, the old grass and a bit of the old soil beneath it has to be taken away. Prepare the Soil. Use a garden rake (also known as a bow rake) to level the soil and break up any large chunks. Lay the Sod. Neaten the Edges. Water Frequently.
What should you put down before sod?
To prep your lawn, kill all the weeds and stray plant life. Start by watering the area. Next, lay compost on the lawn. Once the existing plant life dies, till and rake the ground. Your prepped dirt should be at least 6 inches deep. Test the fresh terrain using a soil test kit. Lay fresh topsoil if needed.
Can you just lay sod down?
Yes, unless it’s a small area. And you’ll need other tools. Count on one weekend to prepare the soil for sod and another to lay the turf. If your yard is covered with patchy grass, you’ll need to remove it first.
How do you prepare ground for sod?
How to soil prep for sod Step 1 – Clear The Area. The first step to creating a great lawn is removing weeds, rocks, and debris. Step 2 – Remove any existing grass. Step 3 – Establish a Rough Grade. Step 4 – Soil Preparation. Step 5 – Install a Sprinkler System. Step 6 – Fine Grading.
Can I lay sod on hard dirt?
Laying the sod is the easy part; getting the soil ready so it can keep your sod healthy takes much longer. When your yard is covered in hard dirt, the sod isn’t likely to thrive, although it might not die. Instead, loosen and prepare the dirt so your sod can establish quickly and provide you with a lush, full lawn.
How long does it take for sod to root?
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. Be sure to set your mower to the highest setting possible in order to avoid cutting it too close to the root.
Can I lay sod on top of old grass?
People often think that laying sod over an existing lawn makes sense and saves time. In fact, laying fresh sod over an existing lawn is no shortcut and could kill your sod and cause you twice as much work. Removing your old lawn before laying new sod is crucial for a healthy root system.
How thick is sod usually?
The sod thickness depends on the species of grass, the age of the grass and the cultural practices that have taken place. Typically the thickness of the sod is about 5/8″ thick; the best way to know for sure is to call ahead.
Can you lay sod on uneven ground?
Can You Lay Sod on Uneven Ground? Yes, it’s possible to lay a piece of sod on uneven ground. However, installing new sod is a great time to fix any dips or rises in your lawn. If possible, grade and level uneven areas before sod installation.
What kind of dirt do you put under sod?
Black loam provides an abundance of water and nutrients to the soil which is extremely important for their health. It provides better drainage that clay-rich soil, which is why it’s commonly used to prepare the soil for sodding. It consists of 95% pure black loam and 5% peat moss.
Should I fertilize before laying sod?
Tips for Laying Sod | Be sure to fertilize first! Apply a Starter Fertilizer first, before laying down the sod. You would also want to include an application of Gypsum, which will loosen the existing ground and encourage a healthier root system.
Is sod cheaper than seed?
One of the two major factors involved in the decision to sod or seed is expense. Sod – Simply put, sod is the most expensive option because you are essentially paying someone else for time and materials of growing the grass. And, it is dramatically more expensive than seed.
How long can sod sit on pallet?
The answer is somewhat straightforward. In most cases, don’t allow your pallets of sod to sit for any longer than 24 hours from being picked to being installed, and that’s assuming ideal conditions. Choose a cooler, overcast day for sod installation if possible, as this reduces the stress on the grass.
Can you lay sod without tilling?
To lay sod, you’ll need freshly-prepared soil, which usually requires tilling. This enables the sod to quickly root into the soil. However, if the area you need to sod is small, you should be able to work the soil over manually and skip using a rototiller.
What month should you lay sod?
The best time to lay sod is late summer or early fall, when daytime temperatures are still warm and nighttime temperatures are cooler. Warm soil temperatures help sod roots quickly knit into the soil surface. This also gives the sod plenty of time to get established before winter weather arrives.
Should dirt be wet before laying sod?
Laying sod is a gratifying experience—you get a new, green lawn in no time! The time to lay sod is early morning before it gets too hot. The soil in the planting area should be moist, not soggy or dry. Water thoroughly one or two days before the sod is delivered so that the top several inches of soil are wetted.
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.
How often should you water sod?
Proper watering of sod is essential for root establishment. The day of installation, enough water should be applied to penetrate the sod and two inches of native soil. to six times during the day, for approximately five to six minutes each time, is required until the roots have been established.
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.
