Sodding is a great way to get a beautiful lawn quickly. However, it’s not without its challenges. Laying sod is dirty, sweaty DIY work.
Start your first row against a straight edge (a driveway, sidewalk or fence). Make sure to butt the pieces tightly together and avoid leaving gaps as sod shrinks when exposed to water. Water thoroughly immediately after installation. Continue to water daily, based on weather conditions and soil temperature.
Preparing the Soil
When laying new sod, the quality of the soil is important for the sod to thrive. Soil that is too hard or packed down can make it difficult for the sod to root in and stay alive. The best way to prepare the soil is to loosen it up by breaking up dirt clods and adding topsoil if needed. It’s also a good idea to get the soil tested before adding soil amendments. This is because the test can tell you if your soil has any issues that would require soil amendments. For example, the soil may be too acidic or too alkaline for healthy grass growth.
A professional lawn care company can perform a soil testing service and recommend the appropriate amendments for your yard. The test results will provide a guideline for what type of fertilizer to use on your lawn after the sod is installed.
It’s also a good idea to remove any debris, old sod or weeds from the area prior to sodding. This will reduce the chances of weeds competing with your new sod for water and nutrients as it establishes itself in the soil. You should also remove any existing landscaping features and edging.
Once the soil is ready to accept sod, a final fine grading should be done. This is done by raking the surface of the soil and making sure it is 1 inch lower than any hardscaped areas, like sidewalks or driveways. This will ensure that sprinkler heads are positioned at the same height as the neighbors’ existing grass and that water will drain into the lawn instead of onto the pavement.
Finally, a pre-seed starter fertilizer should be applied to the soil. This is because the sod will need plenty of nutrients to help it become established. The fertilizer should be spread evenly across the soil with a walk-behind fertilizer spreader. The instructions on the fertilizer will tell you how much to apply and how often to repeat this process. It’s also a good idea at this time to install an automatic watering system for your newly laid sod. This will ensure that it gets the amount of water it needs to survive and thrive.
Cutting the Sod
Whether you are installing new sod or replacing old grass, it is crucial to cut the sod correctly. If the sod is not properly cut, it can rot or fail to take root. This can also lead to the need for additional labor and expense to re-lay or repair the sod that is cut improperly.
To cut the sod, it is best to use a hand tool such as a sharp spade. This allows you to make precise, clean cuts. It is also important to have the soil prepared before cutting sod. This includes aerating the lawn, applying fertilizer, and leveling the soil. Most professionals recommend hiring a professional to conduct a soil test prior to sodding. Then, the homeowner will know precisely what nutrients to add and how much fertilizer to apply.
After you have the sod ready, you can start to lay it. It is important to work quickly and smartly so that the sod does not dry out or die. This is why sod should be installed by a professional landscaper who deals with sodding on a regular basis.
It is best to lay the sod in narrow strips, starting with the longest straight edge (like your house or sidewalk). Try to stagger short ends to avoid having one long stream of sod that will need to be watered separately. It is best to avoid working on sod in rainy or very wet conditions. This creates air pockets and indentations in the sod that can result in brown patches of grass. Instead, laying sod in wet conditions should be done with wide planks or plywood to disperse your weight and avoid making a mess of the soil underneath.
It is important to minimize traffic on the sod for a few weeks after it has been installed. This is because the roots are establishing themselves during this time and they are very vulnerable to disturbances. It is a good idea to have some type of fence or gate in place to keep people and pets away from the newly installed sod.
Installing the Sod
Having a beautiful, lush lawn takes time and effort to achieve, but it adds to the curb appeal of your home as well as increases the value. Sodding is an effective way to replace your old or damaged lawn, and it requires a bit of manual labor but can be done with the proper tools and preparation.
Once the soil has been leveled, tilled, and fertilized, it is ready for sodding installation. A good time to install sod is in spring or early fall when the weather is cool, as this helps the grass root properly. However, sod can be laid throughout the year as long as temperatures are not too hot or too cold.
To start the sodding process, first select the type of sod you want to install and measure the area of your yard. It is important to accurately calculate the amount of sod you need, as it can be costly to buy more than you require. You can do this by sketching your yard and dividing it into manageable sections, then measuring each segment to determine the size of the area (length x width). Once you have your measurements, you can divide them by nine, which is the standard square footage per sod roll, to find out how many rolls of sod you need to purchase.
After the sod is purchased, it should be installed as soon as possible. This is because rolled sod has breathing pores that allow it to absorb water and oxygen, so it will begin to lose moisture if left uninstalled for too long. Begin with the longest straight edge in your yard, such as a walkway or driveway, and lay the sod in a brick-like pattern.
Use a rake to smooth out the sod as you go, and a lawn roller partially filled with water to remove any air pockets and ensure it is firmly packed down. If you are sodding sloped areas, make sure the sod is laying downhill and not uphill, and use a landscape edging tool to hold the edges in place.
Watering the Sod
Soaking new sod is a vital step in successful sodding installation. If the soil is soaked properly, it will retain moisture and develop deep roots.
To keep the sod moist, water it frequently, but do not overwater. This can promote fungus and root rot. During the first week, new sod should be watered several times a day, until it is thoroughly saturated. This will be easier to do during cooler and cloudy weather, since the sod will dry out slower. Once the sod is firmly established, it can be watered less often.
When laying sod, use a sharp utility knife or a linoleum blade to cut sod around curves and sprinkler heads, and to fit tight areas like stairs. If possible, stagger the ends of each row to prevent gaps and seams. This will make the lawn look more professional.
It is important to roll the new sod after it is installed to help ensure good contact between the sod and soil and to remove air pockets. In addition, it will help the turf edges knit together and provide a cleaner finished product.
After rolling, water the area again to moisten the sod and soil. A light misting is better than a heavy soaking. If the soil is still soggy five minutes after watering, you are overwatering the grass.
In the first two weeks after sodding, water the lawn at least twice a day for 30 minutes. Watering in the early morning is best, as this will help reduce fungus growth. After the first two weeks, you can decrease your watering frequency to once a day. Make sure to avoid watering sod on a windy day, as this can cause the sod to blow away and expose the soil underneath.
If you do not have a irrigation system, it is recommended that you use a hose with a spray nozzle to gently water the sod. It is also a good idea to hose down the entire yard once or twice a week. This will keep the soil from becoming too compacted, which can restrict sod growth.