How to lay sod

how to lay sod Limestone is most effective at changing the soil pH when it is mixed in with the top 5 inches of soil, which means it’s easier to adjust your soil’s pH before planting grass seed or laying sod than it is to add it to an established lawn. How to Lay Sod. Use a garden rake (also known as a bow rake) to level the soil and break up any large chunks. Try as much as possible not to walk over the just laid sod. Start by laying the sod along a straight edge, such as a patio, fence, or driveway. Sod is especially popular when there is an immediate need to reduce erosion or reduce the amount of soil that gets tracked indoors. If your yard has an irregular shape, use a measuring tape and stakes to run a string down the centre line of your yard. Step 2: Measure the Sodding Area. Continue to lay sod in a brick work pattern, staggering the edges of each row of sod. Using the hose with the sprayer attached, Place sod at one end of your lawn and start unrolling it from the furthest corner of your lawn. Start laying the sod pieces end-to-end starting along the longest straight edge of the area. Shaping Lay the sod on slightly moistened soil, staggering the seams so they are offset. Till the area until you expose fresh 2. . Laying new sod is a labor intensive and possibly expensive process. Make sure all joints are butted tightly together - without overlapping or spaces between strips of sod. A sod roller looks like a large steel drum, that has handles to easily push it around your lawn. The first tip is to lay the strips horizontally instead of vertically. Unroll one piece at a time, end to end, and avoid walking on pieces of sod as you're laying new ones down. To lay sod on a slope and get it to take root quickly, it's important to keep the sod from slipping and provide it plenty of water and nutrients. How to Lay Sod Easily this Spring. You will do best with sod that is hardy under less than optimal conditions. And then spread the organic soil or finished compost on it and you can also add 2-3 inches of sand. Do a quick soil test Step 2: Fill with Top Soil. Grass is green, mowers are red. Using the rotary tiller, clear the area where you will be installing the sod. The best time to install sod. Sod Installation (How To Lay Sod) I think one of the most common questions we receive is how hard is it to lay a sod lawn? The answer is not really hard at all. The best time to lay it is during the spring rainy season in your area. If you want luscious grass, it’s the way to go, but you probably have some questions before you get started. Butt and push edges and ends against each other tightly. You don't want pockets of air between your sod and the ground, and you don't want the roots of your sod to dry out. You should water the soil a day before you plan to lay down the sod so that the roots can sink in well. Later, lay compost at the top of the lawn for a few weeks so that the soil is fully suppressed. Step 1: Test the Soil. Cut the second strip of sod Steps for Laying Sod 1. Once you receive the sod, start by unrolling it evenly alongside something straight like your driveway. As we mentioned, laying sod is not the cheapest route to the new lawn, and hiring specialists to do the job will probably double the price. This will probably be a couple of months or so. Cutting on the dirt side of the roll will give you a straight, clean cut. Let’s go over the basics of caring for new sod. Lay sod pieces tightly together, and arrange them in rows perpendicular to (across) the slope. Avoid stretching the turf. Lay Your Sod – Orient your sod so that it is laid out so that it lies the same direction as the longest part of your yard. Overlap the seams in between each square, setting the squares together as tightly as possible. Before you begin laying sod, make sure you keep your ground nice and moist. This is also when you should mow your new lawn for the first time after laying sod. Go over the soil with a rake to smooth everything out. Lay your first row in the middle ensuring that it’s straight. Step 5: After the Installation. Most sod is grown in full sun, so shady lawns can be challenging for sod. Lay sod on either side of the string. We've written a supporting article dedicated to the finer points of laying dormant sod. “Sod is a rapid way to establish a lawn and to patch areas efficiently,” says Clint Waltz, PhD, extension turfgrass specialist at the University of Georgia’s If you’re laying down sod where a lawn or weeds were present, then there might be some dead vegetation left behind. 5. 3. Pick out any rocks or debris that is unearthed while you rake. Sometimes you’re laying sod on a new home that is bare dirt and that is the easiest situation to lay new grass in. Avoid walking on the sod as you lay it, and rake out any footprints you make in soil as you go. To do so: Lay the first row of sod from one end to the other, keeping as straight a line as possible. Try following the line of your patio, driveway Rake the soil as you lay the sod to clear any bumps under the surface. A soil test will help you figure out what you need to add to your soil so it’s healthy and ready for the sod. Rather than spending months of time, energy, and money hoping for a beautiful green lawn, lay down some sod. This is key to not having weeds growing up between your sod strips while the lawn is establishing. Start with a straight row to reduce the amount of cutting and fitting you’ll do How to Lay Sod in 5 Easy Steps. com To install sod on an existing lawn, cut any existing grass low, and level out any holes or step dips in the yard. The reason is that the sod on the edges is the most likely to dry out. New sod should be installed within 24 hours of being cut on the sod farm. Set the first piece of sod along the longest straight structure or paved area touching your bare yard, leaving no gaps between the sod and the building or pavement. Laying sod is time consuming, taking hours to install; therefore, professionally installed lawns can cost between $300-$1,000 and more. Every homeowner knows growing grass from seed takes months and months of time, constant, ongoing care. Remember to wait 7-10 days to install your new sod after applying glyphosate to ensure that it’s completely out of the soil. After you purchase the sod, it is time to lay them down and in that the very first step is to prepare the soil for the sod. Cut a triangle-shaped piece out of the sod, then bring the edges together. You can get an at-home soil test kit or take a sample to your local Cooperative Extension office. Step 3: Soil Preparation. Start on the straightest edge of the lawn, laying it in a brick-like pattern. On a slope: Lay the rolls across the slope. Then lay sod on the other section and keep the dog off of it while it gets established. Start by dampening the Laying Sod 1. Laying the First Row Find the Start laying turf along a straight edge, such as a patio, a fence, flower bed or driveway. Merge the edges of the sod with the surrounding grass by pressing it with your hands. To collect a sample of your soil, fill a bucket with the top 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) of your soil from at least 10 different spots in the area you’re laying the sod down on. Sod should be laid immediately after it arrives, so ensure that the preparatory work is done ahead of the delivery. New sod installation requires a sod knife, or any sharp knife with at least a 2-inch blade. Water the soil. After you’ve laid the first row, smooth out any areas that have wrinkled or bunched up, but be careful How to Lay Sod 1. This gives the new grass food to nourish it in the first few weeks. Place the sod in a staggered pattern. Make 3. The price to install sod ranges from $1 to $2 per square foot for both labor and materials. Water the entire area 12 to 24 hours before laying sod to provide base moisture. Then stagger the sod pieces in the adjacent rows in “brickwork” fashion. The purpose of laying grass sod is to start new, with a fresh carpet of healthy, weed-free grass. You’ll need this to cut through the rolls of sod you intend to lay. Fill low areas with good Step 3: Smooth the Soil. Keep the dog off that section until the sod gets established. 4. Stake each piece to hold it in place. While this is an initially expensive option learning how to lay sod will allow you to quickly achieve the lawn of your dreams. 170 Dolan Rd. While sod can effectively grow year round, the best time to install sod in Arizona is in the fall. Fresh sod must be laid as soon as possible after harvest, ideally within 24 hours of being cut. If your ground is already bare, you only need to grade it to ensure that it is level and drains water well. This will help the sod stay affixed to the ground while also minimize erosion of the Lay the Sod Dampen the area where you plan to lay sod. Cut down the higher spots and use soil to fill in the holes. Work with whole pieces, laying them one at a time, end to end. If laying sod on slopes, lay the slabs perpendicular to the slope. For a better chance of your sod “taking” on all the edges, slightly overlap the sod so it’s a bit too tight, like you see in the picture below. 6 Steps to Removing Weeds Before Laying Sod. After installing the sod, roll the entire area with a roller designed for this purpose, to ensure good ground contact and to eliminate the appearance of seams. When done, you should have a fully brown lawn. Establishing a Lawn from Sod In Indiana, most new lawns are established by seed, but sod is a common alternative. Give your lawn a fresh look by laying sod to cover dead spots. m. Soil surfaces should be 1 inch below walkways, patios and driveways to accommodate the sod thickness. com Another day of laying down sod. Laying Sod in Spring. Tri-Turf Sod Farms, Inc. Lay Sod in a Brick Pattern After lying the first interior roll, cut the second roll in half using a linoleum knife. This is as easy as measuring your yard or the area that needs sod and doing some basic math. Stagger the rows to create a brick wall pattern. Lay the rest of the sod one roll at a time staggering the seams in a brick-like pattern. Pack the sod into place and make sure there aren't air pockets between the sod and soil. Basic labor to install sod with favorable site conditions. To lay sod on a slope and get it to take root quickly, it's important to keep the sod from slipping and provide it plenty of water and nutrients. Bring in a top soil/ compost mix and spread it evenly through the yard. I want to determine how much sod is needed, how many pallets in total I should buy and an estimate for how much this landscaping project will cost. We need to take some necessary steps to set up the sod. You want to buy mature sod that has been properly fertilized, with roots that form a dense mat. Keeping the seams tight will help the appearance and prevent weeds from finding open ground in which to grow. Continue laying subsequent rows, but stagger the pieces of sod so that the seams do not line up with each other. Trim the edges with a utility knife and cut around all sprinkler heads (Photo 15). Stagger the sod pieces in adjacent rows so that the seams do not line up. Make sure the joints are butted together snugly without overlapping. After the sod pallets are placed as close as possible to your project area, depending on how close it is to where you’re going to be laying it, you’ll either load it in a wheelbarrow or pick it up with your hands and carry it to your project area. It doesn't need to 2. Rake the surface smooth and take time to break up any lumps. First, be sure to lay the sod down perpendicularly along the slopes of your property. Unroll the first piece of sod next to a driveway or a street. DIY prep yard for sod and more. How to Prepare Your Soil for Sod Loosen the top 6 to 8 inches of soil with a rototiller. ft pallet of sod (rectangles, not rolls)? thanks, Derek . After tilling, rake the soil to expose any sticks and clumps of old grass. Pat down each individual piece as you go, smoothing out any wrinkles or air pockets. Laying sod is a fast way to an amazing looking yard, whether your home is new construction or your grass is sparse and patchy. If you don’t own a roller, most hardware stores carry them to rent. Make sure that each Bermuda sod piece is tightly placed next to each other. In the grand scheme of home improvement, this project probably ranks on the lower end of skill level, and certainly on the lower end of the potential disaster. Try laying sod yourself. Lay the first line of sod along a straight line such as a driveway, sidewalk, or a string stretched between two stakes. If your lawn has an irregular shape, run a string across the center of the lawn area, with each end of the string attached to a stake. Laying sod is a traditional and reliable way to transform your yard into something amazing. Stonehenge LawnSite Bronze Member. 3. It’s best to begin your installation in a corner. Make several passes in a crisscross pattern to chop the old sod and turn over the soil. Begin installing sod along the longest straight line, such as a driveway or sidewalk. In order for the sod to establish, it's best to start with freshly watered soil. 4 Unroll the first piece of sod. On slopes lay the sod across the slope. The night before you lay the sod, irrigate the soil with 1/4 to 1/2 inch of water. For that, just use a rototiller to loosen up the soil from 6-8 inches from the top. pieces of sod and bending up and down with that 35 lbs. Morris County NJ A few weeks before you plan to lay the sod, get a soil test. In this video we show you the basics of how to Lay sod down, a great job for any DIYer! We show you from start to finish on the process of how to demo old gr Spread compost evenly over the area to be tilled at the rate of three to six cubic yards per 1,000 square feet. By starting on the edges, you ensure that the edges will at least have sod strips of the full width, making them less likely to dry out. Place it over the problem area. 3. Installing New Sod. How to Lay Sod . Step 4: Laying the Sod. About how long does it take to lay a 504 sq. Lay Down the Sod. Best Practices for Laying Sod in Winter. Unroll, place and seam pack sod. We source our sod from trusted Canadian suppliers and our experts know how to lay new sod properly. Most grasses grow best and establish their roots during the cooler months of the year, so by laying your sod in the spring, you give it a chance to settle before the high temperatures of summer set in. There are a couple of things to consider when laying sod in the wintertime so that it flourishes accordingly in the months to comes. Avoid walking on the sod as you lay it, and rake out any footprints you make in soil as you go. A landscape contractor can lay down 2,000 sq. Power equipment makes laying sod more efficient and cost-effective, but it’s tough to squeeze into small spaces. Leveling Your Lawn Use an iron rake to knock down any high spots and fill in low spots so the soil is level and 1 3. Be wary of low bids. If the area does not have a straight edge, use a string to create one. Each time of year has different needs and initial appearances. Be sure to set your mower to the highest setting possible in order to avoid cutting it too close to the root. Shaping the Sod to Fit Your Yard. 1 sq. 5) and nutrient-rich. If you don’t, it can create air pockets that can actually cause the new sod to dry out. We laid out a very simple How-To guide for installing sod, and along the way we ask that our customers record some of their project. Includes planning, equipment and material acquisition, area preparation and protection, setup and cleanup. Now that your fertilizer is laid down, you can start laying your sod. Make sure the edges are tightly butted up against each other, avoiding any gaps or overlaps. If the ground is hard, water the area the night before to soften it up. To ensure a smooth growing process for the sod, you’ll want to remove this debris. Start in the furthest corner of your yard, and go all the way across the back wall. How to Lay Down Sod Step 1: Prepare the Soil. 4. Lay Sod. Call today for a free estimate and let’s get to the next stage of achieving the perfect lawn! Our yard sod selection is the best in the area Laying the sod Like building a wall with bricks, the sod should be laid in a pattern that staggers the seams for the best results. Morris County NJ The first step of laying sod yourself is knowing how much you need. Keep the sod too wet to Laying sod on curves is done using darts. To avoid making mistakes, follow this step-by-step guide on how to lay sod. Stagger the joints in each row like rows of bricks. Distribute new growth fertilizer on prepared soil (separate item). The following will show you how to set up SOD in 10 easy steps: Soil test; Place measuring tape; The place is machine washed Note that if you want to get the lawn established by a third party professional, approximate cost of laying sod including soil preparation, delivery and laying would cost $1 - $2 per square feet. Lightly fluff the soil with a rake prior to laying sod. Lay it in a brick-like pattern. Sod Preparation and sod Installation. All you have to do is make sure the ground is nice and level and raked out smooth and free of debris and weeds. Cut uneven or irregular end pieces with a carpet knife. And because you need to keep the sod wet for the first 10 days, existing nutrients in the soil will be watered down. Carefully level all surfaces to be sodded. A 2,000 square foot lawn takes about 40 hours for a total of $1,400 to $3,000 for labor alone. Lay sod strips with the ends butting up together, but not overlapping. 8 h. Before you can lay your sod, you’ll need to have a level surface to work with. Instead of using the hand 4. Set your lawn mower at the lowest setting, mow the lawn, rake debris and put down a thin layer of good quality top soil before laying sod. Follow the string line down the center of the field to make sure it's straight. ” But don’t be daunted. And then you just simply lay the 16″ x 24″ pieces of grass down on the ground, just like tile, and you don’t want any dirt showing. To do so: Firstly, dig out your lawn, water the area, spraying herbicides to smother them to death, and then remove them using a manual or power sod cutter. You can buy the materials separately and just pay for labor, which may cost $35 to $75 per hour. Fit sod as tight to the edge as possible. Now you will start laying sod rolls. Let’s face it – most people don’t know how to bid laying sod. Another day of laying down sod. The reason is because temperatures start to fall and homeowners can take advantage of natural rainfall as the monsoon season draws to a close. Trimming it to fit around curves or existing landscape features takes time and adds to the cost of your project. " Step 1: Sod Overview Photo by Keller & Keller. Choose good quality sod. Rotor till in the compost 4” to 6” deep. To increase the likelihood that our customers will install sod correctly and have success with their new lawn, we are introducing SodGuarantee. Once you’ve adequately prepped the soil, you’re now ready to lay the rolls of sod down. After grading, install your sod, water immediately and use your sod roller. Leave them as square edges for now until you are completely finished laying the sod. Prepare the Soil. Work with whole pieces, laying them one at a time, end to end. You also should use a lawn roller afterward to press When changing or replacing existing sod, you can either apply the glyphosate to kill it or remove the existing sod with a mechanical sod cutter. Stagger the pieces as you normally would when laying sod. It is very hot and sometimes drought prone depending on your location. This in comparison to the cost for seed , which is generally less than 4 cents a square foot (0. The exception to this is if laying your sod on a slope, which requires you install it perpendicular to the slope. If the sod seems higher than the surrounding lawn, remove a little soil out of the patch, smooth and try again. When you get to the center, sod widths may have to be trimmed (use a sharp Laying down grass sod to start or repair a lawn isn’t the hardest yard task, but it is labor intensive and requires knowing more than “green side up. If you have a bare or barren patch of yard, sod is a moderately priced way to turn a brown or weedy patch into a thick, green lawn. "Put down on properly prepared soil, it will thrive. Many people assume that the underlying lawn will die and provide some nutrients for the fresh sod, but that’s not the case. Once everything is nice and level, you need to apply a turf starter fertilizer that’s right for the kind of sod you’ll be laying. Paris, TN 38242. Instead of using the hand Laying Your Sod: Before laying any sod, apply Mighty 109 Starter Fertilizer to the entire surface to be covered with sod. You fill the drum with water or sand to add weight. It’ll squish down together forming a good bond of soil and sod. Lay the first row of sod all the way along the straight edge. Surprisingly, sod rolls begin heating in the center and deteriorate from the inside out. In warmer climates you can install sod at any point year-round. Lay the first roll of sod along your sidewalk, curb, driveway, patio, or garden, making sure it's in a straight line. Laying sod is hard work: little wonder people are always looking for a shortcut when landscaping their yard. Should you decide to hire out the prep work and sod laying, interview the con-tractor carefully. Just keep it moist. Unfortunately, many people fail to lay sod correctly. You may need multiple darts in larger curves. Push the sod pieces together tightly as they may shrink if allowed to dry out before rooting. Before you soil prep, install a sprinkler system and eventually install your new sod, it’s important to establish the grade and rough shape your lawn. When laying out the new sod, it is recommended to follow these tips: Plan on where the sod will be delivered and place it in a convenient location in your yard, Use wagons or wheel barrels to help transport slabs to where you’re working as you move around, Plan on having the appropriate amount of people handy to help out with labor, If you want to install sod on bare ground, till the soil. Smooth the Lightly rake the area to be sodded just before planting. 1 (800) 643-8873 sodit@triturfsod. Spread 2 inches of finished 2. Then, press the sod into the soil with a sod roller (Photo 16), and water it thoroughly. Learn how to prepare soil for sod and measure the space, along with sod care tips to make sure Summer is a tough time to lay sod. How to Lay Sod Whether your project is commercial or residential, using sod is often the quickest and easiest route to establishing a lawn. Laying lawn sod requires hauling about 35 lb. Make sure this is done within 6 to 12 hours of the sod arriving. Sod tips and tricks. The best time to lay sod, however, is in late summer and early fall when temperatures are cooler but grass continues to grow. Begin by laying the sod along a straight edge such as a wall, fence or walkway. To do so: Lay your first row of sod, usually along the longest side of the yard. Remove twigs, stones, and other debris from the area to prepare the soil. Don't drench the ground. Your beautiful fresh sod can be destroyed by old weeds and invasive grasses pushing up through the new grass, and all your time and effort sodding will seem wasted. Sod tips and tricks. In most cases it won't be necessary to add too much extra dirt, but the little bit of compost will help give some nutrients to the roots while your new grass becomes established Start laying sod along a straight edge, such as next to a walk or driveway, so that everything starts off straight. We confidently install sod year round and get great longterm results. Once the sod and soil are thoroughly mixed, add the topsoil and nutrients (lime or sulfur) and work them in with the tiller. This gives the smooth professional appearance of newly installed sod. Best Time to Lay Sod . Lay down the first row of sod. Unscrupulous installers will often do little or no prep work and just lay the sod on whatever they find in your yard. Turf likes a well-aerated base that's slightly acidic (with a pH between 6 and 7. I want to lay down sod which costs $250 per pallet (which is 500 square footage in dimensions). Plan on laying the sod the day it arrives if at all possible. In short – most northern climate lawns will have cool season grasses, and you don’t want to plant those in summer. Lay the sod in brickwork fashion, smoothing the soil in advance of sod laying. Before laying sod, the old grass and a bit of the old soil beneath it has to be taken away. It can also lead to additional soil erosion, as it is easier for the water to flow through. Based on information from the farmer’s almanac, the last Spring frost is on ~April 6th. Who Should Lay Sod Instead of Growing Grass from Seed? Laying out sod may be perfect for you, especially if you’re looking for a quick turnaround period for your Lay sod over one section of lawn at a time. Short transplanting window. In most climates, the best time to lay sod is in the spring, when the weather begins to warm up but before it gets too hot. Rake out the area before laying each piece of sod to loosen the top layer of soil and optimize rooting. Work to smooth out any wrinkles in the sod. Make use of a rotavator to till the ground for loosening it up. It’s fine if there are hills or bumps under the ground, but make sure that the soil is layered evenly over the top of them. A roll of sod starts composting itself from the inside out if left out too long, especially during hot weather. When you call around for prices and availability, always add about 5% to the total square footage you measured out. Step 6: Level Out Soil Before Laying Sod Down. Use a large sharp knife for shaping sod around trees, at flower beds or along borders. Allow a few weeks for processing if you use your Extension service. Grade your lawn so that water will run away from the house’s foundation. When laying sod you want to stagger the seams and make sure the patches are tightly pressed together. If you want to arrive at the total cost of sodding your lawn area, then you need to first calculate the total square feet area of your lawn and then Using a shovel, cut a patch of the sod to fit the bald spot in your lawn. You also need to test your soil to determine if nutrients should be added. Work outwards from the center line towards the edges. We have a lot of pallets of grass that I need to lay down and we are doing it as fast as possible. This is particularly true in areas where wind and potential soil erosion is a factor, because seed can be blown or washed away before it has a chance to become established in the ground. DIY prep yard for sod and more. Sod Preparation and sod Installation. Give your lawn a good start by choosing quality sod. You don’t want it to overheat, and if it has arrived on a pallet, it will need to be unstacked to air out. Zoysiagrass sod needs plenty of water while its roots develop. See full list on doityourself. However when laying the new sod is done correctly your efforts will be rewarded with a lush green lawn that you can enjoy throughout the year. The sod should be placed directly on top of the soil and pushed firmly in place and tamped down with your hand to make sure the sod has direct contact with the soil and there are no wrinkles. We have a lot of pallets of grass that I need to lay down and we are doing it as fast as possible. Sod is often faster and more reliable than seed, which requires more time and care to establish. 6 Steps To Lay Sod Yourself (With Pictures) Turn under the old sod with a gas-powered rotary tiller. When you lay Begin laying your sod next to the straightest cement edge of your yard which is usually the sidewalk or driveway. Envision a stacked brick wall: This is the way you want to lay out your sod pieces, in staggered lines. Continue to lay the rest of the rows, staggering the pieces in a brick wall fashion. Water. Remove the Old Grass. Lay out the sod as you would a rug or tiles. Always start on the edges when laying sod. "Sometimes sod gets a bad rap, but that's usually because of mistakes people make while laying it," says Roger. Be sure to mark any existing irrigation heads to avoid breaking them. Make sure that you work in pieces, avoid walking on the sod, and avoid any air pockets. Take out any leaves or weeds from the soil. If you do not have spring rain where you live, water the sod daily for seven to 10 days after you lay it. Before starting a project, our team will discuss all your lawn wants and needs. Work to smooth out any wrinkles in the sod. Laying the strips vertically can lead to the sod slipping out of place. ft of sod for $2,176 or you can do it yourself for about $843 . Lime should only be applied to a dry lawn, and never to a lawn that is dormant, wilted, or stressed. But sod requires just as much care before and after laying it as sowing seed. Start unrolling sod along a straight edge in your lawn. Don’t worry if you leave a little space between the rolls. Start along a straight edge in your yard and unroll the first row of sod. Rent a small sod harvester to remove the old turf. Use a rototiller or spade the desired area to a depth of 6 inches. ), makes installing sod much more expensive. Use sod staples to secure the sod on steep slopes if necessary. If you need to lay sod in the summer, be ready to water your new lawn very often as a means of maintaining its health. This layer should be removed from the landscape. So, in theory, it makes sense to mow your lawn short and lay new sod right over the existing lawn. Start a new roll immediately where the unrolled roll is finished. You will then need to use a sod cutter or roto-tiller to remove the top layer of grass and debris to create a smooth and graded surface for laying new sod. Also make sure there are no air pockets under your sod anywhere. Then step on the 2 edges where the sod meets. That means that early spring is one of the best times to lay sod in NC without the risk of your grass being killed off by freezing temperatures. Our goal is to make every single client happy and bring the joy of outdoor activities to the family. Sod produces a lush lawn quickly, without the time and risk of planting grass seed. Begin by laying full strips along an outside edge (such as the sidewalk). Laying The Sod. In hot weather, protect unlaid sod by placing in the shade. 2. Water to dampen the bare soil and start laying sod immediately after delivery. Your home center should be able to provide you with the proper mixture. Installing Houston Grass Sod. Step 6 of preparing lawn soil for laying sod turf is to level out the soil. Fill any cracks with soil to prevent edges from drying. Start laying turf along a straight edge, such as a patio, a fence, flower bed or driveway. Lay sod in one section and block it off so your dog stays off of it. Laying Sod Without Rototilling. Use a roller about one third full of water to ensure the roots of the sod have good contact with the soil. Stagger the end seams to create a brick pattern. Break up soil clods that are larger than 2 inches in diameter. over and over again—it generally takes one person two hours to lay down one pallet of sod. First, we have to clean the place where we are going to place the sod and measure that place well. When it comes to new sod, watering is the top priority. Start by laying sod along a long edge. Yard Access. You will want the soil to be damp three to four inches below the surface. To lay sod on a slope and get it to take root quickly, it's important to keep the sod from slipping and provide it plenty of water and nutrients. The 2. Check out some tips for this important step: Sod comes in rolls that are a breeze to install over a square or rectangular space. Pulverized the soil and mix in the compost by making multiple passes if necessary. Sod installed in the summer needs much more water to keep it healthy, but it typically looks great because it is the growing season. How long does it take new sod to root? Your new sod should root within 10-14 days of application. Lay the Sod. It can die off and be a waste of all your money and time. How to Lay Sod 1. com. A landscaping rake is the best tool for this job, although most other rakes will do an adequate job. Remove the grass and sticks with the 3. how to lay sod