Useful Tips for Sod Installation You Could Use
The pride of many homeowners and parks has been a lush lawn that looks vibrant, healthy, and thick. No surprise then, sod continues to be the number one way to install and produce an even lawn right from the start versus trying to grow it from seed. However, laying new sod isn’t a simple matter of unrolling carpet slices of green grass. A good amount of preparation is involved in the job to do it right, otherwise, the sod applied can end up dying off.
How Much Sod to Order?
A typical sod application is not a drop in the bucket. A 1,000 square foot section will run approximately $850, and larger yards or front lawn areas can cost more. However, the positive effects can be almost immediate as it only takes a few weeks for the sod to settle in and look like a natural lawn without any hint of artificial preparation and installation.
When to Lay Sod
The best time for a new sod installation tends to be in the spring or fall. Ideally, the sod should go down when it is cool outside and there’s no blazing sun or frigid temperatures at night. Technically, sod can be installed any time of year without snow or freezing, but it will grow best in the mid-warming times of year between extremes.
How to Prepare for Sod Installation
The first step in how to lay sod yourself and any sod job involves getting the soil ready for the sod installation. Sod can’t be just laid on top of hard-packed dirt and expected to magically grow. The soil underneath has to be tilled and turned over to all for oxygen, water penetration, and root growth. Sometimes soil may even have clay in it, a serious problem for growth. So, additional soil has to be added to break up this problem and give the sod proper material to work with. The most common soil preparation involves rototilling to a fine level so the ground is completely worked and there are no hardpan or compacted areas left.
Preparing Yard for Sod
Next, the soil has to be leveled when preparing for sod installation. Note, this does not mean compacted. Instead, the bumps and lumps need to be taken out or broken down so the sod has even contact with the soil underneath. Lumps and clods will create gaps and root die-off since the sod roots won’t be able to cross the spacing in a pocket. Close contact is ideal as the sod roots will continue to grow down into the soil bed, rooting the sod layer for long-term growth.
How Can You Lay Sod Pieces?
The first row of sod matters the most. You want that first row to be as straight as possible, so it should be lined up with an edge, a fence, or a sidewalk edge. That definition will impact the rest of the sod as it gets placed. The sod is basically placed, pinned, and unrolled along the edge. Generally, nothing should be on the sod or standing on it. A key factor is a sod, flat application without any pockets or bubbles. Use a rake if needed to press bumps or wrinkles down.
As a roll finishes and a new roll starts, they should be staggered so there’s not a single line across the lawn from one row to the next. A basic garden knife helps with trimming edges, ends, and holes for garden sprinklers and edges.
As the sod is laid down, one layer after another, tuck and butt the edges and ends together snugly so there’s no gapping or overlap. Ideally, the edges should grow together without any die-off due to a dry spot.
Watering
Adding water to the sod should be regular and frequent but avoid flooding and make sure drainage is working properly. Sitting water causes sod to rot and die off. Avoid standing on the lawn in any situation as it will be very easy to kill at this point in the growth. Watering should be in the morning so it has the day to dry off the excess and won’t sit at night. After about a week, watering can be lessened to every two days. By the third week, it should be two out of seven days. Then the sod should be in maintenance mode, with more water in the summer and less in the winter.
Time to Mow and How to Care for Sod
Generally, sod will not be ready to cut and mow for a number of weeks. It really shouldn’t even be touched until the grass is over three inches in height. At that point, lower it only to two inches. A lightweight mower should be used and all cuttings should be bagged and removed. The sod is still fragile and easy to kill off. Also, make sure the mower’s blade is sharpened; a dull blade bruises the grass and damages it further down the stalk.
Also, don’t be too quick to add fertilizer. The first feeding should be at least a month after the sod installation and not sooner. Make sure to use a starter fertilizer first versus a regular brand.
Can You Lay Down Sod by Yourself?
The short answer is yes, but you need to be dedicated to the work and have the right tools for the job. It’s not rocket science, but you can’t rush the job either for the best results. Putting down sod is not an instant-gratification trick; it takes work and planning. Follow the steps right, and the sod will turn into a beautiful lawn.
However, if this kind of project seems challenging or could take too much time, Clear Cut Group is always available to help.
Sod installation is just one of a number of projects Clear Cut Group can help homeowners with, along with landscaping and light hanging too. So, you can still enjoy a new sod installation without struggling with the work the first time, and it gives you a good chance to see how the job is done right as well.
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source https://clearcutgroup.ca/press-releases/clear-cut-group-provides-a-diy-guide-to-your-next-sod-installation-project/
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