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How To Install Sod Yourself

Can I lay sod myself?

Sod installation is a landscaping project that you can do yourself. Sodding a lawn is also much quicker than growing one from grass seeds.

How do you lay sod for beginners?

Start laying turf along a straight edge, such as a patio, a fence, flower bed or driveway. Work with whole pieces, laying them one at a time, end to end. Avoid walking on the sod as you lay it, and rake out any footprints you make in soil as you go. Work to smooth out any wrinkles in the sod.

Can I just lay sod on dirt?

While sod can be laid directly on fill dirt, some preparation and follow up is necessary for the success of the 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.

Is it OK to lay sod over grass?

Sod, though, can be applied directly over existing grass.” When the grass dies, it gives off nutrients that actually benefit the new sod above it. The main nutrient that the dead grass layer provides is nitrogen. Applying sod directly over grass is advantageous because it requires less work.

Is it hard to lay down sod?

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.” But don’t be daunted. 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.

What is a good starter fertilizer for sod?

NEW SOD LAWNS For new sod, it is critical to get the roots established first. A fertilizer with an adequate amount of phosphorus is best. Apply fertilizer with a listing of 16-16-16 (rate: 6.5 lbs / 1000 sq. ft.) or 10-20- 20 (rate: 10 lbs / 1000 sq.

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 it better to plant grass seed or sod?

Sod – Simply put, sod is the most expensive option because you are essentially paying someone else for time and materials of growing the grass. Seed – Financially, seeding is an appealing choice as the cost of even the best seed mix is still a lot cheaper than sod, so if budget is your driving factor, seed wins out.

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.

How much sod is on a pallet?

Keep in-mind: A pallet of turf grass covers approximately 450 square feet of lawn. Contact us for the most accurate measure.

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.

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.

How long before you can walk on 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.

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 do you water new sod?

Begin watering newly laid sod within 30 minutes of installation. Apply at least 1” of water so that the soil beneath the turf is wet. Ideally 3”-4” of soil beneath the surface should be moist. Turf is a living plant that requires ground contact and moisture to survive.

Can you put sod on top of sand?

Laying sod over sand is a quick way to establish a new lawn. A yard often contains a combination of the common soil types: sand, silt, clay and loam. Laying sod over sand is a similar procedure to placing sod over any other type of soil. A benefit of laying sod over sand is that water drains quickly.

How do you stop weeds from growing on new sod?

Consider a selective post-emergent herbicide in a spray bottle or tank sprayer with a controllable stream; this way, you can easily spot-treat the weeds in your new sod. Pre-emergent herbicides prevent weeds from growing, but if you lay sod in spring or fall it may be too late to use this kind of herbicide.

When should new grass be cut?

New lawns need time for their roots to become established before they can be mowed for the first time. For seeded lawns, it may take up to 2 months before they are ready to be mowed. Sod may be ready to be mowed within 2 to 3 weeks of planting.

Will yellow sod turn green again?

Yellow dying sod can be revived and become green again. However, before you rush to remedy yellow dying sod, make sure that you identify the cause before jumping to the assumption that your lawn isn’t getting enough water.

How often do you water new sod?

Your new lawn needs to be watered twice a day, for about 20 minutes per session every day for at least two months. This should be enough so that your lawn gets a solid six inches of watering per cycle.