QA

Quick Answer: How To Lay Down Sod

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 you just throw sod down?

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. Removing your old lawn before laying new sod is crucial for a healthy root system.

What is the best time to lay down 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.

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.

Is it hard to lay 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.

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 I 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Should I put topsoil down before sod?

Adding topsoil is not essential for sod but it will provide some benefits. If you cannot have the topsoil mixed into the existing soil, then do not apply it! A thin layer of topsoil prevents grass plants from rooting deeply.

What do you mix with soil before laying sod?

Typical starter fertilizer recommendations are (N-P-K) of 10-10-10 or 19-19-19. Lightly incorporate this starter fertilizer into the top 2-3 inches of topsoil to avoid root injury. Lightly tamp or roll the topsoil to settle the surface and create an ideal surface for installing the sod.

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.

Is sod real grass?

To put it simply, sod is grass. It’s grass that is grown and harvested for the specific purpose of transplantation. Sod is made like any other crop. When it’s ready for harvest, they take the grass along with a layer of soil entangled within the root system.