Beautifying one’s lawn chooses no time of the year. Whether it be spring or summer time, a revival of your lifeless backyard is something you need to work on. Having a weedy and barren yard is a sign that your lawn is calling for a renewal. And what more could give you a better and faster fix than a sod? A sod or turf consists of grass with the soil beneath it held together by its roots or another material. It is typically used by homeowners to give their lawns a quick fix and to avoid soil erosion. It also aids in improving air quality and cooling your surroundings as it can be 30 degrees cooler than concrete, asphalt, or rock during the warm season. qWithout further ado, here are the steps on how to plant sod. Your brand new lawn is now within your reach with these 7 easy steps!
1. Prepare the Soil for Sod
First, clear the area of rocks and debris, and then till the soil for at least 4-6 inches to get rid of drainage problems. After that, spread the topsoil or soil amendments into the surface. Soil amendments are used to improve a soil’s condition and strengthen its capability of holding nutrients and moisture. Next, you have to test the soil pH by collecting samples of the soil around the area you will be sodding. A pH that is slightly on the acidic side (6-7.5) is ideal for turf grasses. Finally, the last step to prepare the soil for sod is adding the appropriate starter fertilizer based on your soil test results. Apply it 2 inches into the topsoil to steer clear from root injury.
2. Flatten your Lawn
The second step to sod installation is flattening your lawn. Use a rake to level the soil by removing high spots and filling in low-lying areas which helps create loose soil particles which are ideal for grasses. Make sure that the soil is 1 inch below any paved surface, like patios, walkways, or driveways. Dampen the soil a day or two before laying your sod.
3. Lay Out the Sod
Look for the longest straight line in your yard and begin laying the first row along it. Unroll the turf as you would a rug or tiles. Avoid stepping on the sod in the process of installing it and rake out footprints that you make in the soil as you go. Pat down the sod against the soil to make sure it’s flat and smooth, and with no room for air to get inside as air pockets prevent good rooting.
4. Laying the Next Rows of Turf
Continue sod installation by using a knife to cut off the next piece in half and lay it against the first one. Stagger the joints as if you were laying bricks. Be careful not to overlap the sides of the soil and use your knife to cut down the edges. You can also push your thumb on the edges to ensure a snugly fit and avoid the sight of bare soil showing along seams. A cheap carpet knife might work well for this step.
5. Water Your New Lawn Frequently
Water it daily for an hour for the first week, from there you can reduce watering to every other day, and by the third week, you can water it for just twice a week. But at times when the rain has got your back, there is no need to water on that day. Newly installed sod needs moisture to survive while rooting to your lawn.
6. Begin Mowing
Start mowing as soon as you see the grass reach 3 inches high. Cut it down to 2 inches by using a walk-behind mower instead of the heavier ride-on type and make sure to bag the clippings. Use a sharp blade to cut high the first time, and slowly lower the cut-height as you go along the process of caring for your new lawn.
Feed the grass with starter fertilizer after a span of four weeks’ growth. Keep in mind to continue avoiding foot traffic in your new lawn four weeks after sod installation.After that, you can enjoy the fruit of your efforts and finally have some family time at your newly established backyard.
7. Fertilize Your Sod
Now, you have been oriented with the 7 easiest steps on how to plant sod. But wait, there’s more – here are a few tips and tricks on sod installation, straight from the pros.
Advice from Sod Farmers
- Farmers cut their turf in the middle of the night to have it delivered the next day. This is due to the sod having the tendency to dry quickly. To maintain moisture, you might want to consider watering the sod soon after you have laid the first few rolls.
- It is advisable to use a soil probe in order to be sure how moist your lawn is. Even farmers themselves cannot tell.
- Grass hidden in shady spots should not be watered as much as they are not exposed to plenty of sun which makes turf stronger.
There you have it! You are now equipped with the knowledge to care for your newly established lawn, along with the tips and tricks to go along with it, which might just help you avoid mistakes and guide you to achieving an instant lush lawn! If you are someone looking to sell your property, a sod can definitely add value to your home with its aesthetic and noise reduction properties. Or you may be a homeowner looking to remodel your yard. This walkthrough on how to plant sod is not only ideal for maintaining a well-landscaped home, it will also benefit your children and even pets who will likely romp around the soft grass during playtime. To sum it up, learning how to plant sod is a great thing because having sod is beneficial not only to nature, but to people as well. Sod can easily become your lawn’s new best friend with the benefits it offers.
