How To Lay Sod
If you’re in a bind and your lawn is filled with weeds, it’s time to start over. You’ve got two choices: reseed or lay down sod. While seeding might be cheaper and involve less effort, this process takes longer to get the gorgeous green lawn that you are longing for.
What is sod?
If you want to have a sod installation phoenix in your lawn, look for a farm that farms the same day it is delivered. Sod laying can be tedious and time-consuming if not done properly. If laid within 24 hours of harvesting by reputable people who know what they’re doing then there shouldn’t be any issues with survivability as long as all vegetation isn’t killed off in some other way beforehand (e.g., herbicide).
Steps for sod installation:
- Remove the Old Grass
If you want to lay sod, the first thing that needs to be done is removing any old grass and soil. The goal will require an inch of level ground for your new yard’s roots to take hold in. This can be achieved by renting a sod cutter – which looks like two rectangular frames with sharp blades attached at one end. It cuts out strips under the root system leaving behind loose dirt where the cut was made – similar to how rolls are delivered from farmhouses!
- Prepare The Soil
Soil preparation is essential to a successfulsod installation. Use a garden rake (also known as a bow rake) level the soil and break up any large chunks of dirt into small pieces that will be easy for new roots to penetrate, making sure not to compact it down. Add some layers of lawn soil on top so they can bond with native plants easily and quickly before laying out rolls or bricks of fresh turf link. Never lay them over existing grasses because this may kill both types!
- Lay the sod
When laying sod, first dampen the soil with a sprinkler or hose. Then rake out any footprints from the previous patch of laid grass and unroll it against your longest edge that is surrounded by either concrete or landscaping. Take away any footprint you’ve left behind on this next piece as well before unrolling another roll onto these patches until you brick-wall pattern all pieces together without overlapping them leaving no gaps between each one’s edges!
- Trim Your Edges
You’re almost done with lying rolls of sod, but you might find that the edges are uneven. Don’t worry! Just fold back your excess grass and use a sharp knife to trim it down. Make sure to cut from the soil side through grassy edges, patting down any new spaces as you go along until everything is smooth again.
- Don’t forget to Water
Watering the newly laid sod is recommended twice a day for two to six weeks. Then, pull back a corner of the new grass and check if it’s moist but not muddy. If so, continue watering that way until it bonds with native soil beneath it. Also fertilizing it is necessary too.
