Installing Sod is absolutely the best choice for an immediate transformation of the area in which you want to have a healthy, thick, durable grass that will last many years if taken care of properly.
We are a full service landscaping company and are happy to help with any part of your project or the entire thing!
The first step is site preparation:
In order to give your new Sod the best chance of success you need to establish Dirt on Dirt contact so the root system can connect with the sub soil. Start by removing any vegetation, grass, weeds, or old root matter. This can be done in a number of ways. Renting a walk behind sod cutter might be your best choice so that it controls the depth in which you are shaving everything off. You can then rake up this material easily and remove it. some situations may not have any vegetation and it’s already dirt. If this is the case, use whatever tools or methods at your disposal in order to level out the area and get it as flat and smooth as you want the finished product to feel. If your site has poor quality soil this would be a perfect time to have us deliver a load our 50-50 mixture of compost/topsoil so that you can mix it in to your existing soil. Not only does this help improve soil quality it makes it easier on you to fill-in any low areas to ultimately get things as flat, level, and smooth as possible before your installation. If you have a large number of rocks, it’s a good idea to remove what you can. If your new Sod is going to be coming up against a concrete patio, driveway, or sidewalks It’s a good idea to spade down about 2 inches along these edges. This insures the grass and root system is not raised up higher than the sidewalk or concrete surface allowing snow melt and water to run off of those surfaces easily.
Order your new sod:
Now that your area is prepared, take a final measurement. Calculate your square feet by multiplying the length and width of the area. Then divide your square feet by nine in order to convert it to square yards. Our sod rolls contain 9 ft.² or one square yard. once you have the square yards need determined. Place your order. We do our best to fill orders as quickly as possible. In some cases, if the order is placed soon enough, we can get it to you the same day. We are full service and offer pick up and delivery options.
Installation:
The best most efficient way is to pick a straight run on your area for the first row. Lay three or four rolls out and then start with your next row cutting the final piece back about 16 inches. Continue doing so with each row similar to the way roofers install shingles. We call this a stair step and it allows all of your seams to be staggered. This allows placing of the rolls so that the person on the ground just has to quickly roll them out, pull them together tightly, and then advance to the next roll. We choose to cut or trim the sod using a standard utility knife from the backside, similar to how you would cut carpeting.
Fertilizing:
After your new sod is installed, it’s a good idea to put a granule fertilizer and pre-emerge mixture on it before applying the water. Not completely necessary, but it’s a good idea as the water will dissolve it and put it directly into the root system to help give it a good start. A starter fertilizer or crabgrass preventer is a good choice and can be purchased at your local supply store.
Watering:
When watering your new sod it’s a good idea to set up your sprinklers along the parameter if possible because you will be watering for at least two weeks and if you can avoid having to move the hoses and sprinklers will make it easier. It’s a good idea to water it heavily for the first couple of days. How to tell if you’ve got enough water on it pick up a piece or two here and there and look underneath of it. If the ground is wet and muddy underneath of it, then you have achieved the initial watering needs. At this point you’re just wanting to keep moisture in the ground. Every situation is different so use your best judgment, but be sure to keep plenty of water on it over the course of the first two weeks. After the first two weeks, then it’s still a good idea to water it every few days if we are in a dry weather situation. June July August is generally hot and dry. Don’t turn your back on your yard.
Mowing:
After a couple weeks, it’s generally time for the first mowing. Turn off the water for a couple days and let the ground firm up enough so that you can walk on it without creating any movement. Your new sod is generally attached by now and you can’t pick a piece up anymore. We always recommend using a push mower for the first mowing, setting it on its highest cut setting. If you need to use a riding lawnmower, it’s a good idea to drive straight continuing past or off of the new sod and turn around somewhere else so that your tires don’t create a spinning effect causing the seams to open up. This will allow intrusive weeds a place to get started. After the initial mowing, you can resume all normal lawn care procedures.
Lawn spraying program:
If you are not already on a lawn spraying/care program this is a good time to explore those options. Be sure to ask one of our professionals who we recommend when speaking with us. This will help protect your investment.