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Prepare Soil
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Prepare Soil - Remove
rocks, weeds, debris etc. from area to be sodded. Work up soil to a depth
of 6 inches. If more material is required to bring the grade to desired
level, consider adding sand, peat or a good quality loam, and mix with
your existing soil to a reasonable depth. If existing soil is of heavy
texture we suggest adding sand or peat to improve texture and drainage. |
Grade
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Grade - Carefully level all surfaces
to be sodded. Soil surface should be 1 inch below walks, patios or driveways
to accomodate sod thickness. A light rolling may show soil depressions
or surface regularities allowing you to level these areas. Be sure to
rake areas smooth and level. |
Lay Sod
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Lay Sod - Bring just a few rolls
of sod to the site in a cart or wheelbarrow. Lightly moisten the soil
before laying, but don't soak it. Lay first strip of sod along a straight
line (string a line in irregular areas). Butt joints tightly, but don't
stretch them and be careful not to overlap edges. On the second strip,
stagger joints much like laying bricks. Use a sharp knife to cut sod to
fit curves, edges, sprinkler heads, etc. Don't stand on newly planted
sod; instead use a kneeling board to lay additional rows. NOTE: If you
are not going to finish laying the sod in one day, be sure to keep remaining
sod in a shaded area and lightly water to prevent from drying out. We
recommend that you allocate the time to finish this project on the same
day. |
Water
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Water - DO NOT LAY ENTIRE LAWN BEFORE
WATERING! When a conveniently large area has been sodded, water lightly
to prevent drying. The warmer and dryer the weather, the greater the need
for this initial watering. Continue to lay sod and to lightly water until
the installation is complete. |
Roll Lawn
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Roll Lawn - After laying all sod,
roll lightly to eliminate irregularities and to form good between sod
and soil. A very heavy roller or excessive initial watering may cause
roller marks and should be avoided. |
Irrigate
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Irrigate - WATER THOROUGHLY the
completed lawn surface. The first few days after installation are critical.
Soil should be moistened well below the sod to encourage root development.
Repeat sprinkling according to climatic conditions to avoid drying. |
| Choosing Sod
Fresh, healthy sod is the key to a successful sod lawn. Because the grass in commercial sod is professionally grown in top-quality soil that receives regular fertilizing and watering, it is sturdy, dense, and weed-free. Best Landscaping uses locally grown high quality sod from Sturgeon Valley Sod farms. Sod should be newly harvested -- ideally within a day before it's laid. Arrange for it to be delivered as soon as you've finished preparing the soil. The sod will arrive piled on pallets in rolls, with the soil side exposed. The strips of sod are generally 2 feet wide and 5 feet long or 10 square feet. Unroll a strip to inspect it. The grass should be at least 2 inches long and of a uniform green color. The soil on the underside should be dark and moist, about 1 inch thick, and show a tight matrix of healthy roots. Store the pallets in the shade. Keep the pieces of sod moist, and cover them to avoid drying out in case there's an unexpected delay. Try to lay the sod within 72 hours of delivery. Sod is available in many types of grass. If you're doing a patching job, try to find a sod with grass that resembles the color and texture of the grass surrounding the patch. When in doubt, compromise by choosing a mixture of grass types. An advantage to sodding is that it gives you an opportunity to introduce a new grass blend or mixture that's appropriate for your site. If it's an area that gets a lot of foot traffic, use a mixture that features tall fescue, which stands up best to wear and tear. Or if the area is primarily for display, a blend of Kentucky bluegrasses may look elegant. |
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