Summer is the best time of year to replace your old, worn out looking lawn with new sod. Applying a new lawn also works as an excellent and convenient alternative to planting grass seed, which could take weeks to germinate. However, there’s a right and wrong way to lay down and maintain new sod. Keep reading for proper sodding instructions.
The Process of Laying Down New Sod
Determine the Amount of Sod Needed
Measure the land mass of your property in square feet so that you can accurately determine the amount of sod needed to cover it. A standard 2 ft. x 5 ft. roll of sod covers 10 square feet of land and the amount of sod on a pallet covers about 450 square feet. Calculate how much sod is needed based on the size of the land that’s going to be covered. Also consider purchasing one or two additional rolls of sod in case one of them is damaged during the installation process.
Clear the Area and Remove the Old Sod
Before you can even think about installing the new sod, you need to remove all of the old sod and clean up any debris left behind. Failing to do so can lead to a lot of future lawn maintenance issues including fungus growth. Plus, leaving the old sod in makes it a lot harder to manage the soil and the new sod will have a much harder time taking root. Depending on the size of your property, renting a rotary tiller for grass removal might be a lot easier than doing it manually. Once you’re done tilling, rake the soil to smooth out lumps and remove sticks and other debris.
Keep the Soil Moist
For optimal functionality and germination, it’s important to dampen the underlying soil before laying down the new sod on top. If the soil is dry, then the new sod won’t be able to take root, which will cause the roots of the new grass to dry out and die as well. At this stage, you might also want to consider adding in new soil and grading it if the existing dirt is lacking the necessary nutrients. Composting with animal manure or other organic matter can also add nutrients to your soil and make for an excellent foundation for your new grass.
Begin Laying Strips of New Sod
After you’ve ensured that the soil is healthy enough to sustain the new grass, then you can start laying the strips of sod down. It’s best to begin from the edges of the property and work your way in. Be sure to tuck in the edges of the squares of sod to secure them in place. Like the soil, it’s important to dampen the sod as you lay it down. This will allow it to take root quicker.
Stagger the Sod in a Brick Formation
There are two important reasons for doing this. First, it looks better aesthetically than laying the sod in a straight pattern. Secondly, this pattern facilitates water runoff on your property. Position the seams of the sod so that they create a clear pathway for water to be deposited in your drainage system.
Landscape Maintenance for New Sod
At FOREVER GREEN LAWN AND LANDSCAPE INC., we recommend watering your new lawn at least three times a day in short spurts to keep it happy and healthy. If you need assistance with installing new sod for your commercial or residential property, our lawn and landscape maintenance team can help! Contact us today!
