Installing sod is not as difficult as you might assume. A little bit of planning combined with sweat equity will yield gorgeous new sod.
This is your guide to installing new sod. Print out this helpful list of installation steps and refer to it throughout the project to achieve the perfect balance of function and form.
How to Install Sod Like a Pro: Step-by-Step Guide for Colorado Homeowners
Ideally, you will start the preparatory phase two weeks prior to laying new sod. The best time to lay sod is a day when the weather will be calm.
Be sure to measure your yard prior to purchasing sod so you have enough to cover your property.
The foundation below your sod shapes its outcome in the short-term and across posterity.
The proper nutrients are necessary for a quality root system. Add starter fertilizer to the dirt prior to placing sod.
Be sure to check the fertilizer label for directions. Don proper safety equipment when preparing your land for new sod, ensuring any potential chemicals in the fertilizer don’t harm your health.
If you spot any debris, branches, stones, rocks, or tree stumps, remove them before sod installation.
Choose fresh sod for installation. The project should start in the morning and wrap up before nightfall. Start by dampening the soil with a light watering.
Unroll the sod with the assistance of a family member or friend. Adhere to the line of the fence, driveway, or patio to ensure the sod edges are even and straight.
If you notice any bunching or wrinkling after laying the initial roll, smooth them out. Pat down each newly installed patch using a shovel to guarantee air pockets are eliminated. This careful approach ensures sod can take root.
If your lawn is especially spacious, you will find it is easier to smooth it out using a roller. This strategic approach guarantees the sod bonds to the soil below for firm footing. The best approach to rolling sod is to roll in one direction then roll over the space in a perpendicular direction for optimal compactness.
If you don’t own a roller, use plywood to apply pressure to the sod. Walk atop the wood to ensure the sod moves evenly into the surface of the soil. Moreover, if a significant amount of rain fell amidst installation, it is a mistake to use a roller. Moistened ground accepts sod with ease.
Be mindful of the spacing of sod when laying it. Cut sod pieces with a utility knife for a proper fit. Each piece of sod should be flush with the next for continuity.
Freshly laid sod should be watered right away. Ideally, you will water your new sod as you lay it. At worst, the sod should be watered within half an hour or less after being unrolled.
After laying sod, avoid it to the best of your ability. Do not walk on its surface immediately after you do so to ensure it has time to settle.
You can double check to ensure your sod is making solid contact by lightly lifting a corner.
The ground beneath the sod should be sufficiently moist following the watering process.If it does not rain in the ensuing days, water the sod daily across that period.
Once a week passes, you can decrease your watering schedule frequency. Unless it rains, the sod should be watered every other day after the first week.
Maintain a schedule of watering two times per week following the sod taking root. It is at this point that the magic starts: watching your new sod grow.
There’s no need to trim your sod until it has grown to three inches in height. Instead of using a traditional lawn mower, opt for a push mower. Old-fashioned push-style mowers are ideal as newly installed sod patches are fragile.
Add more fertilizer to your lawn after the initial mow. Fertilization provides the soil with fresh nutrients necessary for healthy growth.
Our sod headquarters is your one-stop destination for front and backyard perfection.
Check out our sod inventory, shop our online store and take advantage of our services. Better yet, give us a call at (303) 798-6764 or contact us online to learn more.
Improve your garden’s health and appearance by learning more about topsoil delivery options and expert tips.
Discover the best sod types for Colorado lawns and their unique benefits with expert local advice
©2023 Green Valley Turf Company
