What to Do When Laying Sod

What is sod? 

​Sod is grass that is held together by roots and a little bit of soil. This easily transportable grass can be rolled out like a carpet when it's time for installation. Sod is a wonderful invention, because it can be placed in areas where it is hard for grass to grow. Sod can also come in the form of artificial turf which is fake sod that is made to look like real grass. 

What type of sod should I choose? 

​There are several different varieties of grass. It is important to choose a grass that is best suitable for your climate. There are grasses that are best suitable for warmer weather and others that are more suitable for cooler weather. There is also transitional grass for areas of both large amounts of heat or cold. Another factor to consider when choosing the correct grass is the amount of shade your grass will be getting. 

How to lay sod:

Sadly, you cannot place sod on top of existing grass and expect it to work out perfectly. In order to lay sod properly, there is several steps you should take.

First, you should first measure the area and make sure that the soil is in good condition. The soil should be stripped of any remaining weeds or grass that is in the way. You should also make sure that your lawn is properly graded and leveled making sure to balance the soil's pH levels with sulfur or lime as needed. Additionally, layering organic material on the top of the soil can help balance the amount of water that the soil holds. After the soil has been layered, it is ready for the soil to be tilled.

Try to lay the sod in a straight line. Try using the side walk, driveway, or another straight landscape surface to help guide the placement of the sod. As you lay down sod, make sure to water it occasionally so that it does not dry out. When you reach the end of the lawn, you can cut off any overhanging or additional the sod with knife.

After the sod is laid, check to make sure that air has not been trapped underneath. A surplus of air might cause complication or cause your lawn grow improperly. Be careful not to place too much pressure on the sod when trying to remove excess air as this could result in the sod being damaged.  After you have successfully laid the sod and adjusted placement for air trapped underneath, you are now ready to start watering your grass.

Maintenance after installation: 

For the first the first few weeks, you should water your sod regularly. Maintaining a good amount of moisture in the grass is important to ensure that your lawn grows properly. It is also important not to over watering your lawn. 
After watering your new sod for the first few weeks, then you can go back to watering it on a regular like you would a normal lawn. Make sure that the amount of water is proportionate depending on the weather and other circumstances.