One person can place pieces of sod in a wheelbarrow and roll them to the work area. Unroll one piece at a time, end to end, and avoid walking on pieces of sod as you're laying new ones down. With some careful digging, you can install the patches at ground level so that they’ll never show. To install sod on an existing lawn, cut any existing grass low, and level out any holes or step dips in the yard. And there you have it! The top.5 inches (1.3 cm) of soil should be loose enough that when you walk across the soil your feet leave.5 in (1.3 cm) footprints. This is key to not having weeds growing up between your sod strips while the lawn is establishing. So, in theory, it makes sense to simply mow your lawn short and lay new sod right over the existing lawn. Dig about ¾ of an inch down, and apply a fresh layer of compost or peat moss to provide the new sod with added nutrients. Lay sod over the area, making sure to butt the pieces tightly together. Turf likes to sit on a nutrient rich, well-aerated base. 4. How Not to Sod- Beginner Mistakes Out on The Job. Height: If you place a patch of sod directly on your lawn, it will be higher than the surrounding soil, and not only will it show, but it will dry out faster than the rest of the lawn. For the next row, place a roll a couple of inches away from the previous roll. In just a few simple steps, you can have that damaged patch of your lawn looking good as new. Then start laying other strips pushing the edges tightly together, but taking care that they don't overlap. On your lightly moistened soil, lay your sod pieces with the edges butted tightly together, in a staggered brick like pattern. Remove the top layer of soil, digging down about 2 inches if possible. Water the sod twice a … Use your shovel to cut down through the new sod and the existing grass below at the same time. Prepare the damaged area by removing all dead grass and 1" to 2" of soil 3/4" past the edge of the dead grass. Keep these other points in mind when installing sod in winter: Sod left outside overnight might freeze in cold weather! 8. Laying sod is hard work, so it’s no wonder why people are always hunting for a shortcut when they’re installing a fresh lawn. This will give you a patch that exactly matches the size and shape of the hole below. Now you can take on more renovation projects with more know-how. Before laying your new sod, use a hoe and rake to remove any remaining dead grass from the damaged area. So you won't have to cut the sod in odd shapes, remove the dead grass so that the prepared area forms a square. If you plant sod, cut a piece the size of the patch and lay it in. Cut the edges of the area straight. Yes, the sod installation process is as easy as it sounds. Water the new patch until the soil under the sod is wet, but not saturated. Do not overlap or leave gaps. Spread 2 inches of finished compost (this may be available for free if your town has a municipal compost center). 5 Water the soil before you lay down the sod. This person can also lay the pieces of sod on the soil. Give your lawn a fresh look by laying sod to cover dead spots. Once the sod and soil are thoroughly mixed, add the topsoil and nutrients (lime or … Use a good-quality topsoil or compost to provide a rich bed on which to lay the sod. This is done to provide enough moisture to make the sod root quickly and aid the soil to settle. But growing a whole new lawn isn’t the only reason to use sod. Autumn is an excellent time to lay sod, since the grass will have a month or so to take hold before winter’s cold halts growth for the season. Sod is best laid in rows beginning along a straight edge like the side of a driveway or sidewalk, with the sod pieces butting up tightly against edges and each other. It’s always better to have extra material, rather than not enough. Unroll it and slide it up against the first roll. Start unrolling sod along a straight edge in your lawn. As you continue, lay in straight lines, but stagger the short ends in a brick-like pattern so you don’t have one long seam. Learn how to prepare soil for sod and measure the space, along with sod care tips to make sure your lawn thrives. Once you’re done laying the sod, just follow our new sod care guidelines until it’s matured and firmly rooted in the soil. Before you lay your new sod, use a sod cutter or sharp utility knife to cut the sod to fit the space. Press the sod down so that it’s level with the rest of your lawn, and then water it thoroughly. The new way to renovate your old lawn is by laying sod. Before we jump right in, let’s see the tools and materials needed. Maybe you had a guest drive across your lawn and tear up the turf adjacent to your driveway. Be sure to stagger the joints between courses of sod. The first step when laying sod is to prepare the soil. Laying sod is such a fast way to start new grass that it is almost no exaggeration to say it gives you an "instant lawn. After you’ve laid the first row, smooth out any areas that have wrinkled or bunched up, but be careful not to step on it. 4 Unroll the first piece of sod. "Of course, there is usually a fair amount of prep work involved, depending on the situation, and the sod must be watered and monitored carefully until it is established. Sod is a good choice over grass seed because once you’ve patched a lawn with sod that’s rooted and grown for a short time, it’s difficult to tell where the patching occurred. Don’t lay down sod on dry soil or it won’t attach properly. Avoid walking on the sod as you lay it, and rake out any footprints you make in soil as you go. 6 Steps To Lay Sod Yourself (With Pictures) Turn under the old sod with a gas-powered rotary tiller. Rake slightly past the edges of the damaged area if necessary to form an even rectangular patch of soil for the sod to rest on. If the sod seems higher than the surrounding lawn, remove a little soil out of the patch, smooth and try again. Day at Work Building a Yard Once you’ve cut the sod to the appropriate size, lay it on the soil and “knit” the edges of the sod to the adjacent grass by folding and pressing them together. Then, carefully pat the patch into the ground with a shovel to remove any air pockets and encourage the sod to take root. And if you have a tall stack of sod, it’s a good idea to rotate the pieces when watering so even the bottom pieces get a good watering if it’s going to be days before you lay the sod. All the homeowners can easily install the sod. You can use smaller pieces of sod to repair unsightly damage to your lawn as well. Work to smooth out any wrinkles in the sod. Bring in a top soil/ compost mix and spread it evenly through the yard. This way, you can get an “instant lawn” in just a few days. It is best to install the same day you receive it, or at least tarp the unused sod to prevent the cold wind from freezing it. Pack the sod into place and make sure there aren't air pockets between the sod and soil. This does not harm the plant but might make it hard to unroll. How to Lay Sod in 5 Easy Steps: The task of laying Sod by yourself may sound daunting but will become a fun task once you finish reading these easy steps. Measure the area of the damaged section of lawn, and plan to purchase a piece of sod about 1/3 larger than that area. Start laying turf along a straight edge, such as a patio, a fence, flower bed or driveway. Put a little organic matter around the edges to prevent them from drying out and water. Lay the sod now by beginning it … We’re helping doers in their home improvement projects. Apply a liberal amount of fertilizer to the soil to provide it with nutrients immediately before laying the sod. Be sure to order a species of sod that’s similar, if not identical to the grass that’s already in your lawn. A soil testing kit … Lay sod tight together or backfill all gaps and spaces with soil. When we discuss the virtues of sod, we typically talk about how easy and affordable it is to use to quickly establish an entirely new lawn. Spread 2 inches (5.1 cm) of topsoil or compost and other amendments over the soil. 7. How to Prepare Your Soil for Sod Loosen the top 6 to 8 inches of soil with a rototiller. It’s a good time to be a doer. Press the sod down so that it’s level with the rest of your lawn, and then water it thoroughly. Using a shovel, cut a patch of the sod to fit the bald spot in your lawn. Finally, water the area, and then tamp it down to ensure the soil is level with the rest of your lawn. Or maybe you’ve got a new puppy who decided to practice digging in the back yard. prior to your grass delivery. You need to treat the new patch just like a new lawn and that means watering at least once a day (more in hot weather) until the grass is established. Prepare the Soil. Merge the edges of the sod with the surrounding grass by pressing it with your hands. Here's How You Lay The Sod: You should start laying strips beside the longest patch on the plot, usually next to the driveway, sidewalk, fence, or the side of the house. Unroll the sod next to a straight side. Water it daily for a couple of weeks and it will blend invisibly into your lawn. Here’s how to cut out damaged grass and cut a sod patch that fits perfectly in its place: Lay a piece of sod over the bad spot and slice through both the sod and the damaged turf below with a sharp spade. Lay the rolls out in a brick-wall pattern, staggering the cuts and leaving no gaps (but don’t overlap the edges.) From the preparation of the soil to the grown grass, the whole process only takes 2-3 weeks to lay sod. 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