Installing Sod is a straightforward process. But to be clear, sod is defined as: grass and the part of the soil beneath it held together by its roots or another piece of thin material. To review the question, “how to sod grass?” should be “how to install sod or how to install sod grass.” When installing sod, there are a few factors to consider when planning and installing sod.
If your lawn is not growing green, has large areas of weak growth or you have a large infestation of weeds, laying sod is the easy way to a quick lawn fix. Be aware that sod installation is rather labor intensive and might worth paying a landscaping company to do the sod installation for you.
The city of McKinney has long enjoyed the sod installation services provided by JC’s Landscaping, as well as many other communities in the D/FW area.
The prices and cost vary, but expect to pay at least .50 cents a square foot for sod you install yourself. That comes out to $500 for a 1,000-square-foot lawn area.
Starting Off
Clear out or remove the grass you are replacing. Tilling the soil and removing the old grass will take some time. When you have cleared out the grass, give your landscape another look for debris and sprinkler heads. Rake over the area to remove rocks and unwanted debris.
Measure the entire area you’ll be installing the sod to. Using specific measurements so that you don’t pay for more sod than you will need. Order 5 percent extra over the measured area so you’ll have enough sod to cut and fit around curves. Sod can be purchased through a garden center or directly from a sod farm. You should ask detailed questions about your lawn including:
- Hardiness zone
- Sunlight vs. shade
- Foot Traffic
- Type of Soil
The sod should be delivered up to 24 hours after being cut and transported. Water your soils to where it is moist, but not wet.
Unroll Turf
Start laying turf along a straight edge, such as a patio, a fence, flower bed or driveway. Work with whole pieces, laying them one at a time, end to end. Avoid walking on the sod as you lay it, and rake out any footprints you make in soil as you go. Smooth out any wrinkles in the sod and pat sod carefully into place to avoid air pockets.
Watering
Newly installed sod has very important and specific watering needs. Watering immediately after installation will ensure the turf gets established, and it will also have an impact on how well the lawn continues to flourish for years to come.
Also different grass types require different amounts of watering…
When To Water New Sod
Begin watering new turfgrass sod within a half hour after it is laid on the soil. Apply at least 2 to 3 cm. (1 inch) of water so that the soil beneath the turf is very wet. Ideally, the soil 7 to 10 cm. (3 to 4 inches) below the surface should be moist.
- First 2 Weeks After Sod Installation: Water every day, keep the soil moist
- 3rd Week After Sod Installation: Water every other day for 1 week
- After 3 Weeks go to a Normal Watering Schedule of 1 inch per week
