How to Lay Sod

Step One: Prepare The Ground

We must begin with the proper ground preparation. Always weed your lawn and thoroughly turn over the ground to free old roots and debris from the area. Your lawn should be tilled, prepped, and ready before the sodding begins. It as always good to water the ground a few days before installation so that the soil is moist, but not so much that it becomes soggy.

Step Three: Begin Sodding

Start laying sod in a straight line, such as by the sidewalk. This way, you will be able to make the pieces more even as you go. While laying pieces in a row, firmly push the end together so that space between pieces is barely visible. Later, these pieces will grow together more firmly, but for now you want to avoid cracks.

With rectangular sod, it is relatively easy to lay two or three rows at a time while keeping each row staggered so that the joints are at different locations in the row next to it. If you are using rolls, place the new joint against the piece in place and then roll, using a knife to cut oddly shaped pieces so that they can fit around curves and other obstacles. Try not to walk on the newly laid pieces right away.

Step Five: Maintenance and Long Term Care

Your new sod area should be watered thrice daily unless there is heavy rainfall occurring for the first week after sodding. After the first week, begin to stretch out the time between watering so that the roots will stretch downward in search of moisture in the soil. When you do water your lawn, make sure you water heavily and thoroughly.

You may consider applying sod fertilizer in intervals and mow the lawn regularly. It is good to wait about a month before you mow your fresh lawn. A week after planting your new lawn you may want to take care of the cracks that will inevitably show in your rolled sod by filling these areas with dirt from a wheelbarrow. This will ensure steady growth later on.