Being knowledgeable about the steps to laying sod is vital to placing it in your yard without any problems.
Keep reading to find out what these steps are and how you can execute them correctly.
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Measure and Purchase Sod
You’ll need to know the dimensions of the space you’re wanting to sod so you’ll know exactly how much to buy. It’s best to measure in square feet, and you can do this by renting a measuring wheel from your local hardware store. After you’ve measured you’ll need to figure out what type of sod you’d like to order. If you’ve got tough winters kentucky bluegrass may be for you, and if you live in a dryer climate drought resistant sod could be a great choice.
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Prep Your Soil
In order to prepare your soil for sod you’ll want to do the following:
- Water your yard, then spray an herbicide to kill any existing stray weeds.
- Lay down compost over the area and allow it to sit for a couple of weeks.
- Once existing plant life is gone, you’ll want to rake and till the ground to uncover any rocks and loosen the dirt. You can do this with a rake or a rototiller to hasten the process. Make sure your prepared soil runs at least six inches deep so your grass can take root.
- Test your soil with a pH kit, and lay fresh topsoil if necessary.
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Lay the Sod
It’s important that you choose a sunny day to lay your sod, as wet ground can make the process extremely difficult. Make sure that your yard is completely level so you won’t be left with any awkward bumps. Keep your sod in the shade until you’re ready to unroll it so it doesn’t dry out. Dampen the soil before you unroll your sod, and try to follow an existing straight line in your yard like a fence line or driveway. Smooth out any wrinkled areas and give the sod a good watering after it’s been properly laid.
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Fill in Gaps and Press Down Sod
One of the final steps to laying sod is to fill in any existing gaps and press the sod down. If you spot any bare patches you can cut a piece of sod to perfectly fit into the area. Trim any excessively large pieces and press the sod down with a roller to help it to bind to the soil.
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Maintain and Water Sod
After the sod has been laid you’ll want to water it daily for the first week, then you can reduce it to every other day, then twice per week after the sod has taken root.
Let Monarch Sod Get the Job Done Right
Sod installation can be very difficult and time consuming, especially if you’ve never done it before. Here at Monarch Sod we pride ourselves on knowing the steps to laying sod correctly in any conditions. Contact us today to get a free quote, and see what professional sod installation can do for your yard. We offer both residential and commercial installation of kentucky bluegrass and drought resistant sod to suit whatever your needs may be. We serve Utah and Salt Lake counties, from Salt Lake City down to Lehi, in the beautiful state of Utah.
