Sod: How to install sod
May/14/2021 513Learn more about how to install sod in your home.
Whether you have just moved into a new home or looking to improve your current yard, sod is a great option. There are many benefits to installing sod vs throwing down grass seed. One of the benefits to sod is that you get an instant lawn. A seed yard can take up to 18 months to come in. Sod is usually ready for heavy activity after just two weeks. Sod also requires less irrigation, which means a lower water bill. Seeding a lawn requires that you water your lawn four or more times a day. Sod requires about two waterings a day. Sod also leads to a full lawn, no patches or bald spots to worry about.Installing sod in your yard.
If you enjoy getting your hands dirty, you can install sod yourself, but it won’t be an easy process It can take about two to four hours to install sod, but that does not include prepping your lawn which can take weeks.
You will need the following tools and materials to lay down sod:
- Grass shears
- Push lawn mower
- Till
- Long tape measurer
- Utility knives
- Lawn roller
- Topsoil
- Fertilizer
- Sod
- Landscaping rake
- Shovel
- Measuring wheel
Next, you will need to select the sod type you want: strips or slabs. When ordering sod, it’s a good idea to order a little extra to make sure you have enough.
Plant your sod when there is no rain in the forecast. Get the ground ready for the sod by killing all weeds and plant life.
Once herbicide has been used to kill plant life, you will lay compost on the lawn and let it sit for a few weeks. This will suppress growth in your soil. Once all plant life is dead, you will need to till and rake the ground. Make sure the dirt is at least 6 inches deep, so that your sod can root deeply. You will need a soil test kit to make sure the pH and mineral levels are ideal for your sod. You may need to lay topsoil or lawn fertilizer depending on the pH of your soil. It’s very important that your ground is level.
On installation day, you will roll the sod out. This is typically a two-person job. Watering is vital. Make sure to water your sod is you unroll it. Do not walk on the sod as you unroll it. Each piece of sod should fit closely with the other. Use scraps to fill any gaps.
You will need to make sure the sod is pressed into your soil evenly. You will need a roller to achieve this.
Sod requires watering immediately to thrive. Water your sod every day for the first week. Morning waterings are best. After the first week, you should water sod every other day.
Finding a sod contractor.
Planting sod can be very time consuming and costly when you consider all the tools you need to lay sod down properly. Furthermore, many homeowners have difficulty installing sod properly. It can cost you more to have to lay down additional sod if you don’t install it correctly. Professional sod installation can save you time and money. However, it can be difficult to find someone who will simply lay down sod. Many landscapers will only commit to large projects with a minimum spend around $15,000. Not all landscapers will lay down sod.HomeContractors101.com can help you find the right sod installer for your outdoor project. We have pros willing to take on small landscaping projects, so you don’t have to commit to a minimum spend that is outside of your budget. HomeContractors101 is easy and free to use. Simply submit your project details and get matched with landscaping contractors in your area. Try us out for free today.