Now that you've decided on the type of turf grass you wish to use, we'll discuss the steps needed for sod installation. If you haven't yet decided on the type of grass needed, you can find a complete listing of the varieties we grow here.

Get soil testing information from your local county extension office. The soil test will help you determine the nutritional status of your soil. Also it will help you determine what fertilizers or soil amendments are needed to ensure a healthy, mature lawn in your area and the time before sod installation is best for making these changes.

Kill all grass and weeds in preexisting lawn with a non-selective herbicide. After all weeds are dead roto-till the soil to ensure good sod to soil contact. After tilling, begin soil work to eliminate drainage problems (slope away from house, garage) and low areas in your lawn. Ideally, preexisting grass and weeds should be cleared 7-10 days before sodding, and newly sprouted weeds should be removed prior to laying sod.

Add organic matter and topsoil, as needed. Disk or roto-till one inch of organic matter into the top four inches of soil. If soil is hardpan or caliche, 2-4 inches of topsoil should be spread evenly over the soil.

Add fertilizer, as determined by a soil test. Or use a starter formula of equal parts Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium.

Grade soil for drainage. A decline of 6 inches every 45-50 surface feet is adequate. Rake and smooth the area, removing rocks and large soil clumps.^†

As a rule, a person can lay about 50 square yards per hour. Many customers have lawn parties to make the job easier and faster. Special tools are not needed to cut the sod. If you don't have the time to lay the sod yourself, call us to recommend a landscaper to do the job.

Install your sod immediately when delivered. Begin installing sod along a driveway or sidewalk and work inward on your lawn to avoid walking on the fresh laid sod. Push edges together tightly without stretching. Be sure to stagger the joints of the sod in a brick-like (running bond) pattern to avoid continuous seams and use a sharp knife, spade or machette to trim edges of sod to fit the landscape.

Always place sod across steep slopes and stake in place if needed. Do not place small pieces of sod along outside edges, because they will dry out and die. Begin watering sod within 30 minutes of installation. In hot weather, place unused sod in the shade and keep it moist until it is laid in the landscape.

After a light watering, roll the sod with a roller, ½ full of water, to ensure good sod to soil contact.

Taking good care of your sod after it has been installed is absolutely vital to a plush, green lawn. Follow the link below for more information on the maintenance of your new lawn.

Post-installation maintenance of your lawn.