Sod Installation Advice- How to Properly Lay Sod Over a Previously Grassed Lawn

You may have a traditional grass lawn that has been grown from seed, but now you’re considering sod since you’ve heard that it offers an immediate, lush, green lawn upon installation. While sod offers several benefits, it is also important that it is installed properly, especially if you’re going to install it over ground that has previously been occupied. With this helpful blog post, you’ll be able to install your sod with confidence, even if it is over previously grassed land.

Prepare the Ground & the Soil or the Sod Installation

The very first thing you’ll want to do is to remove the existing grass. Even if the area remains very sparse, it is important to ensure the land is bare and devoid of barriers. Sod needs to make direct contact with the soil to establish roots. Leaving old grass in place will create a barrier that will hamper proper rooting. You can use a sod cutter or a rototiller to remove the top 2-4 inches of existing grass and roots. Make sure to also rake away any remaining debris like rocks, sticks, or clumps of grass.

Next, you’ll want to test the soil to ensure that the pH levels are ideal, which are between 6.0 and 6.5. To amend the soil, you can add lime for acidic soil or compost if the soil is nutrient-poor. This will help you create a healthy soil for sod to grow on. Then you can loosen the soil 6-8 inches to improve aeration, grade the soil for a smooth surface that is free of holes, spread a starter fertilizer to promote root growth, and then finally lightly water the soil to create an ideal environment for your new sod. After that final step is complete, you can start the grass laying!

How to Perform Effective Sod Installation

Now that the soil has been effectively prepared, it is time for grass laying. You should start at the longest straight edge for your turf, like your driveway or sidewalk. You should lay each piece of sod tightly against the other with no overlapping or gaps present. Try to arrange the sod pieces in a brick-like pattern to avoid long seams that could cause uneven rooting. Then, you can trim the turf with a sharp knife or sod cutter to cut around sprinkler heads to make the sod fit cleanly on your lawn. Lastly, you can give it a nice watering to help kickstart your turf’s growth. For the next few weeks, try to water it, avoid walking on it, and roll it to maintain firm contact with the soil. Once the sod reaches 3 inches, you can start mowing it for the first time. Congratulations, you have successfully grown your newly installed sod!

Benefits of Going with an Expert Sod Installation Company

You can also consider hiring an expert sod installation company as well. Hiring an expert gives you access to many benefits you don’t have if you do it yourself. For one, professional sod installers understand the nuances of soil types, climate conditions, and what sod variety might be best for you. They are skilled in proper soil preparation, grading, and installation; you could learn a lot from them. They can also help save you the time and effort it requires for sod installation, which is a very labor-intensive task. Professionals also have access to premium lawn care suppliers who can supply products to ensure healthy, fresh growth for your turf. So, if you don’t have time to do your grass laying, are unsure how to install your sod, or don’t have access to advanced sod cutter technology for your lawn, the professional route is worth considering!