SOD GRASS
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Laying Sod Grass
1. You simply must prepare the soil for sod. If possible the soil should be
tilled on the surface, then raked through to remove stones, sticks and debree.
2. Once you have picked out your grass, the sod will arrive at your doorstep.
It will either be piled up on pallets in squares or it will be rolled up with the soil
side out. Generally, sod strips are between 1 and 2 feet wide and 4 to 10 feet
long. When it arrives, take a look at it. The grass should be at least 2 inches
long and the color should be consistent. The soil should be dark and moist,
about one inch thick, and you should see thick healthy roots.
3. You want to get the sod down as quickly as possible. If you have to store it
make sure that it stays in the shade. It will dry out otherwise. Keep it rolled
and moistened until ready to use.
4. Now to get to work. First, lay out the first row following a predetermined
straight line. This line can be string pulled tight or even a sidewalk edge if one
is there.
5. Once the first row is unrolled, lay the next roll down making sure that the
ends of the two are together but let the end seams of the second row fall to
the center of the preceding row. You want to stagger the end seams.
6. At the end of this first row, go back and begin to lay subsequent rows in a
staggered pattern. The end seams on one row should fall in the center of the
previous row. Fill in gaps with loose soil.
7. When you find yourself on a slope, lay the sod perpendicular to the slope.
This prevents it from sliding when it is watered. If the slope is steep, use
stakes to keep the sod in place. Use 2 to 4 stakes per roll.
8. You will need to cut the sod to fit irregular spaces. You can use a
heavy-duty knife for this.
9. Once the rows are down, use a roller over the entire area. This will help to
establish solid root contact with the soil. It also helps to get rid of air pockets
which can cause the sod to dry out and die. After rolling the sod, stay off of it.
10. You will need to water the lawn often. Most problems occur because
homeowners do not water enough. You want to pay special attention to the
seams that are between the sod and any edges that may be along walkways,
driveways, or patios. These areas will dry out fast and must be watered.
Water the sod everyday for the first three weeks. After that time, you can
water every other day for the next three weeks. Then water the sod once a
week or as weather dictates.
1. You simply must prepare the soil for sod. If possible the soil should be
tilled on the surface, then raked through to remove stones, sticks and debree.
2. Once you have picked out your grass, the sod will arrive at your doorstep.
It will either be piled up on pallets in squares or it will be rolled up with the soil
side out. Generally, sod strips are between 1 and 2 feet wide and 4 to 10 feet
long. When it arrives, take a look at it. The grass should be at least 2 inches
long and the color should be consistent. The soil should be dark and moist,
about one inch thick, and you should see thick healthy roots.
3. You want to get the sod down as quickly as possible. If you have to store it
make sure that it stays in the shade. It will dry out otherwise. Keep it rolled
and moistened until ready to use.
4. Now to get to work. First, lay out the first row following a predetermined
straight line. This line can be string pulled tight or even a sidewalk edge if one
is there.
5. Once the first row is unrolled, lay the next roll down making sure that the
ends of the two are together but let the end seams of the second row fall to
the center of the preceding row. You want to stagger the end seams.
6. At the end of this first row, go back and begin to lay subsequent rows in a
staggered pattern. The end seams on one row should fall in the center of the
previous row. Fill in gaps with loose soil.
7. When you find yourself on a slope, lay the sod perpendicular to the slope.
This prevents it from sliding when it is watered. If the slope is steep, use
stakes to keep the sod in place. Use 2 to 4 stakes per roll.
8. You will need to cut the sod to fit irregular spaces. You can use a
heavy-duty knife for this.
9. Once the rows are down, use a roller over the entire area. This will help to
establish solid root contact with the soil. It also helps to get rid of air pockets
which can cause the sod to dry out and die. After rolling the sod, stay off of it.
10. You will need to water the lawn often. Most problems occur because
homeowners do not water enough. You want to pay special attention to the
seams that are between the sod and any edges that may be along walkways,
driveways, or patios. These areas will dry out fast and must be watered.
Water the sod everyday for the first three weeks. After that time, you can
water every other day for the next three weeks. Then water the sod once a
week or as weather dictates.
Sod grass comes in two different forms. As
the pictures above show, one form is precut
squares that are laid out in a checkerboard
pattern, just as you would a tile floor.
The other form is that of being provided in a
roll. While this form is heavier than the
individual squares, this is a much faster
method.
the pictures above show, one form is precut
squares that are laid out in a checkerboard
pattern, just as you would a tile floor.
The other form is that of being provided in a
roll. While this form is heavier than the
individual squares, this is a much faster
method.
Lawn Articles;
I thought I would offer my own experience from with laying
sod grass, both the square form as well as the roll form.
The first thing is to decide if you would rather have the roll
or square forms of sod. The roll form is the way to go if
you have large areas of coverage. The only special
requirement to using the roll form, is you need a rather
strong back, as these rolls are pretty heavy.
Nevertheless, the rolls are a huge time saver. Each form
of sod can be delivered right to your home, and will be
dropped off on pallets. The sod can be purchased from
local nurseries or in some cases farmers markets.
If the area you need to cover is smaller then you would
most likely rather use the square forms. These are much
lighter, and generally easier to handle. You do want to
take care that you stagger the squares in the same way
you see tile is laid. This prevents straight lines from
standing out.
The preparation for each is the same. Ideally you would
like to till the ground with an automatic tiller. If the soil is of
poor quality, then you should till in supplements and or
compost. After tilling, the top coat should be raked to pull
out all stones, sticks, roots or leaves. The end result
should be a powdery matrix. If tilling is too much for you to
handle, then a vigorous raking of the top layer should be
done to loosen the top layer of soil.
After the prep work, simply lay the sod out to cover all
areas. The sod is easily trimmed around corners or
curbs. I strongly suggest that you rent a roller from your
local tool rental company. The roller can be filled with
water to give it weight. Roll over the sod, which pushes
the roots of the sod into the soil. This is a very important
step, which serves to push the roots into deep contact
with the soil, and removes all air pockets.
Next, water the sod deeply, and continue to water each
day for 2 weeks. The sods roots will actually begin
growing immediately, and within one week roots should
be moving well into the base soil. Following two weeks,
fertilizer can then be applied and watered in deeply. It is
crucial that you do not apply any per-emergent (weed
killers) for at least 8 weeks after planting. Weeds should
not be a problem initially since the sod will be very thick
and weed free from the sod farm.
A couple of notes to keep in mind for this project; be
aware as you pull off each square or roll of sod, as I have
more than once found the interior of the pallet to contain a
fire ant nest. This is especially problematic as we all
know fire ants tend to wait until you are covered with ants
before they begin biting you. I have also heard of small
snakes being found. Just keep in mind to be watchful and
aware with each piece of sod you handle. Another
important point that I highly recommend is to wear safety
glasses or goggles. This may sound extremely over
protective, but I assure you it is not. With each piece of
sod you handle, you will be flipping it and swinging it, and
without fail you will sling dirt into your eyes; not just once,
but repeatedly.
Following these instructions will give you the green lawn
you have been wanting; and much faster than seeding.
sod grass, both the square form as well as the roll form.
The first thing is to decide if you would rather have the roll
or square forms of sod. The roll form is the way to go if
you have large areas of coverage. The only special
requirement to using the roll form, is you need a rather
strong back, as these rolls are pretty heavy.
Nevertheless, the rolls are a huge time saver. Each form
of sod can be delivered right to your home, and will be
dropped off on pallets. The sod can be purchased from
local nurseries or in some cases farmers markets.
If the area you need to cover is smaller then you would
most likely rather use the square forms. These are much
lighter, and generally easier to handle. You do want to
take care that you stagger the squares in the same way
you see tile is laid. This prevents straight lines from
standing out.
The preparation for each is the same. Ideally you would
like to till the ground with an automatic tiller. If the soil is of
poor quality, then you should till in supplements and or
compost. After tilling, the top coat should be raked to pull
out all stones, sticks, roots or leaves. The end result
should be a powdery matrix. If tilling is too much for you to
handle, then a vigorous raking of the top layer should be
done to loosen the top layer of soil.
After the prep work, simply lay the sod out to cover all
areas. The sod is easily trimmed around corners or
curbs. I strongly suggest that you rent a roller from your
local tool rental company. The roller can be filled with
water to give it weight. Roll over the sod, which pushes
the roots of the sod into the soil. This is a very important
step, which serves to push the roots into deep contact
with the soil, and removes all air pockets.
Next, water the sod deeply, and continue to water each
day for 2 weeks. The sods roots will actually begin
growing immediately, and within one week roots should
be moving well into the base soil. Following two weeks,
fertilizer can then be applied and watered in deeply. It is
crucial that you do not apply any per-emergent (weed
killers) for at least 8 weeks after planting. Weeds should
not be a problem initially since the sod will be very thick
and weed free from the sod farm.
A couple of notes to keep in mind for this project; be
aware as you pull off each square or roll of sod, as I have
more than once found the interior of the pallet to contain a
fire ant nest. This is especially problematic as we all
know fire ants tend to wait until you are covered with ants
before they begin biting you. I have also heard of small
snakes being found. Just keep in mind to be watchful and
aware with each piece of sod you handle. Another
important point that I highly recommend is to wear safety
glasses or goggles. This may sound extremely over
protective, but I assure you it is not. With each piece of
sod you handle, you will be flipping it and swinging it, and
without fail you will sling dirt into your eyes; not just once,
but repeatedly.
Following these instructions will give you the green lawn
you have been wanting; and much faster than seeding.
| These are the tools you will need to lay your sod down. |
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Sod Grass rolls, or Sod Grass squares can be purchased from
local nurseries, farmers markets, directly from sod farms, and
some home improvement stores. Arrangements will be made to
deliver your sod, and it will be dropped off on 4 x 4 pallets,
around 5 feet high.
Determining how much Sod Grass you will need, is easily
figured out by simply multiplying the length by width of the
total area in feet. This will provide you the total square footage
required. Then if needed, simply subtract the square footage of
any areas inside this (such as pine straw islands) from the total
square footage.
When you purchase the Sod Grass, you simply tell them the
required square footage needed. They will then tell you how many
pallets you need to order.
Dont forget to make arrangements for the tools you will require
(see right images).
As an extra note; If you require the laying of Sod Grass on steep
hills, you will also need "Sod Staples" which are "U" shaped wires
that you push through the Sod Grass. This will prevent the sod
from slipping out of position during hard rains withing the first
two weeks.
local nurseries, farmers markets, directly from sod farms, and
some home improvement stores. Arrangements will be made to
deliver your sod, and it will be dropped off on 4 x 4 pallets,
around 5 feet high.
Determining how much Sod Grass you will need, is easily
figured out by simply multiplying the length by width of the
total area in feet. This will provide you the total square footage
required. Then if needed, simply subtract the square footage of
any areas inside this (such as pine straw islands) from the total
square footage.
When you purchase the Sod Grass, you simply tell them the
required square footage needed. They will then tell you how many
pallets you need to order.
Dont forget to make arrangements for the tools you will require
(see right images).
As an extra note; If you require the laying of Sod Grass on steep
hills, you will also need "Sod Staples" which are "U" shaped wires
that you push through the Sod Grass. This will prevent the sod
from slipping out of position during hard rains withing the first
two weeks.