What should you put under sod?

Lay fresh topsoil if needed. Add lawn fertilizer or lime to the ground, depending on the pH of your soil. This makes your property healthy and ready to receive the new sod.

What should you put down before sod?

What is the best base for laying sod?

Black loam provides an abundance of water and nutrients to the soil which is extremely important for their health. It provides better drainage that clay-rich soil, which is why it's commonly used to prepare the soil for sodding. It consists of 95% pure black loam and 5% peat moss.

Do I need to put topsoil down before sod?

Adding topsoil is not essential for sod but it will provide some benefits. What topsoil does is increases a soil's water and nutrient holding capacity, so if you do add it, the intervals between watering and fertilizing will be longer.

What do you put down after laying sod?

Begin watering newly laid sod within 30 minutes of installation. Apply at least 1” of water so that the soil beneath the turf is wet. Ideally 3”-4” of soil beneath the surface should be moist. Turf is a living plant that requires ground contact and moisture to survive.

Laying Sod

Should you put anything on new sod?

Should I fertilize new sod? Absolutely! New lawns thrive with the application of quality fertilizer, which works to help create and maintain a sustainable root system that will keep your yard lush for years to come.

How long does it take for sod to take root?

It can take up to six weeks for the sod to develop a deep root system. As the sod develops its shallow root system and moves on to develop a deeper root system, it's critical to increase the amount of time between waterings to encourage roots to grow deeper in search of moisture without stressing the lawn.

Is it better to seed or lay sod?

The most significant difference between seeding and sodding is the time it takes to develop a mature grass stand. Sodding is quicker; it's simply transplanting mature grass. Seeding establishes grass from an earlier stage.

Is sand a good base for sod?

Sandy soil can lose nutrients quickly due to its inherent problems with water retention. As water runs quickly out of the soil, it pulls essential nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus out with it. Soil lacking in these key nutrients won't be able to adequately feed new sod for long.

Can you lay sod on hard dirt?

Laying the sod is the easy part; getting the soil ready so it can keep your sod healthy takes much longer. When your yard is covered in hard dirt, the sod isn't likely to thrive, although it might not die. Instead, loosen and prepare the dirt so your sod can establish quickly and provide you with a lush, full lawn.

When should you not lay sod?

You can lay sod anytime during the growing season, as long as the ground is not frozen and you have adequate water for establishment and maintenance, although spring and early autumn are best.

How deep should topsoil be for sod?

Identify the areas of your lawn that you want to sod and begin by removing all weeds, rocks, and debris. Work the soil up to a depth of 6 inches, taking care to break up any clumps or clods you encounter. Once the soil is properly aerated, mix in a high quality top soil.

How long will sod last before laying?

Technically, cut sod will last about 36 hours in the summer and about 72 hours in the winter. But get it installed ASAP, please. The sooner your fresh sod goes from the farm to your soil, the better, so it doesn't dry out. The same day is best.

Do I need to fertilize before laying sod?

TIPS FOR LAYING SOD | BE SURE TO FERTILIZE FIRST!

Apply a Starter Fertilizer first, before laying down the sod. You would also want to include an application of Gypsum, which will loosen the existing ground and encourage a healthier root system.

Why do people put sand on sod?

Basically, the only reasons to apply a layer of soil or sand to a lawn are to fill in low areas or bare areas, as a method of dealing with an identified thatch problem or possibly to cover surface tree roots. Topdressing your lawn with sand on a regular basis is not a recommended practice.

Is sand or dirt better for grass?

What is this? Sand: By far the most popular top dressing material for your lawn. It works best when your lawn is sandy or loamy. But even if you have clay soil, sand can improve the drainage and aeration of the lawn and improve the growth of the grass.

Is sod worth the money?

Sod – Simply put, sod is the most expensive option because you are essentially paying someone else for time and materials of growing the grass. And, it is dramatically more expensive than seed. If money is no problem, sod may be the winning choice for reasons you'll see below.

Will sod grow on top of weeds?

If you currently have weeds, they can grow through the new sod. And the ground cannot be too hard, or the roots will not penetrate, even if the roots are touching dirt / soil. This is true whether there is existing sod or not; this is extremely important either way.

How long does sod last?

Sod ordered in winter will last for up to a week on the pallet, but if you are installing in the hot summer it will only last for 24 hours or less. Watering the sod while still on the pallet will not help. The heat of decomposition is what will make the sod turn bad, not a lack of moisture.

Can you walk on sod right away?

If you walk on your sod before its roots have established, you're lessening your chances of success. How long must you wait to use your new sod lawn? The general recommendation is to wait two weeks – but the number of days you wait is really dependent on determining that the lawn has, indeed, taken root.

How often should I water sod first?

Water your new sod at least three times a day the first two weeks for at least 15 to 20 minutes in every area of your lawn. That time is, however, dependent on how much water your sprinkler emits. You can irrigate fewer times if the temperatures are not high and it is not sunny.

Can you water new sod too much?

Overwatering new sod will prevent the roots of the sod from getting the oxygen they need to thrive. If you are planting new sod in warm weather, overwatering can also lead to disease. One way to tell if your sod is being overwatered is to check the bottom of the soil a few minutes after watering.

Is it OK to water new sod at night?

For the first week after installation, apply a quarter-inch of water twice daily. Water first in the early morning, between 4 and 10 a.m., then again in the late afternoon or early evening. This consistent hydration will help the grass produce new feeder roots, making for a stronger and more resilient lawn.

How long does it take to install 500 sq ft of sod?

How long does it take to install sod? Installing 1 pallet, which is 500 sq ft., generally takes 1 person approximately 1-1 ½ hours. Hard to access areas and those requiring a lot of cutting will take longer.

Can you sit sod overnight?

Sod is a perishable product, so we recommend you lay it the same day it's been cut. If you aren't using it right away, make sure you don't let it sit longer than 24 hours or overnight, and keep it as cool as possible by placing it in the shade.