With spring right around the corner, you may be thinking that it’s time to do something about that dirt yard. Laying sod the correct way is essential if you want a healthy lawn. Most homeowners will want to hire a professional landscaper to lay the sod, but it’s a job many homeowners can handle themselves if they have the time and inclination.
Tip 1: Measure Before You Order
You don’t want to end up with too much or too little sod to do the job. Draw a sketch of your lawn and measure the areas you want to fill. Multiply the length by width of each space and divide by 9 in order to convert the number to square yards. That is the amount of sod you need to order.
Tip 2: Prepare Your Soil
While you’re waiting for your sod to be delivered, make sure the soil is level by grading or raking it, sloping away from the foundations of the house. Fill in any low spots with top soil.
Tip 3: Installation
Place the sod as soon as it’s delivered by laying it in a straight line, such as along a sidewalk. Push the edges together as tightly as possible – sod shrinks as it dries. Form the next row by staggering the joints, like bricks. When it has all been installed, you can use a roller to make sure the sod has good contact with the soil and to reduce the appearance of the seams.
Tip 4: Water!
You’ll want to water within thirty minutes of delivery, to keep the sod from shriveling and dying. It should be watered daily for two weeks, to give it time to root itself. After that, weather conditions in your area will indicate how much you should water.
Tip 5: Mowing
Your sod has rooted when it becomes obvious that it needs mowing. Be careful not to cut it too short the first time, or it could dry out. Also be careful when going over seams. Eventually, you’ll be able to trim it to an ideal height of 1.5 inches.
