Tips For Laying A Sod Grass Lawn

Installing a sod yard is instant gratification. It's exciting to see your beautiful new lawn almost instantly appear.

Laying sod isn't difficult. However, there are a few steps to reduce die off and ensure successful installation.

Preparation is essential. There's no time for prep work once your sod is on location. It has to be put down immediately or it will heat up and rot.

After you've decided which type of sod grass will work best for your area, and have broken and amended the soil, make sure the area is smooth and free of all pebbles, sticks, and debris. Even small objects can be noticeable as bumps if left under new sod grass.

Directly before you place the sod on the ground, moisten the area and keep it moist as you go. Never lay sod on dry ground.

Usually, we use 1x3 strips of sod for residential areas. To insure a clean, professional look with fewer visible seams, we stagger the seams of the sod strips. See the above photo. This also helps eliminate dead dry areas.

To further eliminate dead, dry spots, install the sod strips tightly together. The sides of the strips are bare and will dry out quicker if left exposed. In the above photo, Alvin is butting two strips together and then pressing them down together. Don't overlap the strips.

Once your new sod lawn is installed, soak it down well and roll it out with a yard roller to smooth and set it. You can usually rent a yard roller at rental centers.

NOTE: I recommend that an irrigation system be in place before you lay a new sod or seed lawn. Personally, my company won't guarantee a successful lawn without an irrigation system in place.