Sod Grass Installation: A Step-By-Step Guide
You may have many reasons for installing new sod grass on your property. Examples could include beautifying the property, improving its surface for specific usages (such as athletics), and conserving resources (as some types of grass require less watering than others).
New sod grass can also be a smart investment, as it may boost your property’s curb appeal. Strong curb appeal can attract customers to a business. According to a study from the University of Texas at Arlington, it can also boost a home’s value.
Ensure you thoroughly understand the process of installing sod grass before getting started on a project like this. Sod grass installation involves the following steps:
Research Your Options
Installing sod grass properly is important. However, if you install the wrong variety of grass, you’ll have wasted your time, money, and effort. Avoid this by thoroughly researching your options to find a variety that suits your needs.
Factors to consider when choosing sod grass include:
- Whether a variety of sod grass thrives in your climate
- The impact of the grass on your property’s curb appeal
- How durable the grass is and how you use your property
- How much maintenance your grass needs
You don’t have to choose a variety of sod grass alone. Suppliers can help you better understand the pros and cons of your options.
Measure the Area
You may already know the square footage of the area in which you’ll lay sod. Skip this step if so. If you don’t have this information on hand, you may have to measure the square footage.
Prep the Area
Prepping the area involves such steps as:
- First, eradicate your existing lawn with a herbicide, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Thoroughly removing old sod
- Removing weeds and any other leftover vegetation
- Leveling the soil and applying compost or a similar product and leaving it in place for a certain period of time according to the manufacturer’s instructions
- Dampening the soil in preparation for the new sod
Don’t make the mistake of trying to lay new sod over an existing sod or turf surface. You’ll only kill both your old grass and new sod in the process.
Lay the Sod
After watering an area of soil, you can lay a sod layer on it. Make sure the soil beneath is smooth. Rake away any footprints in the soil before laying the sod.
It’s best to start on the farthest edge, and work toward the closest edge, this way you are not walking over the top of the new sod you just laid. Make sure the sod is flush with the adjacent surface (such as concrete) and try to lay sod evenly so there are no gaps.
Tip: Lay sod vertically over any sloped areas of your property. Laying sod vertically instead of horizontally on slopes can boost water retention.
Check the Area
Check for gaps once you’ve installed sod across the entire area. If you find any gaps, use utility shears to cut out smaller pieces of sod that you can install to fill these gaps. In addition, check the edges, using a box cutter to straighten any that need it.
Practice Necessary Upkeep
Remember, learning about the upkeep and maintenance needs of a variety of sod before installing it is important. Adhere to a proper maintenance schedule to ensure your new sod grass stays in good condition for as long as possible.
If you need extra advice, be sure to ask questions of your sod grass suppliers. Their expertise can play a critical role in helping you feel confident you’ll install your sod properly.
Purchase Sod Grass for Your Property Now
At Evergreen Turf, in Chandler, Arizona, we offer numerous varieties of sod for both residential and commercial properties. Learn more about what we have to offer by contacting us online today.