How to Lay Down Sod

Keep sod moist while preparing your lawn.

Laying down sod is an instant way to a new lawn. It is gratifying and can produce a beautiful lush lawn. Preparation is key when installing new sod. Take the time to do it right, so your sod establishes strong, healthy roots that produce rich green blades all growing season.

Things You'll Need

• Herbicide
• Rake
• Fertilizer
• Spreader
• Measuring tape
• Sod (measure the surface area of where you want to lay the sod to determine amount)
• Utility knife
• Lawn roller (usually can be rented from local hardware store)
• Lawn fertilizer

Instructions

1. Remove old grass from site, either manually or with a fast-acting glyphosate herbicide. When the grass has died, which can take up to seven days, clear the site of all weed and rocks as they will hinder growth.

2. Rake the dirt to make it level, then using the lawn roller, compact the dirt to level it out.

3. Load starter fertilizer into a drop spreader. Lightly apply a starter fertilizer around the site. Too much fertilizer may burn the grass, so do not to add too much.

4. Measure the area you wish to be covered to determine the amount of sod to be delivered with a measuring tape. When buying sod, check to make sure the grass is at least 2 inches long and there is a rich green color with now brown patches. The soil should be rich and moist and the roots should be dense and healthy.

5. You want to get the sod as close to when it was harvested as possible. Lay the sod as soon as delivered to avoid the grass dying.

6. Lay down the first row of sod. Make sure you tightly connect the seams. Butt the two seams together and firmly push down.

7. Stagger the next row. You will have to cut one of the sod pieces in half and use one of the halves to start the second row. Make sure the seams are butted together tightly.

8. Continue to lay the sod in the staggered pattern. Cut the sod to fit irregular spaces.

9. Once the sod is put down. Go over the area with the lawn roller to establish good root contact with soil and to eliminate air pockets.

10. Water the lawn heavily each day for three weeks, then four times a week for three weeks. Make sure to give extra care to the places where the sod meets walkways or fences because these areas tend to dry out more.

Tips & Warnings

• Before you place the sod on the ground, moisten the area and keep it moist as you go.

• Be carefully not to walk on your new lawn for a couple days, if you must stand on a board to evenly distribute weight.

References

• University of California Integrated Pest Management: Kill The Existing Turf and Weeds
• University of California Integrated Pest Management: Installing Sod