Sod Installation Tip No. # 1: evaluate your property
It is important to note that sod installing is not an easy task. To make sure you are well prepared, it is vital to make sure you are well prepared by asking the right questions: How long is this project going to take? Where will you get your materials? Do you have space on your property to have all the materials delivered to you at once? Evaluating your property before your project will save you hours of headaches and back pain!
Other essential questions to ask:
Is your lawn on a slope? This could mean that the installation will take longer than expected.
Do you have a very mossy soil? You may need a lime application to balance the PH levels of your lawn.
Does your lawn run directly against your house or trees It might be worth considering a mulch bed throughout the house as these areas can often be very difficult to promote the lawn.
What is the current condition of your soil? Is your current soil sandier or more clayey? Are there rocks or roots that need to be moved? This can greatly affect the time spent preparing your lawn.
Sod Installation Tip No. # 2: take action
To get the correct amount of grass and an accurate idea of the price, you need to take careful measurements of the area in which you will install the grass. Incorrect measurements will leave you paying more or not enough grass to finish the project. After you’ve checked your final area three times, we recommend that you request an additional five percent on the measured area. This surplus will be used to trim the grass around the curves.
Sod Installation Tip No. 3: choose your supplier and type of lawn
When choosing a supplier, it’s best to go with a local lawn farm or garden center that works with one. A reputable lawn supplier should ask you about your hardiness zone, how much sunlight vs. shade your lawn receives, the amount of traffic / activity expected, and other detailed questions. The grass they recommend will be more specific to your lawn after they have more information.
The most important thing is to make sure you do your own due diligence and ask about cost and delivery time. Lawn must be installed within 48 hours of mowing, which means the supplier will need to deliver it in a timely manner.
Sod Installation Tip No. # 4: prepare your lawn
Before unrolling and laying the grass, you will need to prepare by loosening the soil at surface level. The fastest way to do this is with a rototiller. If you don’t have one in your garage, you can rent one from an appliance rental company or your local home improvement store. If you find debris, such as rocks or large tree roots, remove it before continuing to the next step.
Once the soil has loosened, it is time to improve water retention and aeration of the soil with organic matter. You can use fertilizer or lime, depending on the results of the soil test. The goal is to make your soil healthier by improving the microbial population. This will allow for more aggressive root growth during your lawn’s immature months.
At this point, it is time to remove the rake and begin leveling the surface. This is a step that should never be overlooked as it ensures healthy drainage in your lawn. If there is a fall on the lawn, it can lead to puddles and even flooding. This helps loosen soil particles, creating an ideal environment for the roots. It is recommended to lower the ground level one inch below sidewalks or driveways. This allows the grass to evenly meet the edges of your property.
Sod Installation Tip # 5: Time to Install!
After your supplier delivers the lawn to you, lay it along a straight edge, like your patio or driveway. Begin laying whole pieces, one at a time, end to end, being careful not to walk on them as you go. Rake footprints from the ground and smooth out wrinkles. Gently lay the grass in place, making sure there are no pockets of air between the ground and the grass. As you continue to cut grass pieces and install them, horizontally stagger the joints similar to a row of bricks.
The edges must be well aligned with each other, avoiding overlaps or air pockets. pieces of grass can be tucked into the center of the lawn to avoid bare dirt along the seams. Curved sections can be installed with the use of a hose and a machete. Use a carpet knife to cut “vents” around trees or other obstacles, such as sprinkler heads.
With a heavy-duty broom, brush potting soil or topsoil at each seam, being careful not to loosen or push the edges up. A lawn roller can be used to firmly push the grass into the ground below, allowing it to quickly take root. For the first three weeks, limit traffic on the newly installed lawn, including children and pets. Finally, start watering your lawn thoroughly and continue to do so every day for the first two, skipping days in case of rain. After the initial two weeks, you can decrease the frequency to every other day. This encourages deeper roots, which is one of the keys to a thick, healthy lawn.
Final Tip on Lawn Installation in Holly Springs
While we love helping our neighbors with their DIY projects, installing grass is labor-intensive and can be incredibly exhausting without the right tools or labor. From start to finish, the process requires the use of many specialized tools and the same practical knowledge.
Sod Installation Tip No. # 4: prepare your lawn
Before unrolling and laying the grass, you will need to prepare by loosening the soil at surface level. The fastest way to do this is with a rototiller. If you don’t have one in your garage, you can rent one from an appliance rental company or your local home improvement store. If you find debris, such as rocks or large tree roots, remove it before continuing to the next step.
Once the soil has loosened, it is time to improve water retention and aeration of the soil with organic matter. You can use fertilizer or lime, depending on the results of the soil test. The goal is to make your soil healthier by improving the microbial population. This will allow for more aggressive root growth during your lawn’s immature months.
At this point, it is time to remove the rake and begin leveling the surface. This is a step that should never be overlooked as it ensures healthy drainage in your lawn. If there is a fall on the lawn, it can lead to puddles and even flooding. This helps loosen soil particles, creating an ideal environment for the roots. It is recommended to lower the ground level one inch below sidewalks or driveways. This allows the grass to evenly meet the edges of your property.
Sod Installation Tip # 5: Time to Install!
After your supplier delivers the lawn to you, lay it along a straight edge, like your patio or driveway. Begin laying whole pieces, one at a time, end to end, being careful not to walk on them as you go. Rake footprints from the ground and smooth out wrinkles. Gently lay the grass in place, making sure there are no pockets of air between the ground and the grass. As you continue to cut grass pieces and sod installation them, horizontally stagger the joints similar to a row of bricks.
