As the temperatures start to rise and your landscape begins to defrost, you may notice that your lawn needs some improvement. If your lawn has bare patches or isn’t in peak condition, you may want to consider installing sod or contact a landscape service for help.
When to Install Sod?
Although you can install sod successfully during the summer we recommend that it is done in spring or fall. The reason being is these times of year consistently have temperatures below 85 degrees and above 30 degrees. Sod can be installed in warmer temperatures and has an increased chance of survival with watering.
Preparation For Sod
You must first prepare the soil. Start by removing unwanted grass, rocks, sticks, and other debris. Next we recommend you “till” the soil to allow for easier root establishment. If needed you can also add a layer off fresh topsoil, making sure to keep an even soil grade. It’s important to have a minimum of 2” of loose soil under your sod to ensure the sod takes to the soil. Lastly, keep the sod in the shade and consistently water, even before installation.
Laying of Sod
Right before laying sod we recommend you wet the soil. Next, lay out sod rolls fully and in a brick like formation. Ensure that your edges are as close as possible without being on top of eachother and that all parts of the sod roll is in contact with soil. Pro tip, you can bend the edges of sod down to prevent them from resurfacing. To accomodate awkward spaces you can cut the sod rolls with a straight-edge shovel.
Sod Maintenance
Once sod is installed you should evenly water and keep sod moist until the roots are established. This typically calls for watering daily 2-3 times for about 10 minutes each time. Next avoid walking on top of fresh sod for the first week to prevent damage to roots. Lastly let the sod grow, don’t mow the sod for a minimum 3 weeks and don’t use chemicals such as weed killer.
DIY?
If you’re installing sod into a small area, you may be able to handle the project yourself. However, if you haven’t installed sod in the past, we recommend you leave a large sod install to the professionals.
Max’s Lawn and Landscaping, are professionals in sod work and much more. Contact Max’s Lawn and Landscaping at 708-745-8790 or visit maxslawnandlandscaping.com for professional help!
Disclaimer: this article provides general advice and does not apply to every situation. Contact Max’s Lawn and Landscaping for recommendations specific to your property.
