Our Beginner Landscaping Guide: How to Lay Sod in Your Yard

Thinking of starting new grass in your yard? If so, then you need to lay new sod. You can do this on your own by following these steps:

Prepare the Ground

Preparing the ground to lay the sod is pretty similar to growing grass from seeds. When preparing the ground for sod, it is best done in spring or in late summer or early fall—that is, if you are working with cool-season grasses. On the other hand, if you will be using warm-season grasses, you can do the job at any time of the year.

If you have an existing lawn, make sure to remove the grass, as the ground should be bare. To remove the grass, you may need to dig it out, kill it with an herbicide, smother it to death, or remove it using a sod cutter.

Once the ground is completely bare, it’s time to test the soil’s pH. A pH level between 6.0 to 7.5 is good. Now, you can prepare your rototiller and use it to till the ground. Doing so will loosen it up. Then, apply a starter fertilizer and a soil conditioner.

Remove anything chunky by raking the soil. Once done, roll it with a roller to achieve a level and firm surface. If you use topsoil, make sure to apply only one to 1 1/12-inch layer and to rake it by hand and not compact it.

Test the Soil

You can either test your soil with a kit or have a county extension office test it for you. If you choose the latter, they will send you instructions, a soil testing bag, and an information sheet.

Collect the sample by scooping up soil from different spots in the yard. The soil can vary based on its spot; therefore, you need to get soil from various spots to get the reading of the whole area.

When you’re done collecting soil, mix it and place it into the testing bag. Fill out the information sheet then mail it back to the extension office. If you get a reading below or higher than 6.0 to 7.5, the office can recommend the next steps to take.

Lay the Sod

Now, it’s time to lay the sod. Start on the edges because the edges are the most likely to dry out. When you start on the edges, you ensure that the edges will have sod strips of the full width, which will make them less likely to get dry. Unroll a sod on the far left-hand side and then another on the other side.

When you have laid the two rolls of sod on the outer edges, you can start to work your way toward the center with your next strips. Keep in mind that a single strip of sod may not be long enough to cover the entire length of the lawn. As such, you will need to lay separate rolls on each end. Press the ends firmly together and make sure that they do not overlap with each other.

For the ones on the adjacent row, stagger the ends of the sod rolls to prevent the seams from lining up. If you find a strip sod that is too low, you can use some topsoil on it.

Water the Sod

When the sod is completely laid out, you need to water the sod every day for a couple of weeks. Watering is not just about getting it wet. What matters the most is that what’s underneath is appropriately wet. Check for proper watering by peeling up a corner of a sod strip and feeling the exposed soil. The exposed soil must be damp and not muddy or wet.

Conclusion

Laying sod on your own is a bit challenging, but with these tips, you will be able to DIY it successfully. Make sure to get quality sod in Winnipeg to get optimum results for your yard project.

We’re one of the most reputable landscapers in Winnipeg. If you need help with your sod, contact us today at Classic Landscape, we’re happy to help with all your landscaping needs!