1) Land Preparation
• If time permits, contact your county extension agent for information of how to test your soil. Professional soil testing will give you the most accurate information about your soil's needs for successful sodding. If time does not allow for testing, please contact us for a general recommendation of lime and fertilizer needed for the area you plan to sod.
• While you wait for the results of your soil test, use a herbicide to kill all existing grass and/or weeds; or remove all existing grass and/or weeds.
• Next you may choose to till the soil to a 2"-4" depth or bring in 2"-4" of top soil.
• If you choose to till up your existing soil, it is best to apply recommended quantities of lime and fertilizer before tilling. That way you are working the nutrients into the soil where they can be utilized by the roots of your new sod.
• Once the soil is tilled or top soil is spread, rake the area to a smooth even surface (just like a seed bed) removing all roots, rocks, and large clods.
• If you do not have the resources or ability to accomplish land preparation on your own, contact a reliable landscaper. If you need a recommendation for a landscaper in your area, please contact us. We will be happy to supply several references.
2) Measuring
• Now that your land is ready for sod, you will need to know how much sod your area requires before ordering your sod.
• Simply measure the length and width of your area in feet. Multiply those numbers together to determine the square footage. Then, divide the square footage by 9 in order to calculate the square yards needed for your area.
• For large or oddly shaped areas, it may help you to break the area into smaller parcels for measuring. Once you've determined the square yardage for each parcel, add the numbers together to find the square yards needed for the whole area.
• For a triangle, measure the base and height of the triangle in feet. Multiply the two numbers together then divide the total by 2. (A=1/2bh). Then divide that number by 9 to determine square yards.
• For a circle, measure the radius of (1/2 the distance across) the circle in feet. Multiply that number by itself. Then, multiply that total by 3.14. (A=P r2). Then divide that total by 9 for square yards.
• If you are uncomfortable "doing the math," contact us for assistance or an estimate.
3) Transporting
Once you know the square yards required for your area, you can determine whether you can pick the sod up yourself or if you will need to have your sod delivered. Below are some guidelines for how much sod can be safely hauled in your vehicle:
• Medium sized car 5-10 sq. yds.
• One-half ton pickup 50-75 sq. yds.*
• Single axle trailer 50-75 sq. yds.
• One ton truck 150-200 sq. yds.
• Two ton truck 300-350 sq. yds
• Tandem (10 wheeler) 500-600 sq. yds
• Tractor trailer (flat bed) 1,000-1,200 sq. yds.
*four wheel drive trucks may haul more sq. yds.
If you have a vehicle that is not listed here, contact us for hauling guidelines.
• If you are concerned about keeping your vehicle clean, please bring something on which to place the sod. If you are hauling your sod in an open truck bed or trailer; light, vented covers will reduce drying and heat build up during transportation plus they keep sod from bouncing off the truck into traffic.
• Wet sod will weigh more and reduce the number of square yards you can haul safely
• Do not overload your vehicle. You can always come back for more.
4) Installing
• Have your site ready for installation prior to picking up sod or scheduling delivery.
• Sod should be installed the same day it is picked up or delivered.
• Wear work clothes.
• Do not install sod over grass, debris, or rocks.
• Lay the first line of your sod along a straight edge such as a driveway, sidewalk or string stretched between two stakes.
• Butt the pieces tightly together being careful not to overlap.
• Stagger sod pieces in a "brickwork" fashion to avoid solid seams.
• Use a large sharp knife, spade, or bush axe to trim corners or cut pieces of sod.
• Avoid using small strips of sod along outside edges as they will not retain enough moisture to survive.
• On slopes, lay sod perpendicular to the slope not parallel.
• Try to minimize compaction during the installation process by transporting sod in wheelbarrows. Plywood boards may be laid in heavily trafficked areas to avoid compaction.
5) Immediate Care & Maintenance
• Saturate sod within 30 minutes of installation. Soil under the sod should be wet to a 4" depth.
• Areas near buildings, driveways, sidewalks, other edges and tops of slopes will dry out more quickly and will require additional watering.
• During the first 2 weeks after installation, keep all traffic (people, toys, pets, vehicles, etc.) off grass.
• Nothing but water should be on the new sod until it has rooted down. See our maintenance sheet for specific watering guidelines.
• After 10-14 days, you may lightly tug on several pieces of sod (particularly edges) to determine if sod has taken root. If your sod is firmly rooted, you may stop watering long enough for grass to dry for mowing. After mowing sod for the first time, be sure it is free of heavy grass clippings and resume watering.