How to Prepare a Weedy Area for Sod

Installing sod on top of weeds will result in unhealthy grass growth. Weeds compete with sod for sunlight, air and the soil's nutrients. In fact, the planting site can have many problems if there has been no preparation before installing sod. After removing the weeds from the planting site, gardeners should plan to install sod as soon as possible to prevent weeds from taking advantage of bare soil.

Herbicide
Plastic
Landscape pins
Bricks
Tiller
Rake
Pre-emergent herbicide

Instructions

- 1
  Water your lawn area for every day for two weeks to encourage weed seeds to germinate and grow. By encouraging weed seed germination, you do not have to worry about them growing once you have installed sod. Also, it is easier to kill off weeds with a foliar herbicide when they are vigorously growing.
- 2
  Spray your lawn area with a herbicide that contains glyphosate to remove weeds, as recommended by the University of California. Glyphosate inhibits the weed's ability to produce proteins. Apply the herbicide on a dry day that is free of wind.
- 3
  Cover any ornamental plants with a piece of plastic that are near the lawn area. Glyphosate will kill off anything that it comes in contact with. Secure the bottom of the plastic with landscape pins or bricks. Apply the herbicide near garden beds. Remove the plastic.
- 4
  Reapply the herbicide to the yard in a few days. Till the lawn area to break up any underground weed rhizomes. Break the soil up to a depth of 6 inches.
- 5
  Use a rake and grade the lawn area slightly, so that it is sloping to the street. Water the lawn to moisten the soil and install your sod pieces.

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