How to Cut New Sod

Growing grass can prove to be a difficult task, especially when birds eat the grass seeds or your soil is too dry. If you have attempted growing grass from seed but had no success, get a roll of new sod and lay it on prepared soil. This is a quick way to obtain a full, green lawn. It may be more expensive than grass seeds, but if you have continually seeded with negative results, the purchase is worth it. Cut the sod to fit around existing garden beds and walkways so it fits the lawn well.

Tiller
Soil-testing kit
Fertilizer
Rake
Garden hose
Sod rolls
Sod-cutting knife
Lawn roller

Instructions

- 1
  Prepare your soil by removing existing grass or weeds, and till the soil to make it workable. Use a soil-testing kit to determine the condition of the soil. If needed, work in a fertilizer. Level the soil out with a rake and lightly water it.
- 2
  Unroll the sod onto a hard surface. Cut the sod into parallel strips 1 foot wide with a sharp sod-cutting knife. While pushing the sod down with one hand to hold it in place, cut the sod with the other hand, breaking through roots and cutting in a straight line. Work your way down slowly until the sod is cut into strips. Stand up and view the sod occasionally to make sure that you are cutting it straight.
- 3
  Cut the strips into 1- to 2-foot lengths, using the same technique.
- 4
  Lay the sod pieces along the longest straight line of the lawn, working from the back to the front.
- 5
  Cut the sod exactly where it needs to end once you have reached the front of the lawn. For example, if it butts up to a sidewalk, cut it so it fits snugly against the walk. Push down on the sod with one hand, a couple inches below the cut line. Push hard enough so that it does not move. With the other hand, begin cutting the sod with the sharp sod-cutting knife, moving from one side to the other until it is cut. Push the finished end of the sod securely into place.
- 6
  Continue to lay the sod, working from the back to the front, pushing the edges and ends tightly against each other. Lay the sod in a brickwork-pattern, staggering the ends to minimize the look of lines.
- 7
  Cut around sprinkler heads so you do not cover them. Lay the piece of sod over the sprinkler head to see where it needs to be cut. Make two small slits in an "X" shape to mark the location; be careful not to scrape the sprinkler head. Remove the sod piece and measure the size of the sprinkler head with a tape measure. Cut a hole at the "X" that has a diameter large enough to fit the sprinkler head. Press the sod down with one hand to keep it from moving. With the other hand, quickly move the knife up and down, cutting out the circular shape. Move around the sod as you cut around the circle until the circle is cut out. Fit the sod over the sprinkler head and push it into place. Repeat this process for all sprinkler heads.
- 8
  Cut the sod pieces to fit around garden beds, curved borders, trees or walkways. Again, push the sod down securely with one hand while cutting with the other, working slowly and carefully until it is cut. Push the ends into place.
- 9
  Roll over the finished lawn with a lawn roller so the roots make contact with the soil.

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