How to Trim Sod

Place the long rolls of sod down starting at a long straight edge of the lawn. If your lawn slopes, begin at the top of the slope and work down. Butt ends of rolls together. Avoid stretching pieces as you lay them because they dry out and shrink.

Cut a roll of sod in two using a utility knife or carpet knife as you start the next row of sod placement. The exact length of the two pieces is not important. Carefully work the knife through the grass and dirt until you separate the roll into two pieces. Set one of the shortened pieces at the beginning of the next row of sod. Place edges of the first row and second row closely together. Lay a full roll of sod next, staggering the ends with the first row. Continue staggering rows as you complete the installation. Cut pieces, as necessary, to finish rows. Use any extra sod that remains from one row as the beginning piece on the next row to help give you staggered joints for that row.

Cut pieces of sod to fit around flowerbeds, trees and walkways, using the utility knife. Try to keep the pieces as large as possible to provide more opportunities for the grass to root.

Fill small gaps between cut sod pieces with potting soil. This provides extra growing medium for the plants to help establish themselves.