Sod Installation Step-by-Step

Prepare the existing yard for sod installation. Kill existing grasses and weeds, remove any foreign debris, till the yard while adding any soil amendments, ensure the grading meets any local regulations and smooth the soil with a lawn roller. Moisten the soil the night before or the morning of installation. Well-prepared soil is key to an existing sod installation. Install any drainage or sprinkler systems prior to sod installation.

Purchase the sod. Ensure you purchase enough to cover the entire lawn. All About Lawns suggests ordering 10 to 20 percent more sod than you think you need to compensate for irregularities and loose measurements.

Lay the sod. The MSU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences suggests starting by laying the first row against a surface with a flat edge, such as a sidewalk or driveway, with any seams laid tightly against each other to minimize gaps. Lay subsequent rows parallel to the first, staggering the seams so that the panels of sod end up looking like a brick wall, with the end of one panel beginning in the center of a panel in the previous row.

Cut away excess sod with a carpet knife. Flaps of excess sod tend to occur at the end of rows or where the lawn curves. Cut out holes for any drainage or sprinkler hardware. The excess sod can be used to fill in any gaps between panels.

Start installation at the bottom of any hills on a property. Lay the sod perpendicular to the upward slope of the hill. MSU Agriculture and Life Sciences suggests pegging the two corners higher up the slope on each panel if the hill grade is 3:1 or steeper.

Roll the lawn flat with a lawn roller. Rolling levels out the sod and helps to eliminate any gaps between panels.

Water the sod immediately after installation. Moisten the lawn until the soil is wet at a depth of 6 inches, advises the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture. Continue to water the lawn daily to a depth of 4 inches until it roots. Gently tug at the sod after about 10 days -- rooted soil will resist.