How to Lay Sod in Texas

Take several soil samples from the new lawn area. Mix the soil together and dry. Deliver the sample to your local agricultural extension service for analysis.

Cultivate the area with a rototiller to a depth of 4 inches. Remove all rocks and errant vegetative matter with the garden rake.

Broadcast the recommended amounts of fertilizer, agricultural lime and organic matter on to the freshly worked soil. Many Texas soils contain high amounts of clay. Use the soil analysis for particular organic materials to amend the soil if required. Incorporate the material into the soil with the rototiller. Level and grade the soil using the garden rake.

Irrigate the soil with the garden hose and sprinkler attachment. The water will settle the soil and further incorporate the fertilizer along with the lime.

Install the sod within 24 to 36 hours of delivery. Begin the first row alongside a straight edge such as the sidewalk or driveway.

Keep all joints between the sod rolls as tight as possible. Stagger the ends of the sod rolls between each row. Do not walk on the bare soil. Attempt to walk on different areas of the freshly laid sod to avoid compaction of the soil underneath.

Cut all irregular shapes in the sod roll using the sod knife. Keep all cut pieces. Fill in any sparse areas between rolls with the cut pieces of sod.

Roll the sod with a heavy lawn roller. The weight of the roller will improve the root to soil contact.

Irrigate immediately. Water to a depth of 4 inches. Check moisture depth by lifting a corner of a sod roll and digging into the soil. Keep the sod moist until roots take hold into the soil. This may require watering several times in one day during the hot Texas weather.