How to Plant a Lawn in the Fall in New Hampshire

How to Plant a Lawn in the Fall in New Hampshire

• 1

  Test the soil pH using an at-home soil-testing kit or send a soil sample to a local university or nursery for testing, as recommended by the University of New Hampshire.

• 2

  Add lime to the soil to raise the pH, if necessary. Look at the soil-test results to see if the soil pH needs to be higher. Soils in New Hampshire tend to require occasional liming to keep them from being too acidic. Most sod mixtures do best with a soil pH around 6.0 and definitely not below 5.5.

• 3

  Add a layer of organic compost on top of the soil and till it in along with any lime, as recommended by the National Gardening Association. Mix it in to a depth of at least six inches, to help aerate the soil and distribute nutrients.

• 4

  Rake the surface of the soil to smooth it.

• 5

  Lay out the sod on top of the soil.

• 6

  Soak the newly laid sod with at least an inch of water, as recommended by the University of New Hampshire.

• 7

  Roll the newly laid sod with a sod roller to help get rid of any air pockets. If the sod contacts the ground everywhere, its roots will establish themselves more quickly in the soil.