Tricks to Laying Sod

Choose the Appropriate Sod

• When ordering sod at your local garden supply or home store, find out what type of grass works best in the area you live in. Because sod can be expensive, you may even want to consider having a consultant come to your home to make a personalized recommendation. For example, grasses that require a good deal of water may not do well in hot, dry areas.

Prepare Area Beforehand

• Level the soil where sod will be placed prior to installation. Use an electric rake for this job, if possible, especially for large areas. Remember that sod is usually 1½ to 2 inches thick, so soil should be that much lower than walkways or driveways so that the edges will look neat when the sod is put down.

Install Sod Promptly

• try to put sod down the same day it's delivered, if you can. If not, store the sod in a shady place and keep it moist by showering it with a garden hose.

Laying the Sod

• To make sure you lay sod evenly, start with a straight area, like along the driveway. Stagger the rows of sod so that the seams don't line up; it's okay to cut sod to make this possible. Lay rolls of sod very closely together, but take care not to overlap them. Once the sod is down, use a water roller to gently press the sod down into the soil.

Caring for Sod

• As soon as sod is in place, water thoroughly. Give the sod a good soak once daily for about two weeks. After that, once a week should do. Don't mow sod or apply fertilizers for two or three weeks after the sod is put down; it's important that the sod has time to take root.