The Fastest Way to Establish Turf

First Steps

• Turf, or turf grass sod, can be laid year round, regardless of soil temperatures, and can even be laid on frozen ground. Till the areas where sod is to be laid to a depth of 6 inches, then grade and level these areas for a smooth working surface. Remove all rocks, weeds, and debris from the tilled areas. Tamp down the soil and lightly moisten it with a garden hose. The surface will now be ready to establish turf.

Laying the Sod

• To install the sod rolls, start at the longest straight border and work out from there. Once the chosen surface is covered, tamp it down to ensure good contact between the sod and the existing soil bed. It is crucial to keep the sod rolls and soil beneath it moist after installment, so water the sod immediately, and then once a day or every other day for at least a week. Use enough water to reach the underneath soil on first watering, or around 6 inches of water depth.

Hints and Tips

• Soil content is a factor. For hard soil and soil with high clay content, mix in enough sand to create a soil base that can be easily raked and leveled. Mix in fertilizer and weed killers, if desired, before turning and leveling the soil. Make sure you stagger where the end of each sod roll stops to avoid a straight line of roll ends, because the ends tend to dry somewhat. Also, install the sod rolls as soon as possible after delivery, or they will dry out and become useless.

Tools Needed

• Use basic gardening tools to establish turf. If you don't have a tiller and a tamping roller, buy them from a garden equipment dealer or rent from an equipment rental company. Otherwise, you will need a rake, a knife to trim sod edges to fit, and a garden hose to water the sod after installation.