How to Install Sod
An easy way to transform your lawn from patchy to perfect is by laying sod. Learn how to install sod in this HGTV video:
Lay sod in spring when cool-season grasses rule and at any time of year when warm-season turf is king.
Cool-season grasses:
- Bent
- Fine Fescue
- Rough Bluegrass
- Kentucky Bluegrass
- Perennial Ryegrass
- Anual Ryegrass
- Wheatgrass
Warm-season grasses:
- Buffalo
- Centipede
- Bahia
- Carpet
- Bermuda
- St. Augustine
- Zoysia
Sod is typically a combination of different types of grass, so always ask your sod provider.
Preparation
Measure the area you’ll be sodding. Take careful measurements so that you don’t pay for more sod than you need. Draw out your space and order roughly 5% extra over the measured area so you’ll have enough sod to cut and fit around curbs. Using these measurements, purchase from a garden center or directly from a sod farm.
Use a rototiller to loosen soil to a depth of 6-8 inches. Remove any debris you unearth, including rocks. Add organic matter to your soil and rake it in. This will make your soil healthier by adding nutrients and aiding water retention.
Test the pH of your soil to ensure a perfect growing environment. You may need to add fertilizer or lime based on the results of this test. Most turf grasses thrive in a soil with a slightly acidic pH (6.0-7.5). Use a rake to work it into the soil. The raked soil level should be one inch below the grade of sprinkler heads or paved areas. Raking evens out the surface and creates loose soil particles which are ideal for grass roots to sink into. Lastly, soil needs to be moist when you lay sod, so water it well 24-48 hours before installation.
Installation
Now you are ready to have your sod delivered. Make sure sod is delivered within 24 hours of being cut; you should plan to lay it the day it’s delivered.
Start laying sod along a straight edge such as a patio, a fence, flower bed or driveway. Start with a whole piece. A carpet or linoleum knife works well to slice through sod. Cut a second piece of sod in half and lay it against the first, staggering the joints like in a course of bricks. Align the edges of sod together tightly but without creating overlap. Work to smooth out any wrinkles in the sod. Pat sod carefully into place so there aren’t any air pockets between soil and sod. Push your thumbs along the edges to fit them snugly against each other. Grab your carpet knife to slice openings in sod around irrigation heads, trees, or other obstacles.
Use a lawn roller to push sod firmly against the sod to create a tight connection, allowing roots to knit into the soil. Limit traffic on the sod for the first three weeks while it’s establishing.
Maintenance
Water your newly installed sod thoroughly and continue to water daily unless rain arrives. After the first week, reduce watering to every other day. Tapering off encourages grass roots to sink deeper into the soil. By the third week, water only twice, and starting with the fourth week aim for just one inch of water per week.
Time your first mowing when grass is roughly three inches tall and at least ten days have passed since you laid the sod. Use a walk-behind mower with a sharp blade to avoid tearing the sod. Apply a starter fertilizer to the sod after about four weeks of growth.
