How to Install Sod
Don’t have the budget to spend on a professional landscaper to install your lawn? Or maybe you would just like to do it yourself for bragging rights to all of your family and friends? With a few tools, you can install a beautiful lawn in 1-4 weekends depending on prep and the size of your lawn.
Tools You Need to Buy
Shovel
Leaf Rake
Leveling Rake
Wheelbarrow
Sod Roller
Broom
Garden Hoe
Tape Measure
Flags
Fertilizer Spreader
Tools You May Need to Rent
Tiller
Sod Cutter
Where to Start?
The first thing you want to do when considering installing sod is to create a quick layout plan. Measure the area where you want to install grass using a tape measure. Measure length by width. The easiest way to do this is to break down the property into small squares and rectangles, then add them up.
Once you have the measurements of the lawn, here are a few things to consider when choosing the grass:
Is there a lot of shade in the area?
Will there be heavy foot traffic?
How often do you want to maintain the lawn?
Are there any grasses you prefer?
Do you have an irrigation system or want to spend minimal time watering?
Grass Types in West Texas
Bermuda
Pros: Very drought-tolerant, can withstand heavy foot traffic, can mow extremely low, comes in seed.
Cons: Doesn’t do well in shady areas, needs frequent fertilization to maintain its best, may be considered a weed in some regions.
Saint Augustine
Pros: Does great in shade, gets extremely thick, doesn’t need frequent fertilization.
Cons: Prone to thin spots with heavy foot traffic, no seed, requires more water.
Fescue
Pros: Green all year, low maintenance.
Cons: Low foot traffic tolerance, needs lots of water.
Preparing the Land
Now that you know what type of grass you want to install, it’s time to prepare the land:
Check for low spots near the house that need grading away to prevent water damage.
Remove existing grass or weeds. If it’s mainly dirt, you may be able to rip up the lawn with a garden hoe instead of a sod cutter.
Test the soil by pressing a screwdriver into it. If it’s difficult, consider tilling the lawn or adding a few inches of topsoil before laying your grass.
Ensure the current yard level is below patios, sidewalks, or other hardscapes. Remove excess dirt if necessary.
Call 811 to mark out all utilities.
How to install sod
Mark Irrigation: If you have irrigation, turn on your sprinkler heads and mark all of them. Mark valve boxes as well.
Remove Old Lawn: Rent a sod cutter if there’s a lot of weeds and grass. Follow the operator’s manual. Start at the upper left corner, making horizontal passes, hitting areas twice as needed. You can remove up to 2” of your lawn with this machine.
Clean Up: Rake up all debris into piles. Use a wheelbarrow to dispose of the grass. If hauling it off yourself, find a place that takes yard waste instead of a junkyard. You can also hire a haul-off company to use their dumpster. Just make sure to inform them that you will be throwing dirt and grass in there as some companies don’t accept dirt.
Prepare the Soil: If the ground is hard, wait until after you till. Till into the first 2” of soil, making horizontal passes. Then, do perpendicular passes over everything you have already tilled. If necessary, remove dirt after tilling. Use your leveling rake to fill any low spots, ensuring the area near the house and foundations is slightly higher, gently sloping toward the alley or another drainage area.
Add More Dirt: If needed, call an aggregate company to have dirt delivered. Spread the dirt as needed to fill in any low spots.
Laying the Sod
Lay the Sod: Start at the top corner and work your way towards the exit. Re-level as you go along. Once you have laid all the big pieces, use a box cutter to cut small pieces to fill the gaps. Keep small cuts in the middle as they are prone to drying out on the edges.
Roll the Lawn: Roll over the lawn to ensure good contact between the sod and soil.
Fertilize: Add a starter fertilizer to the lawn to help it thrive. Check the bag for spreading instructions.
You now know everything you need to install a professional-quality lawn. For more tips on creating a beautiful landscape, make sure to subscribe to our blog. Or if you decide you would rather have a pro do it, call us today at 432.271.8512.
Feel free to adjust any sections to better fit your specific needs. Would you like any additional details or tips included?
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