How to Lay Sod: Get a Head Start on a Beautiful Lawn

Sod is one of the best ways to get a lush, green lawn without the wait. Plus, sod is usually ready for daily activity in two weeks, making it a quick way to add instant beauty to your outdoor living space. Before you choose sod and have it delivered, it’s best to know how to lay sod and what is required for a successful installation.

Where can I buy sod?

Sod can be purchased through most garden centers and home improvement centers. Sod retailers usually partner with local sod farms to arrange home delivery for you. Or, you can go straight to the source – a local sod farm.

What types of sod are available?

Sod is often available in local grass species that thrive in your climate and planting zone. These may include:

• Bahiagrass
• Bermuda
• Blue Grass
• Centipede
• Fescue
• Kentucky Bluegrass
• Ryegrass
• Augustine
• Zoysia

If you are unsure which type of sod you currently have, then bring a lawn sample to a sod retailer. They will examine the sample, determine the grass species, and assist you in ordering the best sod to match your lawn.

Which sod is best for my yard?

If you currently have grass, then it’s best to buy sod that is the same species of grass you currently have. When choosing sod, consider the growing requirements.

How many hours of sun per day does the turf require? How often will your new lawn need watering?

Do I need to remove my old lawn to lay new sod?

If you have a small lawn, then use a grub hoe to dig up the turf. If you have a large lawn, you may want to consider renting a sod cutter—a sod cutter slices under the turf, leaving strips of grass.

Tip: Water the lawn the day before. The soil will be moist, making the turf easier to remove.

How much does sod cost?

How much you pay for sod will vary according to the grass species, where you live, and how much sod you need to cover your yard.

Sod is usually sold one of four ways:

• By the pallet
• By the roll
• Per square yard
• Per square foot

The typical price range per pallet is $150 to $400—the average price for sod sold by the square foot: $0.60. (Prices do not include installation costs).

When is the best time to lay sod?

Home repair expert, Bob Vila, says, “Laying sod is best done in the fall or spring in the North and in the spring in the South. Plant the sod during cool weather because planting it when warm will subject it to burnout. Do not plant sod later than one month before the average date for the first fall frost. It’s important to give the grass time to establish roots before cold weather sets in.”

How to Lay Sod

Installing sod is a heavy, labor-intensive endeavor. Enlist a friend to help or consider hiring a professional installer.

Prepare the soil

1. Rake the soil until smooth, removing any twigs, stones, or roots as you go. Or use a rototiller to loosen the top 6 to 8 inches of soil.
2. Water the soil. If you notice low areas where the water puddles, move soil from higher areas to fill in depressions.
3. Roll the soil with a roller to make a firm base for the sod. Roll the soil until your footprints are less than 1/2 inch into the surface.
4. Water the soil again. Wait two days before installing sod. The soil should be moist to a minimum depth of 5 inches.

Lay the Sod

1. Be ready to start work as soon as your order is delivered. If you can’t begin work immediately, unroll the sod and water it to keep it moist.
2. Working in sections, lay sod over one area at a time.
3. Starting with a straight row, lay strips along an outside edge or perimeter. Continue to lay sod toward the opposite lawn edge.
4. Push sod seams together with your fingers as you work to keep edges from drying out.
5. Use a sod-cutting tool or sharp knife to cut sod to fit as needed. If you have a sprinkler system, remember to cut holes in the sod where the sprinkler heads are located.
6. Install your last row as a full-width strip (cut the preceding row narrow if required).
7. How to lay sod around a curved border: Overlap the border with a strip. Trim away the excess strip to fit.
8. Firm sod with a roller filled 1/3 with water.
9. Immediately water sod to a depth of 6 to 8 inches.

Caring for a Newly Sodded Lawn

How often should I water new sod?

For best results, follow this watering schedule for your new turf:

• 3 times daily the first week
• 2 times daily the second week
• 1 time a day the third week
• In the fourth week, resume your regular watering schedule

When should I fertilize my new lawn?

Wait at least six weeks before feeding your new lawn. Then, apply fertilizer at a rate of one-half pound nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.

Did you know? Sod makes a denser, more attractive lawn. No more reseeding bare spots! Create a lush, even lawn by fitting sod strips together tightly.