The Battle of the Lawns – the Sod Strategy

If you’re tired of being jealous of your neighbors’ lush, green lawns, then perhaps sod is the answer for you. Sod has many advantages to putting down grass seed and it is easier to put down than you might think. By learning about sod and following certain tips, you can have a new, beautiful lawn in a short amount of time.

Some of the advantages of installing sod include the fact that it is almost weed free, it will not wash away if installed properly, and it looks good immediately. Laying down sod can be fun as well. It is much like putting together the pieces of a puzzle. However, before beginning the puzzle, there are some important steps that must be taken.

First, it is important to figure out how much sod you will need, where you will get it, and how much it will cost. It would be a shame to sod half of your lawn and then realize that you have not budgeted for the rest of it.

Before laying the sod, you must remove the old lawn, weeds, and rocks. It is important to start with a clean slate. The ground must also be level and tilled before installing the sod. A starter fertilizer should then be spread on the ground. The type of fertilizer used often depends on the type of climate. It is also recommended to us a soil conditioner at this point. Your sod supplier should have the most accurate information on which fertilizer and soil conditioner to use.

When laying the sod, it is important start on the outside edges of the lawn first. It is recommended that a border is created around the yard. This ensures that the lawn boundaries are straight. In addition, the sod on the edges has the greatest tendency to dry out. By putting full strips of sod on the edges, you can decrease the chances that they will dry out. It is best to wind up with any trimmed pieces of sod toward the middle of your lawn.

When laying the sod is complete, a roller should be used to eliminate air pockets and promote contact with the soil. The sod should then begin the process of taking root. If you don’t have access to a roller, it can typically be rented at a local rental center.

Once the sod is down, watering it is vitally important. The sod should be watered daily and deeply for the first two weeks unless it is raining. After that, you can stretch out the time between watering and allow the sod’s roots to grow toward the moisture in the soil. Avoid cutting the lawn until the roots have been established. This usually takes about two weeks.

Laying sod takes a little work and a little know-how but it is worth it. Sod provides a homeowner with the immediate gratification of seeing the fruits of his or her labor. Before long your neighbors will be the ones green with envy of your new lawn.