'how to' advice

How to Install and Lay Sod

Rake and roll Thoroughly rake out the top soil and remove all rocks and sticks, while breaking up and spreading large chunks of soil. Using a lawn roller, pressure roll the soil, this will allow you to see high or low spots, at which time you may have to rake again to get your property level.

Move in sod
If your property allows good access, move the sod in and close to the location you will be working on. You can have the sod company drop pallets of sod right beside you prepared soil.

Run a string line
It is a good idea to run a string line against a straight edge of a building down to the end of your property. This will give you a good straight edge to work with. Start your first row of sod against this line and consecutive rows to follow. You can also start with your first row of sod against a house foundation to give you the straight starting line.

Use a sharp knife or box cutters to cut your sod. If you are using an exacto or razor knife be very careful not to break off the blades in the sod.

Lay your sod
Your sod should be offset so that none of the seams line up, just as shown in the following picture.

Working around tree wells and Sprinklers heads
If you have sprinkler heads or tree wells to sod around simply run your sod straight over the tree wells and cut around the wells later using a string line attacked to the tree. For sprinkler heads, lay over top the sprinkler head, slap the sod so the sprinkler heads makes an impression on the underside of the sod, roll the sod back and cut out the round impression made by the sprinkler head.

Roll again
After your sod is completely installed you can roll your sod once again to ensure the roots have good contact with the soil.

After your sod is installed you need to thoroughly soak the sod at least twice a day depending on temperature. Avoid walking on the wet sod for at least two weeks.

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