STEP 1. REMOVING A LAWN WITH A SOD CUTTER

Sod has to be laid directly on the soil, so removing the old grass is a crucial step. A sod cutter is an efficient tool to clear away old grass.

STEP 2. DISPOSE OF YOUR OLD LAWN

 Old lawn cannot be mixed into the soil. It needs to be disposed of. It can be delivered to a local Waste Management Site.

STEP 3. TILL SOIL

Rototilling before laying sod gives the roots loose soil to grow into. Loosen the top 6 to 8 inches of soil with a rototiller. 

STEP 4. ADD TOP SOIL

You need to add topsoil before laying sod if your existing topsoil is less than 2 inches deep and the soil below that is mostly clay or sand.

STEP 5. LEVEL THE SOIL

Before installing a beautiful new lawn of fresh grass, it is of utmost importance that the ground is properly leveled. Properly leveling your lawn makes it easier for new grass roots to penetrate deeply and evenly. In turn, this makes the lawn denser and drought resistant, allowing for more efficient use of water and nutrients.

STEP 6. LAY SOD

Buy fresh rolls of sod. Keep sod in the shade until you unroll it. Using a straight edge in your yard, unroll the first row of sod. Try following the line of your patio, driveway or fence to keep the edges straight and even. Lay the pieces butt right up against each other.

STEP 7. FILL IN THE GAPS

To trim, fold the excess sod up. Patch those open spaces accordingly. Fill in small seams with more topsoil. Continue patting to remove air pockets. 

STEP 8. PRESS DOWN THE SOD

Making sure the sod is evenly pressed into the earth is important. It locks the moisture in the sod so it can put down roots. For a large lawn, use a roller to smooth out the new sod after everything is neatly laid. This helps the sod take root in the soil. A lawn roller also presses out any air pockets you may have missed.

STEP 9. WATER THE SOD

New sod should be watered immediately to make sure it thrives. In the first two weeks after installation, apply a quarter-inch of water twice daily. Water first in the early morning, between four and ten o’clock, then again in the late afternoon or early evening. 

After the first two weeks, once your new sod has established deep feeder roots and the edges have grown together, adjust to a more normal lawn watering pattern. For the healthiest growth and appearance, ensure your lawn receives approximately 1.5 inches of water per week from a combination of rain and irrigation. If there’s no rain in the forecast, water the grass three times per week, applying a half-inch each time.

To check to see that the sod is making good contact, gently lift a corner. The ground below should be moist after watering the sod. Water the lawn thoroughly every day for a couple of weeks, checking periodically to ensure the proper amount of water. 

It’s important not to overwater the new grass. To check for proper watering, peel up a corner of a sod strip (it won’t damage the grass), and feel the exposed soil; it should be damp but not wet or muddy.

STEP 10. MOW NEW SOD

The first day of mowing should take place about two weeks later after installation. Begin with setting your mower to the highest setting. 

STEP 11. APPLYING FIRST FERTILIZER

About one month after installation, give your new lawn a feeding with traditional high-nitrogen lawn fertilizer.