Get The Best Soil From A Local Aggregate Company Like Bray Topsoil & Gravel
You can have your topsoil delivered to you by a specialized aggregate hauler that will bring the best soil possible so that your sod lays flat and grows best. Dont lay sod on soil that hasnt been prepared. Prepare the soil by removing debris and weeds. Sod cannot be laid down over grass and weeds. You also want to apply an herbicide 10 to 14 days prior to sod installation to get rid of any weeds. Pre-fertilize the soil. Use a rototiller to break up the soil so its not compacted. Loose soil will allow the sods roots to grow downwards into the soil to establish a healthy root system. Compacted soil can prevent the roots from penetrating the soil for good root establishment. Level the ground with a hard rake so the sod doesnt stick up in some places and dip in others. Once that is done press your soil level using a lawn roller filling in any lower areas and then rolling again.
How Much Does Sod Cost If I Do It Myself Or Have You Install It For Me
The cost of sod and sodding a new lawn is given to immediately when you complete a request for a quote below:
How much does sod / turf weigh?
Each sod roll will weigh a minimum of 8 lbs. and in wet weather may weigh up to 100 lbs.
How big are the sod rolls? What are the size of the turf rolls?
Each roll is 2 by 45. At BC Instant Lawns we sell the sod in square feet and do the conversion for you. There is no need to convert square feet to rolls anymore. Most farms do not sell a true square yard or meter so doing a conversion becomes a pain. All you need to do is measure your area in square feet, we do the rest.
How do I convert my area size to the amount of sod rolls I need?
You no longer need to convert your area size to sod rolls. We do the conversion for you. All you need to know is the square footage of your lawn area. Calculate this by measuring your lawn in FEET. Take the length x width = Square Footage. Many times, by simply pacing the area out is as accurate as a tape measure, 1 pace is equivalent to about 3 feet for most people.
Prepare The Site: Depending On Your Situation You Will Use One Of The Following Methods
Remove any existing grass or weeds. This can be done by using a machine or by hand.
Break up the top 10-15cm of soil using a tiller. Remove any debris such as larger stones or clumps of clay.
2. Sites in new developments or new construction:
Remove any debris such as larger stones or chunks of clay. If weeds have grown in they must be removed.
Final grade & drainage must be completed before spreading new top soil or installing sod.
Basic Soil & Sod Install Tools:
Be sure to have sufficient watering equipment on hand & ready to use.
Top Soil
Always use an adequate amount of good quality top soil for your project.
Determine the amount of top soil needed for your site & organize the delivery.
New Construction Sites : Its advisable to order soil based on a minimum 4 5 inch depth of new top soil. Once spread, leveled and packed with a roller it will result in a 3.5 4 inch depth of top soil for your new sod.
You can choose to use more top soil, however, be sure to follow the prep guidelines for best results.
Existing Lawns being renovated or repaired: Order top soil based on the specifics of the project & take into account any existing good soil on site.
Prepare the top soil:
1: Spread & level topsoil to a finished approx. 3 3.5 inches minimum compacted depth.
Your finished top soil grade should be 1 inch below driveways, curbs, walks and patios etc. to allow for ease of mowing.
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How To Install Sod Grass
A lush green lawn you desire can be achieved through seeding or installing sod. While seeding a lawn is a traditional method of establishing a lawn, it does take time to for grass to germinate and grow. Installing sod results in an established lawn appearance once the sod is laid. Proper preparation is essential so the sod can be installed in a timely manner and will have the proper foundation to support growth.
1.
Spray any existing weeds in the lawn area with glyphosate herbicide. Mix 3 ounces of herbicide per 1 gallon of water in a garden sprayer, or mix it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Shake to mix thoroughly and spray the mixture on weeds. Allow several days for the herbicide to kill the weeds.
2.
Till the lawn area to a depth of at least 6 inches. Rake out clumps of grass and weeds. Continue tilling the area to break up any larger clumps of dirt. Work the tiller back and forth, first in one direction and then in another to effectively till the soil.
3.
Collect a soil sample and perform a soil test with a purchased test kit or send it to a lab for testing. Consult with the extension office in either case once you have results to determine the best fertilizer for your lawn. At a minimum, a starter fertilizer in a ratio such as 1-2-1 should be used at a rate of 1 pound of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.
References
When To Lay Sod
In general, it’s best to lay sod in the cooler weather of early fallbut at least two months before freezing weather sets in. This gives the new grass plenty of time to extend new roots and bond with the underlying soil. Early spring can also be an acceptable time for laying cool-season grasses. But you want to avoid laying sod just before the heat of summer arrives because in these temps, new grass often goes dormant and refuses to establish new roots. Above all, avoid the blistering hot days of summer for laying sod.
Sod availability may also play a role in your decision on when to lay sod. Waiting too late in the fall may leave you with few choices as suppliers run out of stock are are suspending operations for the season.
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Do I Need To Use A Lawn Roller On My New Sod
If your lawn is large enough, you could consider renting a lawn roller to smooth it out. Some professionals use and recommend this tool.
For your DIY sod laying job, you can rent a lawn roller from a local garden center.
Using a lawn roller does help get full and uniform contact between sod and soil, but it isnt necessary, so skip this step if youre so inclined.
How Long Does Sod Take To Root
Your new sod should root within 10-14 days of application. You should mow your new lawn for the first time after laying sod. To avoid cutting it too short, be sure to set your mower to the highest setting possible.
You can check to see if your sod has been planted by looking at the top of the sod with your fingers. If it is green, then you have a ready-to-be-planted sod and you can plant it right away. Otherwise, you will need to wait a few days until the soil is dry enough to allow the roots to grow.
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Do A Proper Installation
Install day of delivery! Same-day installation of your sod is imperative to the success of the establishment. Sod is a living plant that requires immediate water, nutrients, and air to live and establish itself.
- Start at a straight line such as a driveway or walk.
- Layout the sod as you would a rug or tiles.
- Make sure all joints are butted tightly together without overlapping or spaces between strips of sod.
- Stagger the joints in each row like rows of bricks.
- Use a large sharp knife for shaping sod around trees, at flower beds or along borders.
- Completely soak the sod with at least 1 of water. Start watering 20 minutes after the first strip is laid.
- Roll the sod to smooth out small bumps and air pockets. This will assure good contact with the soil.
Saving Money Through Diy Sod Installation
DIY sod installation is a great project if youve got the muscle for this kind of labor. Its dirty and even tedious after the first row or so, but with a couple of strong helpers, it can go pretty quickly, and the results are rewarding. If you have any kind of back problems, this is probably not for you. Laying lawn sod requires hauling about 35 lb. pieces of sod and bending up and down with that 35 lbs. over and over againit generally takes one person two hours to lay down one pallet of sod.
A landscape contractor can lay down 2,000 sq. ft of sod for $2,176 or you can do it yourself for about $843. The savings are significant, making it worth consideration.
Keep in mind that some aspects of laying sod are not so easy, such as creating tight seams between lines of sod. If you have slopes or lots of curved edges making up your lawn, that is a bit more of a challenge. Learning how to use equipment youve rented might be frustrating and time-consuming too.
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Kentucky Blue Grass Sod
At $0.22 to $0.45 per square foot, Kentucky Blue Grass is good for northern regions, and it will handle scorching summers as well as cold winters. It will fill in any bare spots but is an aggressive spreader. It grows well in full sun, moderate shade, and a pH 6.5-7 neutral soil, and it is good in high-traffic areas.
Decide Where To Lay The Sod
Determine the exact placement, so you know both the area to be prepared and the amount of sod needed. Measure the area and plan for an extra 5%, so there is little waste, but to ensure you have enough to finish the job. Your supplier can provide you the right amount of sod based on your measurements.
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When To Mow New Sod
When the grass reaches 3 inches high, it’s time to mow it down to 2 inches. Because your new lawn is still fragile, use a walk-behind mower for the first trim, and be sure to bag the clippings. Though you’ll probably want to grow it higher in the summer monthsto encourage a deep root system and to shade out weedsalways aim to cut off one-third of the grass’s length anytime you mow, and be sure to use a sharp blade.
What To Do After You Remove Your Old Grass
Once all existing grasses are removed, its incredibly important to conduct a soil test.
Testing Your Soil
A do-it-yourself soil testing tool can be bought at any local garden center, and it will give you a reading on your soils pH levels and levels of crucial nutrients, like nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous.
However, the most accurate results can be from a county or state lab, usually offered by a county extension service or university. Ive used that you mail to a lab numerous times and I find it reliable and a great investment.
What you may not realize is that a better test isnt particularly expensive, and it will give you far more accurate results.
This allows you to buy specific fertilizers or treatments to make sure your new sod lawn has the best chance to thrive.
Soil testing is best done in either the spring or fall.
I recommend that you take small samples from at least 5 places in your yard, 6-inches deep and at least 2-inches wide, mixing them together to get a good view of your entire lawns needs.
Remove any grass or thatch, then mix them together in a Ziploc bag to send it in to the lab.
Treating Your Soil Before Laying Sod
Once your grass is removed, its time to treat the soil.
Youll need to till the soil so that its loose. This gives new roots the best chances to grow in strong. You can rent a tiller from your local stores for quick use, though a manual tiller or rake can be used instead.
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Dont Step On The Grass
Avoid walking on your new sod for at least 10 days, and keep foot traffic to a minimum for three to four weeks after installation, particularly if conditions are overly dry or wet. New sod needs to establish its roots, and disturbance can affect the success of this process. If you must walk on the sod, try to use a different route each time so that you are not treading on the same area. To prevent others from walking on your new lawn, mark a perimeter with stakes and string or tape.
Bray Topsoil & Gravel can deliver our gravel and topsoil to you in the Greater Cincinnati Area!
Request a Quote And We Will Contact You Shortly!Calculate How Much Material You Need For Your Project
Measure The Area You’ll Be Sodding
Measure the area youll be sodding. Take careful measurements so that you dont pay for more sod than you need. Order roughly 5 percent extra , so youll have enough sod to cut and fit around curves. Purchase sod through a garden center or directly from a sod farm, if theres one near you. The supplier you purchase from should ask detailed questions about your lawn, including hardiness zone, sunlight vs. shade, how intensely youll use the grass and other specifics. These answers determine the types of grasses that will be in your sod. Make sure sod is delivered within 24 hours of being cut. Plan to lay it the day its delivered.
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For All Your Sod Laying Needs In Florida You Can Count On Duda Sod
We have a wide range of sod types for grasses that grow well in the Florida climate, including St. Augustine, Zoysia, Bahia, and more. We can also put you in touch with qualified sod installers so that you dont have to do all the hard work yourself. Reach out to our team today to learn more on how to lay sod and get started.
Sick Of Sod Theres A Solution
Having a lovely, luscious lawn is one of the best perks of homeownership, but the time and labor it takes to have that gorgeous grass is no joke. Sod installation is dirty, sweaty DIY work. Thankfully, you dont have to do it alone.
There are tons of local, experienced, highly-rated landscaping professionals in your area that will take that labor load off your shoulders. A no-obligation, free, and easy quote is just a click or call away. Well have you laid back, relaxing, and enjoying your outdoor space in no time.
Main photo courtesy DG Turf Farm.
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How Often Should I Water My New Sod
If you water your new sod often, it will grow strong roots. Water it throughout the day for sod you apply in summer to prevent shrinking and drying. Ensure moisture your lawn stays moist for at least two weeks after installation of your sod, and continue watering it for another two weeks to ensure it does not dry out. You can also install an irrigation system for your lawn, which will help you save time and money in the long run.
Sod Grass Delivery Fee
The more grass sod you buy, the cheaper the delivery fee. Order over 1,000 sq. ft and it could even be free. 200495 sq. ft of sod carries a $75 delivery fee, and 500995 sq. ft. should be right around $50 to deliver. Having sod delivered is desirable due to its weight. It looks like a few rolls of grass, but each roll weighs about 3550 lbs. so a small order of 10 rolls will weigh in at about 500 lbs.
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Lay The First Row Of Sod Against A Straight Edge
Once your yard is prepared for the new grass layer, you can begin laying pieces of sod across the affected area . This Old House recommends starting your new lawn against the longest edge of the yard. This might be against a fence, or it could be the edge of the sidewalk that runs along the front of your home. Making use of this straight feature gives you a solid foundation to begin adding row upon row and eventually completing the lawn.
Sod looks and feels like slices of carpet or tiles made of grass. These sections are the top layer of harvested grass that’s grown specifically to be replanted in yards across the country . They may come in rolls or sections piled up on a pallet. Regardless of how you purchase sod, the key is in consistency across each row. Eventually, these rows of grass will intertwine and fill in completely, fusing with one another and the soil underneath. But in the early days just after it’s laid, the best start you can give your grass is one that places each new row as close to one another as possible to choke out weed growth and establish a tight-fitting grass layer.
