SOD Installation Services
Bermuda, Zoysia and St. Augustine sod grasses are the most commonly used in our area as these warm-season grasses will thrive when installed in the proper location. For example, Bermuda should be installed in areas of the lawn with full sun while Zoysia and St. Augustine are more shade-tolerant species sometimes used under trees or in the side yard.
Best time to SOD
Sod installation can be undertaken right from spring through fall.
Measure the area
Measurements of your yard in square feet essential when buying sod.
Water and Maintain
Watering your new sod so that the ground below is moist. Make sure it’s making good contact with the soil.
Sod Grass Installation Process
- Test irrigation system (initial);
- Flag sprinkler heads and valve covers;
- Remove existing sod (if applicable);
- Roto-till area;
- Grade and smooth area;
- Install and roll new sod;
- Test irrigation system (final);
- Send watering instructions for your new sod.
New sod should be watered immediately to make sure it thrives. 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. If it’s bone dry or muddy, adjust your sod installation or watering technique.
- Water it daily for the first week, preferably in the morning. Avoid walking on it if at all possible. Walking on it can shift the sod, making it uneven or bunched.
- After the first week, you can reduce the irrigation schedule to every other day. Water twice per week as the sod begins to take root.
- Once the grass grows to roughly three inches high, it’s time for a trim. We recommend using a push mower as the new patches will still be fragile.
- Fertilize the lawn after you mow it to add fresh nutrients to the soil.
- As your sod matures and grows stronger roots, you can trim it lower with a mower.
What is Sod?
Sod is a layer of established grass that is dug up with roots and some soil still attached. Sod farms harvest it in long strips and roll it up, soil side out. You should always buy sod that can be harvested and delivered the same day you will be installing it in your yard. Sod that’s laid down more than 24 hours after harvesting may not survive—and that would be a serious waste of time, effort, and money.
SOD Pros and Cons
- Pro: You have a lawn much quicker than you do when you use grass seed
- Pro: You will be able to start mowing your lawn sooner as the grass will be growing so nicely
- Pro: You don’t have to wait for certain times of the year to install sod like you do with grass seed
- Pro: Sod takes root better than seed and is much more reliable
- Pro: You won’t be spending your summer pulling weeds when you use sod instead of grass seed
- Pro: If you are too busy to water your lawn every day, don’t worry because sod doesn’t need as much water as seed
- Con: Using sod is a lot more expensive than seed
- Con: Some sections may not take root and you will have to take them out and put new sections in
- Con: Sod is harder to install than it is to spread grass seed