Sod is mature lawn grown and nurtured by professional grass growers, cut into thick sheets or squares with roots intact. It is rolled up, transported, unrolled, and replanted to create an instant yard. This process is significantly faster than planting grass seeds and waiting for them to grow.
Where to Find Sod
Sod is primarily available at nurseries, but you can also purchase it at home improvement stores or order it online. The cost of sod varies, reflecting the intensive cultivation process. It takes up to two years to grow grass for sod, which must remain disease-free and requires constant watering, fertilizing, and maintenance. After cultivation, the sod is cut, stacked, palletized, and shipped to its destination, making it more expensive than growing a lawn from seeds.
Choosing Sod
Selecting the right grass type is crucial for your family or business needs. Consider the amount of foot traffic your lawn will endure, as some grasses are more resilient to pets and children. Sod producers and nursery staff can recommend suitable grass varieties based on your climate, soil type, and lawn conditions. Loam is ideal for sod, but specific grass types are better suited for sandy or clay soils. If you’re unsure about your soil type, a professional can test its pH and suggest grasses commonly used for your climate and soil conditions.
Maintaining and Planting Sod
Once ordered, sod should be planted within a day of being cut. When receiving or selecting sod, ensure it is not yellowed and appears moist and fresh. Delivery on a cooler day is preferable, as hot weather can wilt grass that isn’t properly hydrated. If planting is delayed, keep the sod moist and store it in a shaded area.
Preparing Your Lawn
To prepare your lawn or lot for sod, remove old grass, weeds, and debris. Till the soil 4 to 6 inches deep. If installing an irrigation or sprinkler system, do so at this stage. You may till in organic compounds or fertilizers to enrich the soil. Rake out roots, rocks, or hard lumps, and ensure the ground is level to prevent water pooling. Roll the soil to firm the surface, keeping it dry and about 1 inch below any bordering pavement, rockwork, patio, or walkway. The soil attached to the sod will fill this gap.
Planting or Laying Your Sod
Laying sod is labor-intensive. If you choose to do it yourself, follow these key steps. Lay sod pieces like bricks, with seams pressed tightly against each other and staggered to minimize visible lines. Start with the longest straight edge. Water the sod lightly as you work to keep it moist, and avoid delays in watering. Cut sod to fit around trees, shrubbery, or irregular areas. After laying, lightly roll the lawn to ensure contact with the soil, but avoid heavy rolling that could leave tracks.
The most critical step in keeping your new lawn alive is watering it. For the first week to ten days, water the lawn enough to keep it moist day and night. In hotter climates, you may need to water two to three times daily. After this period, water normally. Avoid walking on the lawn until the grass has rooted.
