How difficult is it to lay down sod?

Sod can be heavy and cumbersome. An extra pair of hands will make the sod installation process much easier. Dampen the soil before unrolling your new turf. Using a straight edge in your yard, unroll the first row of sod.

Do you need a professional to lay sod?

Before laying down sod, you’ll need to prepare the ground. You can prepare the ground yourself or hire a professional to do the work for you. Ground preparation is a separate service from sod installation and will cost extra.

How long does it take for one person to lay sod?

approximately 1-1 ½ hours
How long does it take to install sod? One pallet (600 square feet) generally takes 1 person approximately 1-1 ½ hours to install. Hard to access areas and those requiring a lot of cutting will take longer.

Can I lay sod over existing grass?

Do Not Lay Sod Over Old Turf You do need to take out the old turf before you put in new sod. The old turf will break down (decompose), and this process releases gasses that will kill your new sod. In addition, by having that layer of vegetation under the soil, the roots still can’t grow through.

How thick is sod usually?

The soil and root system of the sod is about 1/2 inch thick. Usually a grade of 1/2 to 11/2 inches below driveways is recommended for the soil. Remember, the sod is uniformly machine cut and will conform to any irregularities in your grade. Water soil lightly to firm it down.

Can I put sod over existing grass?

Sod, though, can be applied directly over existing grass.” When the grass dies, it gives off nutrients that actually benefit the new sod above it. The main nutrient that the dead grass layer provides is nitrogen. Applying sod directly over grass is advantageous because it requires less work.

How much does a pallet of sod cost?

On average, homeowners pay $300 per pallet for sod. Pallet prices range from $150 to $450, depending on the grass type and quality. Expect to pay $0.35 to $0.85, or $0.60 on average, for sod sold by the square foot.

How much sod can I lay in a day?

On average, one person can lay 3,000–4,000 square feet of sod per day. Plan with these numbers in mind when ordering sod. Also, remember that new sod requires specialized rolling and watering, so it’s not as simple as laying the sod and walking away.

How do you keep sod rolls alive?

The key is to provide just enough moisture so that the roots stay moderately moist but not so much that water is dripping out of the sod rolls. During hot weather, you may need to lightly mist the rolls with water every couple of hours, while in cooler weather, once or twice daily misting will be sufficient.

How long do rolls of sod last?

Leaving Sod in Rolls It releases nitrogen, which heats up the roll and begins to kill the sod as soon as 12 hours after the sod is harvested. In the cooler weather of spring and fall, you could have as many as three to five days to unroll the sod before damage occurs.

Can you lay sod on top of an existing lawn?

In most cases it won’t be necessary to add too much extra dirt, but the little bit of compost will help give some nutrients to the roots while your new grass becomes established Though it is generally thought to be OK to lay sod over an existing lawn, some landscapers and homeowners prefer to remove any existing lawn before installation of sod.

How to choose the right sod for your project?

If you need to lay sod in a larger area, it’s more cost-effective to buy larger rolls. Plan the sod pickup or schedule the delivery for the day you want to complete the project. Fresh sod needs to be planted quickly. This is so it can be watered and start receiving nutrients from the soil. Don’t skimp on how much sod you order.

How often should you water new sod after it is laid?

After about 2 to 6 weeks, your new sod will be bonded with the native soil. Once that happens, cut back on watering to a couple of times a week, making sure to soak the soil each time. Keep the nutrition coming by starting a regular fertilizer program 6 to 8 weeks after laying new sod.

How do you Cut sod without damaging it?

Simply fold back the excess and use a box cutter (or other sharp knife) to trim the sod. Be sure to cut from the soil side through to the grass side, then pat down the new edge, making sure you don’t leave any gaps. 5.