Sod Installation

Sod Installation Guide

The following is a guide for installing your new sod.  We will guide you from getting the grass delivered to the turf planted. We also recommend using the yard preparation guide when you’re ready to install and maintain your lawn to keep it healthy long term with also keeping your lawn environmentally friendly.

Sod Delivery:

When the driver arrives, please let them know where you would like the pallets. We will try to accommodate you, but sometimes cannot.  The driver will determine what he can and can’t do.  You assume all risks by allowing the forklift onto your property.  While our drivers are very careful, mistakes and accidents can occur.

The minimum requirement is a 9-foot opening to allow for the forklift to enter the yard and cannot pass under or into a structure.
Each pallet is 4’x4′ with 640 square feet of sod. We recommend that you have the driver put the pallets outside the area to be installed with sod so the pallet does not interfere with the sod installation.

How to Install the sod

• The sod needs to be installed the same day as delivery, no matter the weather outside.
• Green Side Up
• Before placing each row of sod, we recommend raking out all low spots, footprints, and forklift marks.
• Start each sod row by laying the sod end to end along a straight line the farthest way from the entrance of your yard. Return to the starting point and begin your 2nd row with a Half Piece of sod.  Begin your 3rd row with a full piece of sod, then the 4th row uses a half piece of sod to start and so on. This will allow a “stair step” pattern in the yard and all the sod will not line up exactly.
  
  • If you begin each row this way you can have one person lay a piece on row 2 and then lay a piece on row 3 then on row 4, etc. This allows one person to stay on their knees while the other carries the rolls from the pallet dropping the “tail” of the roll close to the end of the piece already in place. (Using this approach will minimize excessive bending and kneeling with the sod installation)
• You will want to make sure all pieces are tight against the previous piece, avoiding gaps and overlaps.
• Install sod by sprinkler zones. As soon as a zone is completed. Turn the water on that zone. This will help make sure that all zones are working correctly and no sprinklers get missed as well as providing coverage for all sod in the area.
• One person can be trimming the sod (it is recommended to use a sharp knife for this). When laying sod against cement edges, lay sod over the top of these edges and use the cement edge to cut against, leaving a perfect match of sod to cement.
• Avoid leaving small pieces or strips on the outer edges. (Small pieces shrink and dry out).
• On slopes place the sod pieces across the slope. Start at the bottom and work your way up.
• Take pictures of your completed installation the same day as delivery and send them by text to our regular business phone number.  This step is necessary to qualify for our warranty again defect.  You must also adhere to following watering instructions.

Water – #1 Importance

• The sod must be watered within ½ hour of installation.  A light spray is not sufficient. At least 1/2 inch of water should be applied ASAP to ensure the sod will not go into shock. If it does not receive adequate water soon enough, it will turn yellow first before it greens up.

• A simple method to measure the amount of water being applied would be to place straight-sided cans (like tuna cans), cups, or pans around the yard. After watering, measure the accumulated water in the can with a ruler.  Then check to make sure the soil is moist/wet down to about 3-4 inches. You can use a screw driver or other sharp object into the soil and check the depth on the object when you pull it out.
• For the first 2 weeks, start watering your sod about 1/4 – 1/3 inch a day, more in hot weather, less in cooler weather.  Many factors will change the amount of water needed, like soil makeup and drainage, air temp, wind, the amount of direct and reflected sunlight, touching surfaces like cement or asphalt, etc.  The idea is to keep the area under the sod wet enough for the roots to chase the water down but not to make the soil muddy or soft.  Peel up a few corners throughout the lawn between waterings to check this.  Adjust your watering up or down as needed.  It is more of an art than a science and will require adjusting a few times to get it right.  The 1/4 – 1/3  inch is just a starting point.  Water according to your needs.
• You may find that some areas of your lawn require more or less water than others.  This is especially true on slopes, clay or sandy soils, areas that receive more or less shade during the day, areas with reflected sunlight from windows or fences, areas exposed to or protected from winds, etc.  Again, water each area according to its needs.
• You may water all at once or divide it between 2 sessions daily as long as the soil stays damp under the sod all day.  We recommend about 1 hour after sun up and about 1 hour before sundown if you prefer to water twice daily.  You may find you need to add another watering during the day to keep the soil damp.  Try not to water at night and during the heat of the day.
• If the sod turns yellow in places or over the entire area soon after installation, it most likely means the sod is in shock and will require a little time to recover.  Just keep watering according to these instructions and let us know so we can monitor and coach you.
• If the sod appears to be drying out, look at the soil under the sod before adjusting the watering times.  Sod that is being overwatered can appear dry, so make sure you check the soil and adjust UP or DOWN according to what you find there.  If you have any questions, please call us sooner rather than later.  Once sod is damaged by under or overwatering, it can take a long time to recover.
• If you are getting mushrooms, but everything about the sod looks good, don’t worry about them.  They will go away when you reduce the watering after the transplant process.
• Rain can be counted in the amount of water applied, but it must be measured. People often think rain is sufficient, but we seldom receive enough rain to keep from using the sprinklers.
• Keep off the sod as much as possible during this time.  That includes kids and pets.
• After 2 weeks of watering, mow the lawn.  Mow no more than 1/3 the length of the grass blade.  You can leave the clippings on the lawn or bag them; it is up to you.
• Over the next 2 weeks, taper the watering frequency down to a normal schedule (about 2-3 times a week).
• You may now use and enjoy your lawn.

Brown Spots and Edges in Your New Sod?

What causes brown spots?

New lawns can have brown spots and browning along the edges of the cuts. Typically, brown spots are caused by insufficient watering. New sod is especially prone to drying out because of its shallow root system. Brown spots occur when sod dries out and experiences drought shock. Sod will go into dormancy to combat the lack of water it’s experiencing. If this is not corrected quickly, it may die. The edges of sod dry out first because they are exposed to hot, dry air. Spotting in sod occurs for a variety of reasons, but it mostly depends on how water is dispersed around the yard. If the grade of your lawn has dips and valleys, it can cause uneven watering patterns. If certain spots get less water, even a small amount, it could be enough to turn them brown.  But there is an easy fix!

Why does freshly laid sod get brown spots?

New sod has a very shallow and underdeveloped root system that’s only about ¾ of an inch deep. Wind or hot air can cause the plant to dry out. A lot of times the ground below new sod will be wet but the sod itself is drying out. The root system needs a chance to establish deeper into the ground before it can access that water. Without a more mature root system, new sod relies on you to keep it watered. It takes 6-8 weeks for the sod to establish a strong enough root system to absorb water from the underlying soil. In the meantime, it’s up to you to keep it well watered while it gets established.

So how do I fix brown spots in my new lawn?

Water! That’s it.  Especially in the hot summer weather. Sometimes watering every day is not enough for new lawns. If the grass is dry, it needs water. Especially in the first 8 weeks after it’s installed. Watering your lawn for a longer period in the evening can help. It gives the sod a thorough drink that won’t evaporate right away with the heat of the day. It’s still important to water during daytime hours.

Will Fertilizer fix brown spots?

Fertilizer won’t help your grass until it’s green and healthy again. If the sod is dying, the fertilizer won’t take. Wait to fertilize until it has greened back up. Once your sod is healthy, fertilizer helps it grow and establish the deeper root system it needs. So, what it comes down to is more irrigation cycles and hand watering the brown spots until the root system becomes established.

Conclusion.

Although brown spots in new lawns can be frustrating, it’s sod’s way of asking for a drink. Be patient, increase the watering in those areas, and text us some pictures so we can get an idea of what is happening and give you advice to get the lawn you desire.