How to Lay Sod
If you want to take care of your farm and its grass yourself, then at some point, you’re going to have to lay down sod. This may seem like an overwhelming task to complete. Fortunately, there are some easy steps you can follow to properly lay sod and get the results you want.
FMI Equipment in Spokane Valley is your eastern Washington farming equipment dealer. Read on to learn more about the things you’ll want to do in preparation for laying sod on your property.
1. Preparing Soil
Before you begin, you should bear in mind that sod doesn’t last very long; it has a short shelf life, so you can’t purchase it weeks in advance of laying it. Order or purchase your sod only when your lawn is ready to receive it and be prepared to install it promptly.
Test the soil to figure out the pH and nutrient levels it contains, since turf will require slightly acidic soil. Test kits are available at many hardware and home improvement stores. Once you’ve figured out whether your soil is acidic enough for sod (between 6 and 7.5), it’s time to till the soil to a depth between six and eight inches to loosen it up and turn over any debris that might get in the way of successful growth. Work any treatments into the soil that are needed to balance out acidity and nutrient levels.
Rake the soil to where it’s an inch below the final grade of the paved areas around it so that the sod lays against these edges instead of above it. Lightly water your soil before laying the sod and use a soil probe from a garden center to ensure that your soil is damp three to four inches down.
2. Laying Down Pieces of Sod
Once your soil has been prepared, you can begin laying down your sod. You’ll want to have about 5% more sod than your measurements require so that you don’t run short and end up with bare patches. Sod comes in both rolls and pieces and it can be cut with a utility knife from the bottom to make it fit.
Start laying your sod along a straight edge, like a fence, patio, sidewalk or driveway. This will help to keep it tidy. Try to avoid walking too much on the sod as you lay it by stepping around it. Align each piece tightly with its neighbors, but do not overlap them.
To cover curved areas or irregularly-shaped patches, you should lay a piece of sod over the area that needs to be covered, then cut the outline around the shape you need.
3. Caring for Your Grass
Once the sod has been laid, you’ll need to make sure that you’re tending to it so that it grows lush, green and healthy. The first step is to take a lawn roller and press down the roots firmly so that they make contact with the underlying soil. While the sod does settle on its own given time, this expedites the process and makes sure that the sod doesn’t die from lack of water or nutrients.
Another way to keep your sod healthy is to prohibit anyone from walking across the sod for the first few weeks after it’s been laid. Put up signs and let children know not to walk on this part of the grass until it’s grown in some. Keep your pets off it, too.
Watering the sod directly after you install it will help it to grow well, too. Water your lawn until the sod is wet, and water every day for a week unless it rains. Those who live in hotter climates may need to water twice a day to ensure the sod stays wet. Try to avoid letting the soil dry out for the following few weeks until the roots have established themselves.
Looking for farming equipment near Spokane, WA? Whether you’re looking to rent or purchase farm or lawn-care equipment, you’ll be able to find it at our dealership location in Spokane Valley. We even offer financing services if you’d like to make use of them. FMI Equipment proudly serves the cities of Spokane, WA, and Coeur d'Alene, ID.