Laying sod is such a fast way to start a new lawn that it is almost no exaggeration to say it gives you an "instant lawn." We must say "almost" because there may be a lot of prep work involved, depending on your situation. But once you have prepared the ground properly, the job is an easy one and goes quickly.

Starting a lawn by laying sod is a very similar project to that of growing grass from seed. It is just the final part of it that is different when you are actually laying the sod. But how you prepare the soil, when you should begin the project, and what supplies you will need are about the same. For that reason, just an outline will be given below for what steps you need to take to prepare the soil before laying the sod:

If you do not want totest your soil, yourself,using a kit, then have your county extension office do the test for you. Contact them first, and they will send you instructions, a soil testing bag, and an information sheet.To collect the sample, make sure you scoop up soil from a number of different spots in your lawn area. The soil in spot A can be different from the soil in spot B (even if it is only a few feet away), and the reading that you are seeking is theaveragenumber for the whole area.

Once you have collectedthe soil, mix it and place it into a soil testing bag. Fill out the information sheet. Then mailthe bag and information sheet back to the extension office. If the resulting reading is not between 6.0 and 7.5, the extension office can help you decide what steps to take next. But, generally speaking, to lower soil pH, you addsulfur or ammoniumsulfate, and, to raise it, you add garden lime.

Why were you told above to lay the sod on the edges first? The reason is that the sod on the edges is the most likely to dry out. By starting on the edges, you ensure that the edges will at least have sod strips of the full width, making them less likely to dry out. When you get to the center, sod widths may have to be trimmed (use a sharp knife) in order to fit in. This is not ideal, but it is better there than on the edges, for the reason just stated. In a nutshell: You may have to trim somewhere, so make sure it is not on the edges.

There are some well-known debates people enjoy having, such as boxers versus briefs orpaper versus plastic. How to start a new lawn has a debate of its own: Sod versus seed.Beginners may wonder, "What are the pros and cons of laying sod versus growing grass from seed?" Here is a brief comparison of benefits and drawbacks:

To keep the birds from eating your grass seed, you can apply a light layer of straw on top of the seed. Some people prefer netting designed for just this purpose, but it is expensive. Either way, the point is that one of the benefits of starting a new lawn from sod, as compared to doing so from seed, is that it requires less work on your part.

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How to Lay Sod to Start a New Lawn - The Spruce

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Sod, also known as turf grass, is fully mature lawn (grass, soil, and roots) that's professionally grown and sold in squares or rolls. This "instant lawn" is ready to install and transforms bare dirt into lush, green lawn in a matter of hours. Laying sod is a feasible do-it-yourself project but professional installation ensures better and faster results.

Keep the following points in mind if you're thinking about installing a sod lawn:

Laying sod has a number of advantages compared to growing grass from seed, including:

It works out cheaper if you install sod yourself, but there's quite a bit of work involved. The need for equipment rental will also offset somewhat DIY savings. Moreover, it can be tricky to make it come out looking seamless.

Before laying sod the lawn must be cleared of grass and weeds, stones, leaves, branches, and other debris. After that the soil should be prepared to receive the sod. Depending on soil conditions a number of measures, such as addressing drainage, improving the soil, and adding topsoil, may be required. The final step before sod installation is to grade the soil. For a complete explanation of installing a sod lawn, read this fact sheet from the University of Rhode Island Landscape

Improper preparation could result in sod that doesn't take well. The major advantage of hiring a professional is that such mistakes are avoided. A landscape company or garden center will also ensure that seams between sod rolls or squares are minimal. And last but not least, professional sod installation means faster results.

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How Much Does Sod Cost?

Project: Winterize or Activate a Sprinkler System

Date: 11/2018

What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence

Winterize or activate: Winterize (Blow-out) Sprinklers

How many zones does your sprinkler system have?: 5 - 8

Age of Current System: Don't know

Recurring Service Requested: Yes

Desired Project Start Date: Tomorrow

Comment: Repair and winterize existing system

Project: Mow Grass and Maintain Landscaping

Date: 10/2018

What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence

Maintenance Frequency: Biweekly

Estimated Size of Lawn: Small (Less than 1,000 sq ft )

Other Services needed: Leaf clean-up

Request Stage: Ready to Hire

Desired Completion Date: Within 1 week

Comment: Mowing Lawn

Project: Mow Grass and Maintain Landscaping

Date: 09/2018

What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence

Maintenance Frequency: One time service

Estimated Size of Lawn: Medium (1,000 - 3,000 sq ft)

Request Stage: Ready to Hire

Desired Completion Date: Within 1 week

Comment: mow lawn

Project: Fall / Spring Yard Clean Up

Date: 09/2018

What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence

Recurring Service Requested: No

Comment: Would like to get our grass cut

Project: Mow Grass and Maintain Landscaping

Date: 09/2018

What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence

Request Stage: Ready to Hire

Desired Completion Date: Within 1 week

Comment: Would like to have our Lawn done

Project: Fall / Spring Yard Clean Up

Date: 09/2018

What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence

Recurring Service Requested: No

Comment: Weed removal between pavers

Project: Mow Grass and Maintain Landscaping

Date: 08/2018

What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence

Maintenance Frequency: Biweekly

Request Stage: Planning & Budgeting

Desired Completion Date: Timing is flexible

Project: Fertilize, Feed or Treat a Lawn

Date: 08/2018

What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence

Lawn Care Services Needed: Weed control, Insect control, Lawn analysis, Natural fertilizers, Seeding, Disease control, Mineral application, Core aeration/plugging

Request Stage: Ready to Hire

Desired Completion Date: Timing is flexible

Project: Mow Grass and Maintain Landscaping

Date: 08/2018

What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence

Maintenance Frequency: One time service

Estimated Size of Lawn: Small (Less than 1,000 sq ft )

Request Stage: Ready to Hire

Desired Completion Date: Within 1 week

Project: Mow Grass and Maintain Landscaping

Date: 08/2018

What kind of location is this?: Home/Residence

Maintenance Frequency: Weekly

Estimated Size of Lawn: Medium (1,000 - 3,000 sq ft)

Request Stage: Ready to Hire

Desired Completion Date: Within 1 week

Comment: Need backyard and front lawn mowed.

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14 Best Lawn Care Services in Secaucus NJ - HomeAdvisor

West Coast Turf and Western Sod have been the leaders in the sod farming industry since 1972, with the aim of providing the best natural turf grass sod and sod installation service in the business. Only West Coast Turf has earned the name "Home of Super Bowl Sod" having supplied turf grass to a record 8 Super Bowls from California to Florida, including Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium. Check out our list of other famous clients.

West Coast Turf is the leader for California sod and Arizona sod products. We offer more than 30 different varieties of sod and stolons, grown locally at our Phoenix area Arizona sod farms, serving Phoenix sod, Scottsdale sod, Tempe sod, Tucsonsod, delivering to nearly every corner of the state; and in Southern California sod farms in the Coachella Valley/Palm Springs/Palm Desertsod areas, Escondido, and Winchestersod serve the entire Los Angeles basin, Orange County, San Diegosod, and beyond, delivered fresh to your home or project in SoCal. In Northern California, our Livingston sod farm serves the San Francisco Bay Area sod, including Sacramento, San Jose, Oakland and everywhere in between.

We specialize in water conserving environmentally friendly bermuda & paspalum grasses with none of the toxic health risks of synthetic grass, and are drought tolerant grasses. We also grow other optimal coastal turf varieties to suit your needs. You can have an environmentally friendly lawn during this drought if you water wisely!

Order sod online for special internet discounts, or call one of our expert customer service representatives for more information.

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Arizona Sod & California Sod - West Coast Turf - Western Sod

Once the lawn is bare, you need to loosen the dirt. Rent a rototiller $50 for four hours, or $80 for a full day and add compost.

You may also want to buy an at-home soil testing kit ($12 to $15), which will tell you the pH level of your soil, along with its nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium levels.

This, in turn, helps you determine what type of fertilizer, and how much, you need to put on the lawn. Finally, you need to tamp down your lawn using a hand tamper ($32).

When it comes time to start laying the sod, you need a landscape rake to level dirt ($30), and a 2-inchcutting knife ($20) to trim sod squares. Lay the new sod so that each row is staggered: make sure the "long" edges are tight to one another but the cut ends of the roll aren't side by side.

Don't try doing this alone; convince at least one friend or family member to lend a hand. Once the sod is down, you want to roll it using a lawn roller, then rent a fertilizer spreader ($50) and buy fertilizer ($20 per bag).

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How Much Does it Cost to Lay Sod? | Angie's List

How much for 20 rolls of sod? I have an area 10 x 17.

We currently charge $4 a roll picked up at our farm, so you would be looking at about $80. Thanks!

Is it to late to fertilize? If not what kind do you recommend if I installed the Kentucky Bluegrass in July?

(Asked Nov 15th) It is likely too late... Early November is the latest that we would recommend fertilizing cool season turfgrass in the Mid-Atlantic. (Also if you are in Maryland, then Nov 15th is the last day you can legally fertilize). I would be sure to fertilize first thing in the spring... I personally use the Turftrust Fertilizer we have on our website but you can also use any quality lawn fertilizer. Thanks!

My yard is 75 feet long and 24 feet wide. How much sod do i need from Central Sod farms?

You would want to order about 1900 square feet. Your area is exactly 1800 square feet but you would want to order a little bit extra to account for cutting around the edges. Thanks!

How long do you recommend keeping dogs/kids off of it

You can walk on it lightly immediately after installation, but you would want to wait at least 2 weeks for heavy traffic and dog use. Thanks!

Is it too late to put down sod in early November in the Chicago area?

You can install Kentucky Bluegrass and Tall Fescue year round.

Im looking to lay kentucky bluegrass in my yard. I currently have a PH of about 8.0 do i need to add some sulfur or aluminum sulfate to lower the PH before i lay the sod or is it ok to lay it on very alkaline soil?

I would recommend lowering the ph to around 7. Since this is quite a big change I would recommend using elemental sulfur. Make sure that you till the sulfur into the soil after you broadcast it, ideally to a depth of 5-6" inches. Thanks!

HOW MUCH SOD TO COVER 18 FT ROUND WHERE A POOL WAS THANK YOU

You would need about 300 square feet to cover that area (assuming 18 feet is the diameter of the circle). Thanks!

how many sq foot of sod do I need for a yard 20feet long and 20 feet wide

You would need 400 square feet of sod for this area. Thanks!

How much sod do I need for a 20 foot x20 foot area?

You would need 400 square feet of sod (40 rolls). Thanks!

Do you install the sod?

We do not install... But if you give our office a call we would be happy to refer you to a contractor in your area. Thanks!

I had grub in my yard last year and I laid chemicals to try and get rid of them during last summer. I'm going to be laying all new sod down soon and was wondering if that would be a good idea given that I don't know if they are completely gone from my la

It is safe to install new sod. A combination of the chemical from last summer and the tilling that you do before installing the sod this spring will ensure that they are not an issue. You still may want to apply grub control each summer as a preventative though. Thanks!

What is the size of a roll of Kentucky Blue Grass? Thank you!

They measure 2 feet by 5 feet. (total of 10 square feet per roll). Thanks!

My plan is to sod my lawn with Kentucky Blue Grass. Do you think it would be okay to use Black Beauty on the parkway side which is totally separate from my lawn?

Yes that would be fine... The two look very similar. Black Beauty has slightly coarser texture but is only noticeable if they are very close to each other. Thanks!

What's the size and thickness of each sod

The thickness of each type is a uniform 1.25 inches (which is about 3/4 inch of soil and 1/2 an inch of root material / thatch). The cool season sod (Kentucky Bluegrass and Tall Fescue) are cut in rolls that measure 2'x5' feet (total of 10 square feet per roll). The warm season sod (Bermuda and Zoysia) are cut in 18" x 40" inch pieces (total of 5 square feet).

How does your sod differ from the sod they sell at Home Depot and Lowes?

We are the producer and cut the sod fresh, meaning that it has a much better chance of survival once planted! Thanks!

Can I lay sod right over existing lawn covered with patches of grass and various weed or do I need to dig up all of the junk first?

It is best to remove the old plant material... If you lay sod directly on top it will create an air pocket over the dead grass and prevent the new sod from taking root. Thanks!

How Many Rolls Are On Each Pallet?

60 rolls that are 10 square feet each... Thanks!

After installing Kentucky Blue Grass sod when should I first cut the grass?

You can cut it as soon as it needs mowing, but make sure not to removed more than 1/3rd of the grass blade each time you mow. Please let us know if you have any other questions!

I have a big tree that gives pretty good shade I cant tell you what percentage. Do I order black beauty for that section and the rest Kentucky blue? Live in Elk Grove Village, IL Thank you.

I would recommend using Black Beauty for the entire area. The two textures would not match well and the lawn would look nicer if it was all Black Beauty. Thanks!

How many rolls would I need to get 1461 yards?

You would need 1,315 rolls to cover this area. (13,150 square feet). This equates to about 1 and a half tractor trailer loads of sod. Thanks!

what prep work is recommended for the soil prior to installing sod?

Currently you have black beauty sod out of stock.I have bushes along the side of my house and got rid of a pine tree. That part is at least 90% sun now since the tree is gone. The rest receives 80 to 85% sun. Can I order bluegrass so I don't have to wait

Yes bluegrass will do well in that area. Thanks!

Hi. I have tilled my yard and raked my yard. How do I level my soil before I lay the sod.

It is best to use a wide metal landscape rake. The large width will help you level out any low or high areas. Thanks!

I have an area 18 x8 and 24x8 how sod would I need ?

You need about 350 square feet (35 rolls) to cover that area. Thanks!

I have a 15x42 space how much sod do I need

You need 630 square feet to cover that area (63 rolls of sod) Thanks!

I have a area that's 30x30 and a area 12x12 how much sod will I need ? And which sod will I need the bigger area has a lot of sun and the smaller area has a little shade. Thanks for you help

You need about 1100 square feet to cover that area, and I would recommend using the DuraBlend Tall Fescue (it does well in both full sun and partial shade). Thanks!

My back yard is complete shade all day will sod work for me or do you have any recommendation. Right now it is all mud no grass at all.ThanksEd

Thanks for the questions! The only thing you might try is some of the "shade mix" seed we have for sale on the website. The most shade tolerant grass we sell as sod is the Tall Fescue, but even that must have at least a few hours of sunlight each day to do well.

Would it be best to cut out the existing lawn before tilling? My lawn is mostly crabgrass right now. If I use a vegetation killer as you suggest in your prep instructions, how long should I wait before laying new sod?

If you have a very thick cover of weeds, it is best if you use a sod cutter to cut them out. If you end up spraying them you should wait a week for the weeds to start to die. This ensures that the chemical has enough time to get to the roots and fully kill the weed. Let me know if you have any other questions! -Jack

How much sod do I need for a 100x25 lot?

You would need 2500 square feet of sod. Thanks!

How much for 109 by 76 feet

Hi! For a price quote, please give our office a call at (630) 904-1017 Thanks!

How much sod do I need for 32 foot round pool?

You would need just under 900 square feet to cover that circle. (Assuming you are removing pool and want to sod the dirt circle). Thanks!

I have a big tree in my front yard which give off a bit off shade in the mornings. what sod would you recommend.. I also have a large area behind the house what grass seeds would you recommend...my sod area is 2800 sq ft how much rolls do I need (chicago)

If it gets afternoon sun you I would use the HD2000 Kentucky Bluegrass. You would need 280 rolls which would be just under 5 pallets of sod. Thanks!

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HD2000 Kentucky Bluegrass Sod - Central Sod Farms

Expert Reviewed

Three Methods:Selecting Sod by ClimateEvaluating Your Specific LawnGetting Good SodCommunity Q&A

If your lawn is patchy, worn out, or dying, you're probably thinking about replacing it. Some homeowners opt for reseeding their yards, but many choose to lay new sod. Sod offers many advantages over a reseeded lawn, since it is installed while in optimum health and sown closely to limit weed infiltration. But it does usually cost more and it takes a bit of work to install, so its important to make the right sod choice. Factor in your climate and the particular conditions and functions of your yard, and find a knowledgeable supplier who can help you make the best decision.

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Tuck the edges of each strip of sod into one another. This will keep the edges from curling. All exposed edges should be covered in topsoil or mulch to help prevent it from drying out.

Question

Why is there netting in the sod?

Professional Landscaper

Expert Answer

The netting helps hold the sod together for harvesting. It is laced in the soil at the field and seeded over it.

Question

Should the backing on the sod be black or brown?

Professional Landscaper

Expert Answer

The backing usually indicates what soil base the sod was grown in. Most often, the darker color is more clay based and the lighter color more loam based.

Question

What is the length and width of a piece of sod?

wikiHow Contributor

Community Answer

Usually 2 ft. x 5 ft. Any bigger and it would be too heavy for most homeowners to use, especially if you're doing a entire lawn.

Question

Can I lay St. Augustine over existing grass?

wikiHow Contributor

Community Answer

Not recommended. St Augustine is high-maintenance grass that requires a good base and lots of water. You could seed with Zoysia and it will fill in with the existing grass, it is very low maintenance.

Question

Which type sod thrives best in limited light?

wikiHow Contributor

Community Answer

Fescue varieties are a good choice for shadier areas. In warmer climates, Bahia might be a good choice.

Question

What kind of sod turns brown in winter?

wikiHow Contributor

Community Answer

Bermuda turns brown in winter as it goes dormant. A lot of people plant Rye grass in their Bermuda so the grass looks green in winter. In spring, the Bermuda comes back.

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3 Ways to Choose Sod for Your Yard - wikiHow

Tall fescue grass is a common choice for sod production, residential lawns, and sports turf. It easily adapts to a broad range of environmental conditions and sod types. Tall fescue performs in sun and shade, handles moderate drought, and resists insects and diseases.

At California Sod Center, we harvest tall fescue grass in Corona, CA. This deeply rooted, green grass has a high wear tolerance and the ability to withstand summer temperatures. When properly maintained, tall fescue looks great where heat, humidity and disease would normally prevail.

Our Superior Fescue sod incorporates a variety of tall fescue grasses. For the sod to hold together, it needs grasses with rhizomes. Rhizomes refer to roots that grow both above and beneath the soil. When sod is harvested, the root system is cut. The rhizomes hold the sod together to keep it from falling apart. They also help repair the sod by forming new growth when exhibiting damage, thinning, or bare spots. Our Superior Fescue sod not only repairs itself, but deep roots help save watering time.

California Sod Center prides ourselves on delivering quality fescue grass in Corona, CA. We use the latest technology to provide sod rich in color, thickness, and texture. Our harvesting machines cut 8 sq. ft. rolls of sod pieces.

Please note that we do have a minimum delivery quantity in place. For orders over 1000 square feet, any shipping costs will be waived.

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Superior Fescue | California Sod Center

Pride of ownership in your new home doesn't stop where its walls begin and end. From the front curb to your lot lines, your new lawn echoes your commitment to this investment and the statement it makes. Whether you inherited a less-than-stellar lawn or you're starting with bare soil after new construction, there's no better time to get your lawn on track. Understanding the differences of sod versus seed sets a course for the lush, vibrant lawn you aspire to grow.

Get to know your soil and its challenges before you move on to sod or seed. Take a tip from the pros and test your soil; it's an integral part of any successful lawn project. Test results and recommendations eliminate guesswork with an in-depth look into essentials such as soil pH, organic matter and potential availability of necessary nutrients. With your starting point confirmed, you can fertilize and amend your soil with confidence and improve its ability to support dense, healthy grass.

With sod, a sod farmer does the growing for you. Harvested sod consists of mature grass and a soil layer, held together by netting or severed grass roots. It's sold in ruglike rolls ready to be unfurled, and it comes with a unique set of pros and cons:Advantages of sod

Pennington is committed to helping you grow the finest lawn possible. With a hand from Pennington's educational resources and premium lawn and garden products, your new lawn can be everything you want it to be.

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Which is Better: Grass Seed or Sod? - Pennington.com

Turf likes a well-aerated base that's slightly acidic (with a pH between 6 and 7.5) and nutrient-rich. And the only way to know what kind of soil you've got is to test it. For about $15, your local extension service will send a soil sample to a lab for analysis; results will come back within a week or two and indicate precisely what amendments you should add and in what quantity.

Then it's time to buy your sod. Depending on where you live, you can order it from a garden center or directly from a sod farm. It will generally be a mix of two or three turf grasses, chosen for optimal color, texture, and heartiness (be sure to tell your supplier if your yard's in partial or full shade). Ideally, sod should be delivered within 24 hours of being cut and be laid the same day. Measure your yard carefully so you can order the right amount, with some overage (about 5 percent) to account for cutting around curves.

Count on one weekend to prepare the soil and another to lay the turf. If your yard is covered with patchy grass, you'll need to remove it first. This is best done with a sod cutter (available from your local rental yard for about $70 per day), which slices it off below the roots. While you're at it, you'll want to rent a rototiller (about $55 per day). You'll also need a sod-cutting knife with a 2-inch blade, a spreader, an iron rake, compost, and other soil amendments, including fertilizer and lime, depending on what your soil analysis dictates. Two people should be able to cover 1,000 square feet in a day; get extra hands if you plan to lay more than that.

Read on for our step-by-step instructions for rolling out a lasting carpet of green.

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How to Sod a New Lawn | This Old House