Sod installation is a shrubbery project that you can do by yourself. Sodding a lawn or a particular area is also much faster than growing one from grass seeds. The most important part of taking care of new sod is irrigation. Laying sod is a time taking activity which performs hours to install.
In this blog, we will discuss sodding. It is one of the best methods of installing turf glass. The seedbed is not required to take special care of as plants are healthy and mature upon installation.
Importance of Sod Installation
This process is opposed to seeding your grass which has several advantages to getting a sodding service. These are the advantages of SOD installation:
- Less irrigation is required after installation. Hence, cheaper than one from grass seeds.
- Soil erosion is one of the biggest problems for any plant as the top layer of the soil is deteriorating by water or air. Soil erosion is prevented by sod installation as sodded turf grass is an excellent filter of dust and other contaminants.
- Sod installation provides instant lawn to the outdoor space.
Is new SOD for your lawn? However, if you need SOD to control soil erosion, instant lawn or accommodate kids and pets to play. Installation of SOD can take lots of effort when you are going to do it by yourself.
Thus, it is the smartest way to hire a professional for faster and more convenient SOD installation. One such company which provides affordable services is Geo Land Landscaping.
These are the five tips which are important for successful Sod Installation-
- Preparation of soil- For SOD installation, you should level the ground by removing crumbs, weeds and other unwanted materials like large stones and sticks. You can use an iron rake to knock down any high spots, so water can lightly dampen the soil.
Ensure the area you will be installing your new sod is not compacted and smooth. It should be done several weeks before installation, and apply a non-selective herbicide to clean the site of weeds. After existing weeds die, it’s a good idea to till the area or at least “rough it up” with a heavy rake.
It helps alleviate site soil compaction, which allows easier root initiation from sod to the soil. Finally, smooth the site to ensure good root-to-soil contact and prevent a bumpy surface later.
- Temperature– Temperature plays a vital role in installing SOD. SOD should never breach 130 degrees Fahrenheit (54.44 degrees Celsius, to be exact).
Temperature exceeding 130 degrees Fahrenheit will kill the grass plants by damaging the roots. Delivery pallets should remove every 24 hours to prevent overheating. SOD should check every few hours between delivery and installation.
For mild climates, You can lay sod almost year-round as long as the ground isn’t frozen or a frost isn’t expected. The ideal time to lay the sod is when daytime temperatures are cool, between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
In hotter climates, the sod dries out more quickly and suffers more shock. At lower temperatures, the ground might freeze, preventing the roots from becoming established. Spring can be the ideal time for laying sod when the weather is usually cool but not cold.
- Smooth and Water- Grading should be done properly 2 or 3 days before SOD installation, and watering should be done in regular intervals. If installing a large area of turf, periodically wet sod you’ve already laid. Think about the day the sod you’ve laid has had.
It was ripped from its home soil, windblown on a trailer en route to your site, laid onto a warm, bare soil surface and is currently baking in the sun, waiting on you to finish laying the rest. That’s stressful and a good way to have a crispy brown patch on the new lawn!
Ease the sod’s stress by periodically wetting it as you lay it. It’s also not a bad idea to lightly moisten the site before laying the new sod. Hence, the ground will become damp, not a muddy field or soggy puddle.
- Laying a SOD- Laying a SOD is one of the important tips for SOD installation. Unrolled part of the ground should be staggered in brick patterns. Use the knife to cut out holes for in-ground sprinkler heads as needed and trim pieces along planting beds and paved areas. Seams will be less noticeable this way, and the edges will be less likely to dry out and die back.
Topsoil should mount to the bare edges. You should do the soil test to determine the nature of the soil (acidity/alkalinity), as it gives the ph value of the soil. Ph value of the soil will enable us to add the required nutrients to the soil. Thus a gardener can correct deficiencies with the right fertilizer and amendments for SOD installation. One should contact to local county extension officer or agriculture department for free or low-cost soil tests.
- Maintain and repair as needed- Time-to-time maintenance is required after installation of SOD. Removal of unwanted plants like weeds should be done by the process called weeding. Fall is also a great time to fertilize shrubs and trees.
All trees and shrubs need fertilizer because most of them are in mulch beds that use nitrogen as they decompose. The nitrogen cycle plays a vital role here for plant growth. Fertilizers can be chemical or organic and are concentrated nutrients added to soil to encourage plant growth Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium.
The new SOD should water each morning and evening for the first ten days. After the first week, check the root growth. White roots indicate new growth.
Conclusion
SOD installation has become a popular way to upgrade the look of your garden. Geo Land Landscaping provides offers on SOD installation, Bed maintenance and mulching for your Landscaping needs.
We hope you enjoyed this blog while reading and got vital information from us. For further info, Contact us to schedule a consultation today, and we’ll get started!
