You’ve given some thought to how you use your yard. You’ve prepared your yard by tilling, testing and treating the soil. Now it’s time to buy and lay your sod. To calculate how much sod you will need, use this handy online sod calculator.

Choose sod that has a soil layer of approximately ½ – ¾ of an inch. The soil should be moist, but not wet. The grass leaf should be green, not yellow or brown. Feel the sod; if it’s warm, then it has been sitting around too long. In hot weather, protect unlaid turf by placing stacks in shade, covering with moist burlap sacking, and/or sprinkling.

Install your lawn immediately upon delivery. Turf is a living plant that requires ground contact and moisture to survive!

Begin installing turf along the longest straight line, such as a driveway or sidewalk. Butt and push edges and ends against each other tightly, without stretching. Avoid gaps or overlaps. Stagger the joints in each row in a brick-like fashion, using a sharp knife to trim corners, etc. Avoid leaving small strips at the outer edges, as they will not retain moisture. On slopes, place the turf pieces across the slope.

To avoid causing indentations or air pockets, avoid repeated walking or kneeling on the turf while it is being installed or just after watering.

After installing the turf, roll the entire area to improve turf/soil contact and remove air pockets.

Begin watering your new lawn within 30 minutes of installation. Give it at least 1” of water. Water the sod daily, or as often as necessary to keep the turf moist, until it is firmly rooted (about 2 weeks.) Then water the sod as an established lawn.