How should my soil be prepared?

Answer:

The soil should be free of weeds, old grass, root matter, and large stones. Prepare the surface with a rake to make it smooth. Tamp or roll the surface to make it semi- firm, this minimizes foot prints and wheelbarrow tracks. The final prep will dictate the appearance of the finished sod (smooth contours and gradual changes in elevation). The amount of attention you give to the final preparation stage will dictate the final product.

 

What should I do prior to ordering sod in warmer weather?

Answer:

1. Confirm that you have a fully tested, working irrigation system/water source before ordering/installing sod.

2. You should schedule installations accordingly, so the turf can be put down without delay at the time of delivery.

 

Do I need to put fertilizer down on the soil before installing sod?

Answer: No

1. Putting fertilizer down before installing sod is unnecessary. When watering the sod heavily for the first couple weeks, the fertilizer will get washed down into the soil where the sod can’t use it.

 

What should I do when my sod arrives?

Answer:

1. If site conditions allow, have the pallets placed in a shaded area prior to installation.

2. Plan your layout to minimize employee traffic on the newly laid sod.

3. Direct your crew/helpers on how to install the turf efficiently, working from one pallet at a time. Start at the top and use up the entire pallet of sod before going to the next pallet. (Working off multiple pallets at one time leaves the bottom layers of sod on multiple pallets much longer). The bottom layers trap the most heat, due to the stacking on the pallet. The less time the sod spends rolled up, the better the sod will perform.

 

How do I lay the sod?

Answer:

The sod should be laid like brick work, stagger the seams. Start at a point where you can work your way away from in the initial starting point. This will minimize traffic across the newly laid sod. When rolling out the rolls, curl the inside edge with both hands to help butt the end seams together better. The sod can be cut with a utility knife.

 

How long should I leave the sod on the pallet?

Answer:

1. You should avoid leaving the sod on the pallet for extended periods of time, this creates heating issues within the rolls on the pallet. Heating of the turf can cause the sod to perish if left rolled up for too long.

2. To be certain that your sod will perform to its fullest in any weather conditions, follow this tip:

**All Orders, In All Weather Conditions Must Be Installed And Watered Immediately After Delivery**

 

Can I leave the sod on the pallet overnight in warmer weather?

Answer: NO

1. Leaving the turf on the pallet overnight in warmer weather will cause the sod to perish quickly. Sod needs water, air, and sunlight to survive like any other living plant would.

 

Can I leave the sod on the pallet if it is cooler weather?

Answer: NO

1. It is not recommended to leave sod rolled up for extended periods of time, in any weather conditions.

2. During cooler weather, leaving the sod rolled up for too long will cause the sod to diminish in appearance and perish at a slower rate, but it will eventually perish. Sod needs water, air, and sunlight to survive like any other living plant would. Without these things the sod will perish.

 

Does watering, shade, or covering the sod allow me to leave it on the pallet overnight?

Answer: NO

3. Watering over the top of the pallet will not keep them cool overnight, it cannot penetrate fully through the rolls. The heating starts within the rolls and continues even in the shade. Covering them with a tarp will trap the heat speeding the heating process.

 

What do I do with heated/damaged rolls on the pallet?

Answer:

If any of the rolls of turf look unacceptable or are damaged, DO NOT INSTALL THEM IN THE MIDDLE OF YOUR LAWN, instead, put them together in an inconspicuous area for additional attention. This also helps to keep the appearance consistent in high visibility areas. It is easier to tend to or replace the stressed rolls if they are grouped together in an inconspicuous area, than it is to pull it back up or cut it out in the middle of a project, after it is installed.

 

Some of the sod is ripped or damaged, what do I do?

Answer:

Ripped pieces can be used, just piece the ripped section together. Damaged pieces that are missing sections of grass should be removed and replaced.

 

What can I do to remedy any matted or heated sod rolls?

Answers:

1. Any sod that looks matted down or the grass blades laid over should be lightly brushed to stand the blades up, so air can circulate around them. A leaf blower works well for this. After the grass is stood back up, water immediately and thoroughly.

2. Additional leaf blowing on troubled areas on days 2-3 after installation will help to speed the recovery process.

3. Apply a turf fungicide to stressed areas as soon as possible to avoid disease issues.

 

What is the heated/stressed sod recovery time?

Answer:

Sod that has been heated or stressed prior to install could take up to 7-10 days to fully recover its appearance. It requires additional attention throughout this time to get it back to its healthy appearance.

 

What should I do if the sod doesn’t recover in 7-10 days?

Answer:

After 7-10 days, any sod that still looks unacceptable should be replaced as it has reached too high a temperature to survive.

 

How much should I water my newly laid sod?

Answer:

Your sod should be saturated through for the first couple of weeks. When you lift the corner of the sod, it should be wet underneath. After the initial two weeks of heavy watering, you can reduce the amount of water and apply once daily, keeping an eye out for drier areas or brown edges/seams.

 

When should I water my new lawn?

Answer:

The best time to water is early morning or evening to minimize evaporation. If there are areas that need additional water during the day, those areas should be watered to maintain adequate hydration. Different irrigation systems/sprinklers will apply different amounts of water. Check with your irrigation contractor or check the manufacturer’s specs to confirm application rates/times.

 

If you have any further questions regarding your installation or watering, please call us at 1-800-556-2466