Preparing a Yard for Sod
Laying sod is an effective way to add vibrancy to your yard but many people don’t realize that sod cannot be laid without properly preparing the yard. Preparing a yard for sod isn’t as difficult as it may sound, but is thoroughly necessary before beginning the sodding process. By understanding how to prepare your yard, you can ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible.
Remove Existing Turf
While there are alternatives to removing the existing turf on your lawn, it is without a doubt the best way to prepare your yard for sodding. This will expose the soil, which will allow the sod to take to the earth without difficulty. Removing existing turf requires special equipment, and is thus quite difficult for the average homeowner. A professional should be hired in order to complete this process.
Till in Organic Matter
The next step in preparing your lawn for sodding is to till in organic matter; approximately ½ inch of peat moss is commonly used in order to achieve this. This will assist in allowing the sod to establish itself in the yard once it is laid. Organic matter assists in healthy soil that is loaded with essential nutrients and moisture, and will allow for proper drainage.
Fertilizing
Before laying sod, you should fertilize your soil. This can be accomplished by sprinkling common granular fertilizer, and then raking the soil in order to incorporate it fully. Raking will also smooth out any areas that are uneven, which will result in a much more level yard once the sod is laid.
Moisten Soil
The soil should be moist, but not overly wet before you finally lay your sod. When sod is laid on dry soil, the roots do not grow correctly. You can water the soil throughout the day before laying sod, allowing it to dry overnight.
With a little bit of prep work, you will achieve great results from the fresh sod in your yard.
