SOIL PREPARATION:
- Remove all rocks, roots, debris and other foreign matter large enough to interfere with soil preparation.
- Add soil amendments, if necessary, and incorporate into the top six inches by discing or rototilling.
- Backfill and thoroughly settle all trenches and level to a rough grade.
- Pre-irrigate to wet soil to a depth of from 8-10 inches. Allow soil to dry to a workable condition so that it is damp, but not muddy.
- Bring field to a finish grade allowing 1 inch below sidewalks, etc.
- Roll with roller to create a smooth and firm soil bed. Soil should be sufficiently firm so that footprints, tire marks, etc. will be minimized.
SOD INSTALLATION:
- Broadcast ammonium sulfate (21-0-0) at the rate of 7 pounds per 1,000 sq. ft. evenly over the soil surface just prior to sod installation.
- Sod should be laid as soon as possible after arrival at the site and should not be left in rolls on pallets without protection from the hot sun or drying winds.
- Lay sod in brick like fashion so that end joints are staggered. Joints should be placed together so that a tight fit occurs, but not so tightly that buckling will occur. No voids should be left between adjacent pieces of sod.
- Roll the sod to ensure a good contact of the sod with the soil beneath.
- Within 30 minutes after installation it will be necessary to begin watering the newly installed lawn. It is imperative that the newly laid sod and its roots system never be allowed to dry out durning this critical period.
- Following installation, the sod should be watered daily for the first week, making sure each irrigation penetrates the sod and wets the soil beneath. During extreme heat, it may be necessary to water the new sod multiple times each day so the sod and the soil beneath are kept damp at all times during the first two weeks.
- Depending on the time of year, the new sod will need its first mowing within 10 days to 2 weeks following installation. Discontinue the watering until the lawn will support the weight of the mower without marking the new sod. Your mower should be set to obtain a finished height of approximately 1.5" to 2".
SOD MAINTENANCE:
- The lawn itself is an excellent indicator to determine irrigation needs, dry areas will appear darker in color or wilted. Test with a pencil or screwdriver, as neither will penetrate dry grass.
- For top performance and appearance, your sod lawn should be fertilized as soon as possible each spring (March or April), using Ammonium Sulfate 21-0-0 at the rate of 6 pounds per 1,000 sq. ft. Fertilizer should be applied monthly through September, with the exception of June, July and August when it is extremely hot. The last fertilization of the year, in October, should be with a complete fertilizer such as 16-16-16 or 15-8-4 at the rate of 7-8 pounds per 1,000 sq. ft.
