Installation Tips
1) Prior to delivery of your sod, make sure all ground is level and free from debris. If you are contracting for grading, make sure it is completed before your sod is delivered.
2) Install your lawn immediately upon delivery. Turf is a living plant that requires ground contact and moisture to survive!
3) 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 large sharp knife to trim corners, etc. Avoid leaving small strips at outer edges as they will not retain moisture. On slopes, place the turf pieces across the slope.
4) As soon as you are able to start watering without interfering with your work, do so. Do not wait until you are completely done with your entire lawn to start watering. The longer the sod is installed without receiving water the greater the chance of problems.
5) Water to the point of soil saturation under the sod. We recommend leaving a sprinkler in one area for a minimum of 30 minutes, picking up the sod to see if the dirt under the sod is wet and then continuing to water if necessary until dirt is wet under sod.
6) For further information on watering and mowing newly installed sod check out our maintenance and care page.
7) If you don't feel comfortable installing the lawn yourself call our office and have one of our professional installers do the work for you.
WATERING SCHEDULE FOR SHADE (FESCUE) SOD
1) Remember, water as soon as possible.
2) Water to the point of soil moistness every 3rd to 4th day for the first two weeks after lawn is installed.
3) Shade sod can be damaged by to much water, start with lower amounts of water and only increase watering if the sod looks and feels dry.
4) After first two weeks water every 5th to 6th day as needed according to weather conditions.
Is your home in need of fresh sod? Let us help.
WHEN TO MOW
1) Your new lawn will generally be rooted enough to mow in 10-14 days after installation. As soon as the sod is rooted enough that the mower won't lift the grass up and damage it, start the lawn on a mowing schedule.
2) The basic rule is never remove more than 1/3 of the leaf blade during a single mowing.
3) Mow when grass height reaches 2-1/2 to 3 inches. Set your mower at a cutting height of 1-1/2 to 2 inches.
4) For best appearance, keep mower blades sharp. As mentioned on our installation page, as soon as you are able to start watering without interfering with your work, do so. Do not wait until you are completely done with your entire lawn to start watering. The longer the sod is installed without receiving water the greater the chance of problems. Also don't forget to water to the point of soil saturation under the sod. We recommend leaving a sprinkler in one area for a minimum of 30 minutes, picking up the sod to see if the dirt under the sod is wet, and then continuing to water if necessary until dirt is saturated under sod.
4) For best appearance, keep mower blades sharp. As mentioned on our installation page, as soon as you are able to start watering without interfering with your work, do so. Do not wait until you are completely done with your entire lawn to start watering. The longer the sod is installed without receiving water the greater the chance of problems. Also don't forget to water to the point of soil saturation under the sod. We recommend leaving a sprinkler in one area for a minimum of 30 minutes, picking up the sod to see if the dirt under the sod is wet, and then continuing to water if necessary until dirt is saturated under sod.
WATERING SCHEDULE FOR SUN (BLUEGRASS) SOD
1) Remember, water as soon as possible.
2) Water to the point of soil saturation every other day for the first two weeks after lawn is installed.
3) Keep in mind that reflected heat along buildings dries sod quickly; be sure to water areas more often.
4) After first two weeks water every third to fourth day as needed according to weather conditions.
If you have any questions or concerns about the livability of your sod, Please do not hesitate to call us at 651-784-0500 or e-mail us at sales@alsod.com
FAQs
*IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS THAT ARE NOT ANSWERED HERE, CALL OUR OFFICE*
No it is not absolutely necessary to use top soil. However in certain conditions it may make it easier to maintain a beautiful lawn in the future if you do. In sandy soil conditions the top soil will help hold water and nutrients closer to the soil surface to be used by the grass. In general you will have to water and fertilize more often in sandy soils if you don't put top soil down. In heavier soils like clay, bringing in top soil won't be of much value in regards to moisture retention, but bringing in clean soil to fill in areas that have settled, ruts, or lumpy soil may be beneficial.
Our sod is sold by the square foot. If you know how to figure out square footage of an area just call our office to get a price quote. If you need some additional help, just check out our estimator from the estimator/links page. Or if you are ready to purchase go to our online store.
We recommend installing your sod as soon as possible. Sod is a living plant which if left to long in a pallet will spoil. Do not leave it sit for more than 24 hours, and even less time in hot humid conditions.
If you are wondering how much of a step you want to leave for butting the edge of the sod to sidewalk, edging and curb edges we recommend about 1 inch. The actual thickness of the sod is approximately this amount.
We mention this in our maintenance and care section above, but in general as soon as the grass is rooted enough that the mower won't lift and damage it do so. Also check out our Watering and Maintenance help sheet on the estimator/links page.