The Changing Face of Field Management

Posted on: 6 August 2015

Updating your yard can be a lengthy ordeal, but not every step in the process should be a struggle. One improvement can actually prove to be as simple as stacking squares, but it does take some preparation and a bit of dirty work. Using sod to improve the look of your property can be an amazingly effective means of not only making your lawn look better but can give you a reason to use it more too.

Before Your Lawn Arrives

While it may be easier than a lot of other outdoor improvements, laying sod isn't without its own work. Before it gets to your home you'll need to make sure you have a good place for it to land by removing your old sod. Depending on the amount of time you have for the job and the size of your yard, this can be done by hand or with a sod-cutter you can rent from most home improvement stores.

Once the old sod is removed, rake up any lingering debris that might be unpleasant to walk on or might hinder the growth of your new lawn. With potential problems removed you can go about spreading some good quality top soil, which will help your new sod recover from being cut and transplanted. Further, the nutrient rich soil will promote the growth of new root mass and help keep your lawn greener.

Laying Your Lawn

Just before the installation begins, make sure you give your property a thorough once-over to find any holes you may have missed, uneven areas that need to be leveled, or other problems. Taking care of these before you lay the new grass will help you avoid a bigger project later. Once you're confident all is ready you can begin unloading your stacks of sod and staging them for installation.

For the average homeowner, sod will arrive in rectangular patches that can be laid one after another. All you really need to remember is to lay them with the green side up, and with as little space between them as possible. It's a good idea to work in two person teams, with one person positioning the sod and the other transporting each piece. This way attention can be devoted to the alignment of each section of sod.

Plan installation for a mild period, so that your sod can integrate into your lawn before harsh cold or heat puts a strain on it. Once your new sod is down, avoid over-watering that might wash away the soil beneath it. With a good plan and the right help from local landscaping companies, if you need more information, you can end up with a lush green lawn, without having to spend six months tending seeds.