Preparation of Site
   
Preparation of Site
TurfGrass Management Calender
DeLalio Seasonal
Lawn Guide
Turf Knowledge
Dura-SOD Maintenance
Good planning will help you establish a beautiful lawn with gratifying results. Always consider established trees, plants, contours for beds, rocks, amount of shade and light exposure. Proper soil preparation is most important in developing a lawn responsive to your maintenance program.
 
SOIL COMPACTION
Any mechanical means (rototill/soil chisel) to break up and relieve the surface compaction or an invisible layer of compacted soil to a depth of eight (8) inches is suggested before sod installation. Remove stones and other debris. This will prepare the soil to accept the new roots once the sod is installed. This task is not to be confused with grading or incorporating soil amendments. You will greatly increase your chances of success by performing this task.
 
TOPSOIL AND PEAT MOSS
Two to four inches of good topsoil is essential for any lawn. Most soils particularly light or sandy soils can be improved by incorporating 2 to 4 bales of peat moss per 1000 sq.ft. Lawns with little or no topsoil may require more frequent feeding and watering.
 
LIMESTONE AND FERTILIZERS
A soil analysis is helpful. Most soils have an acidic pH and should be neutralized with limestone. The amount applied depends on the existing pH, and the pH you are striving to achieve. The correct pH level for lawn and sod areas is between 6.0 and 6.8. Fertilizer applied to the soil will also be more efficiently used by turf when pH levels are optimum.
 
Phosphorus, usually deficient in soils can be brought up to proper levels by applying pre-plant high phosphorous fertilizer. Rake or till peat moss, limestone and fertilizer into the soil to a depth of 2 to 3 inches. Remove stones and other debris.
 
INSTALLING THE SOD
Use care to achieve the proper grade relative to walks and curbs. Firm, but do not compact soil, this will ease installation and protect the desired contour. Avoid creating low areas that may become natural ponds. Complete run off is necessary for the survival of turf grass. Start at any straight line and lay sod butting the joints tightly without overlapping, smoothing the area directly ahead.

After the sod is installed, soak thoroughly. During hot weather or extremely dry conditions, the soil should be moistened before laying the sod. Watering should be started as soon as a sizeable area is installed, or within 30 minutes.
 
 
   
 
SOD WILL HEAT UP DURING WARM WEATHER. CHECK FOR HEAT. USE TOP THREE LAYERS OF SOD ON EACH SKID FIRST. IT IS BEST TO INSTALL SOD IMMEDIATELY.
To keep the sod from over-heating during longer storage, it is necessary to break down the skid into smaller stacks. The internal temperature of full skids of sod is regularly checked before delivery. Heat problems which develop after delivery are due to long term and/or improper storage.