Preparation of Site

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 essential in developing a lawn responsive to your maintenance program. In most new and old home construction projects, the projected new lawn area can be compacted from equipment used in the home building or renovation part of construction.

SOIL COMPACTION

Two to four inches of good topsoil is essential for any lawn.  Most soils, particularly light or sandy soils, can be improved by incorporating two to four bales of peat moss per 1,000 sq.ft.  Lawns with little or no topsoil may require more frequent feeding and watering.

TOPSOIL AND PEAT MOSS

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.

LIMESTONE AND FERTILIZERS

A soil analysis is required.  Most soils have an acidic pH and should be neutralized with limestone.  The amount of lime applied depends on 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 fertilizers, such as DeLalio 10-30-15, at the rate of 5 lbs. per 1,000 sq.ft.  Rake or till peat moss, limestone, and fertilizer into the soil to a depth of 2 to 3 inches.

INSTALLING THE SOD

Use care to achieve the proper grade relative to walks and curbs.  A firm surface will ease installation and protect the desired contour.  Avoid creating low areas that may become natural ponds.  A surface free of standing water will greatly insure a long life for any type of turf growing.  Install sod in a brick like fashion alternating joints that are tight, without overlapping.  Be sure to remove any small stones, smoothing the area as a final raking will create a pro job.  Start at any straight line 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 of installation.