When it comes to owning a perfect home, many things are at stake. For example, a minor detail such as an ideal lawn can reduce the aesthetic value of your home.
Fortunately, you can achieve the desired beauty by installing a lawn in three ways. You can choose to sow grass seed, plant tiny seedlings at intervals, or use sod. Regarding sowing grass and planting small seedlings, they will inconvenience you since they take longer to grow.
Nonetheless, you can settle on installing sod and see your lawn not only sparkle but also give your family the spacious space they need for fun moments.
Unfortunately, installing sod requires you to pay keen attention to every detail. You want to avoid any rising challenges, wastages, and mistakes when installing your sod. This guide will help you with the details of the four things to remember when installing sod.
1. The Quantity You Need
How much sod you need will vary on the size of your lawn and the area you want to install the sod. The first thing you need to do is measure the place to be covered. You can do this with the help of many smartphone applications available. The dimensions should be square feet or square yards since this is the measure you will use while purchasing sod.
It is also important to note that sods are purchased in pallets that contain 450–500 square feet or as big rolls. Therefore, always buy 5% extra sod of what you think your lawn requires to avoid any challenges.
2. The Best Time to Lay It
Timing is essential when you are laying the sod on your own. Depending on the type of grass, you can lay sod all year round as long as the area targeted is not too wet. Opting for warm-season grasses such as centipede and Bermuda will require much planning since they are dormant during winter.
3. Preparing the Site
Site preparation should come before buying sod. Ensure that the soil is well formulated and all debris and weeds removed, leaving a leveled field. In places where irrigation is needed, ensure that it is in place to reduce losses due to poor growth.
Site preparation also involves conducting a soil test to determine the suitability of the area and the soil. You can hire a professional soil scientist and check the nutrients in the ground to see if the grass variety you plan on laying can support it.
4. Laying the Sod
After purchasing your sod, ensure you install it immediately to prevent desiccation and overheating. Start by spacing the pallets around the field and stagger the ends when using squares or rolls.
For practical installation, avoid creating straight channels oriented down a slope. Instead, orient the first row of sod along a straight edge, or parallel to the front of your home.