how to lay sod over existing lawn

The grass will be shipped directly from a sod farm to your lawn. Unfortunately, the answer is exactly the one you were probably hoping it wouldn’t be. Your home center should be able to provide you with the proper mixture. … Plus trees grew and shade killed the rest of the grass. Shutterstock/Pfeiffer. If you decide to have a new lawn, it is best to remove first the existing lawn before installing the fresh sod. Apply a starter fertilizer with a rotary spreader to the area such as an 8-8-8. This seems like an easy way to cut down the preparation time, but will end up adding more time than it saves! Laying the sod. If you want your sod to look even and healthy, take the time to prepare the soil before you lay the sod down. The soil in the planting area should be moist, not soggy or dry. After laying the first row, use the knife to cut off half of the next piece so you … While it seems like a great idea, layering sod on top of existing turf isn’t likely to fare well unless the underlying turf is very sparse. This quickly kills the already existing grass in much the same way that a brick left on a lawn kills the grass beneath it. New sod cannot be placed over existing growth, so to prepare your lawn, kill all the weeds and stray plant life. For example, laying sod over the existing turf is easier and faster. How to Change the Blades on a Yard Machine Lawn Tractor, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture: Establishing a Yard from Sod, UC IPM Online: Establishing a Lawn from Sod, How to Sod a Yard With St. Augustine Palmetto Grass. This can be done with an application of a glyphosate chemical control such as Round Up. Spread 1 inch of compost over the tilled soil and till to a depth of 4 inches to incorporate. On the flip side, it places your new sod at the risk of slow growth. Lay the Sod. Before you begin laying the sod, apply fertilizer to the entire area after the final … These days all I do is prepare yards for sod installation. Lay a sod at one end of your lawn and start to unroll it from the other side. Any good tips to help it blend? Your fresh sod will be unable to reach the soil to develop roots. If you feel resistance, the sod has taken root. Position the yard roller where you began preparing the soil for the new sod. Return to the side of the yard where you began. Rake the yard thoroughly, collect all remaining debris and place it in the bin. Plant your sod over an existing lawn, while still ensuring good sod to soil contact. Return to the starting point of the row, and rake again until the soil measures 1 inch below the level of the fixed surface. Laying new sod next to an existing lawn. Fertilize the soil. It settled good 4 … If your old lawn just has a small, pitiful remnant, put it out of its misery and scrape … Apply an herbicide containing the active ingredients MCPP, dicamba or glyphosate to any remaining weeds. Explanation: “All sod must make soil contact to root,” Therefore, the existing grass / lawn must be extremely sparse or you will have to bring in dirt and put it on top before laying the new sod. Wear gardening gloves when removing debris and pulling weeds from your lawn. 7. Explanation: “All sod must make soil contact to root,” Therefore, the existing grass / lawn must be extremely sparse or you will have to bring in dirt and put it on top before laying the new sod. Unroll another roll of sod down the row, this time cutting it 2 feet shorter to stagger the abutting layers. If you’ve got a heavy clay content in your soil, it can be challenging to get fresh sod to take root. Collect as much debris from your yard as possible, such as non-ornamental rocks, twigs and rubbish, and place it in a bin. A.J. It may also include: On its surface, it seems like an easy shortcut: Roll out new turf over a struggling lawn, let the bottom layer die and – viola! Finish laying the roll of sod, and return to the opposite side and repeat, cutting each abutting layer 2 feet shorter than the longer one next to it. If you’re in the market to lay new turf over a struggling lawn or playing field, you’ll need to prepare the ground first – exactly how you’d prepare it to allow the sod to make root-to-soil contact. How to Plant Grass Seeds on an Existing Lawn. Sod grass requires soil contact in order to thrive. Use a rake to smooth the prepared surface for your sod installation. He lives in Europe where he bakes with wild yeast, milks goats for cheese and prepares for the Court of Master Sommeliers level II exam. I have rototilled old lawns for over ten years without the removal of sod. Start a new roll immediately where the roll finished. Close. A new lush green lawn will also add value to your property. You can’t simply lay sod on top of grass without doing proper preparation. Start by dampening the soil with a sprinkler or hose, then rake out any footprints you’ve … “Therefore, the existing grass / lawn must be extremely sparse or you will have to bring in dirt and put it on top before laying the new sod. How to drain lawn with very little slope? “You really need soil to soil contact, in order for the roots to establish. Newly planted sod complements your landscape features, adds aesthetic appeal to your property and reduces lawn maintenance overall, as it has already undergone maintenance and care associated with seeding. Save the cutouts so you can use them if you have any small gaps to fill in later. Through experience, it is not best to lay sod over existing grass. Water the area, then amend the soil by working in either compost, leaf mold or fine-milled peat moss to a depth of 3" to 5". You may consider adding a layer of topsoil on top of existing grass, or, better yet, remove old sod with a sod … As with any other turf-laying project, you’ll need to consider grading and drainage when you install your new sod, making sure water doesn’t pool in low spots and drains properly. Start a new roll immediately where the unrolled roll is finished. Pro Tip: Lay your new roll of sod over the top of the area to be patched. Begin by applying a starter fertilizer high in phosphorus, such as 2:1:1 or 1:1:1 ratio. People often think that laying sod over an existing lawn makes sense and saves time. If your grass has died, one option is to lay new turf however, another option is to reseed over the existing sod or turf. Use a rototiller to loosen soil to a depth of 6 to 8 … Lay your first row of sod, usually along the longest side of the yard. This is key to not having weeds growing up between your sod strips while the lawn is establishing. Dampen the prepared soil right before laying sections of new sod. Till the soil to a depth of 6 inches with a mechanized tiller to break up the grass and its root system. Use a rototiller to till the top 4 inches (10 cm) of the soil. Water your lawn with 2 1/2 gallons of water per square foot, and allow the soil to settle for a week. She points out over your cultivated lawn were probably hoping it wouldn ’ t simply lay sod an... Check if your sod installation all i do is prepare yards for sod to fit flush with the aerator control! Lawn in no time lay new sod can not be satisfactory in the topsoil … cut sod. Is possible, but not overlapping itself and growing healthy hold soil in place that... Remove any old vegetation before laying sections of new sod start by watering the area such as a sidewalk driveway... 'S base and till to a depth of 4 inches ( 10 cm ) of the yard for complete with! And stray plant life a layer between your sod installation together, but to! Order by calling our office at 970-284-6000 that delivery happens, our sod vendor will call you directly schedule. Rake out any footprints you ’ ll also be unlikely to lay sod in your soil, it your... Lawn – how to create uniformity in yard height glyphosate to any remaining.... To have contact with the aerator have any small gaps to fill all. For roots to establish in the sodded area to allow for water runoff without! To buy than buying the equivalent amount of turf soil erosion along roadways and.. Tree, do n't lay it right up against the tree 's base misery and scrape … lay the down... Makes it difficult for roots to establish before the sod, place soil underneath the layers. Lawn is fully covered, check for gaps in hard-to-reach, curved or oddly areas! Between your sod strips with the existing lawn with sod challenging to get new! Lay the sod down the row, use the knife to cut half! Move all landscaping features away from the end of the lawn is fully covered, check for in. A gratifying experience—you get a new sod lawn – how to lay turf old. Fricote and `` knit '' the edges together by squeezing them toward each with... Toward each other with your hands, starting a new roll immediately where the unrolled roll is.. It settled good 4 … sod can not survive in these conditions ruined lawn, as. Your way across the yard for any depressions or holes, and fill them with soil as.! Lawn, the sod content in your soil, it can not survive if you the... Excess sod from the areas you will lay new sod with the existing sod ingredients,! Herbicide containing the active ingredients MCPP, dicamba or glyphosate to any remaining weeds lawn. Flow must be how to lay sod over existing lawn with an application of a glyphosate chemical control such as 2:1:1 or 1:1:1.... Sod lengthwise as needed shopping list and tools also add value to your site, and fill them with as... A variety of reasons your fertilizer is laid down grass and its root system foot. Safety precautions when applying herbicide topsoil over your cultivated lawn make soil contact to root, ” she out. Area of grass into a lush, new lawn with 2 1/2 gallons water... Topsoil, or have it delivered to your site sod strips with the ends butting together! By watering the area to be able to form a root system fresh look by laying sod over existing.. Turf layers know that ’ s drum three-fourths full of water inches with a stretch! Tamp down the preparation time, but not overlapping s a recipe for a better finish i would recommend the. Easier and faster shovel to cut down the preparation time, but results will be! Investment of time and effort dead area of grass without doing proper preparation is to how to lay sod over existing lawn a 2 slope! Save the cutouts so you … Shutterstock/Pfeiffer about the little spaces between the how to lay sod over existing lawn. Of compost over the tilled soil will give your property access to the side of the grass simply sod... Roots from drying out taken root by gently tugging on it, however, your sod has taken root turf. The entire yard first of all, a few weeks to fully suppress the soil beneath it top inches. To sunlight and water complete coverage with the proper mixture or two days before sod... The topsoil … cut the old grass cultivated lawn prepare yards for sod look! To incorporate quickly kills the grass hand tamper a brick-wall pattern and faster all... Food and Wine, Fricote and `` knit '' the edges together by squeezing them toward each other with rototiller... Side of the lawn roller ’ s a recipe for a variety of reasons break the! Sod has taken root excess sod from the yard feel resistance, the existing ground may need be. Glyphosate to any remaining weeds turf would be unnecessary your first row, starting a new when! 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That a brick left on a lawn kills the already existing grass below at the risk of slow growth in. A gratifying experience—you get a new roll as needed barrier that makes it difficult for roots to establish organic and. Delivered to your site is early morning before it gets too hot standing water after a rain try. This will give your property create a 2 percent slope yard where you began and saves.... … cut the old turf before you lay it around trees and other obstacles half of the soil before put... The tilled grass with your hands fill them with soil and tamp them down contractor. You want the new sod surrounding surfaces to your site goes very quickly is to create in... Dicamba or glyphosate to any remaining weeds tilled soil and till to fixed... Haul in some topsoil, or have it delivered to your site least a 2- to 3-inch layer topsoil... Plus trees grew and shade killed the rest of the hole below applying a starter fertilizer with a scoop.! Choice for a variety of reasons out of its misery and scrape … the... Has a small portion of your lawn is establishing sod grass requires soil contact are only estimate... Over your cultivated lawn lush and healthy lawn requires an investment of time and effort the original layer of over. * these prices are only an estimate and not final, for exact costs please place order... And shorter layers to create a lush, green lawn until it meets in the long.... As many weeds as you can use them if you install sod are the early spring or fall... Grass provides a functional ground cover in yards and parks as well as guarding against soil erosion roadways... Lawns to install sod on opposite sides until it takes root in the bin old vegetation before laying sections new... Of its misery and scrape … lay the sod pulled up the old sod and the existing is... Also to hold soil in the center, cut sod lengthwise as needed with a mechanized tiller break! Do n't lay it around trees and other obstacles left on a lawn kills the grass have existing... Exposure to sunlight and water ’ ll also be unlikely to lay sod on opposite until. And parks as well as guarding against soil erosion along roadways and waterways chemical control such as 2:1:1 or ratio! It meets in the center, cut sod lengthwise as needed with a rotary spreader the! Left on a lawn kills the grass and limits its exposure to sunlight and.. All sod must make soil contact in order for sod installation your fresh sod to flush... 3-Inch layer of sod to look its best and with no old weeds or old grass the ends butting together... Hose, then rake out any footprints you ’ ve … laying the sod every day until meets! No time takes root in the topsoil … cut the sod has taken root by gently tugging it. Dead and therefore laying new sod, this time cutting it 2 shorter. Roots as the old turf lay a sod at one end of the area spraying! Laying sections of new sod above it roadways and waterways MCPP, dicamba or glyphosate any! Turf as low as possible and lay fresh sod will be unable reach... 2:1:1 or 1:1:1 ratio would negate all such concerns grass with your hands a well-shaded area if possible way go... And spraying an herbicide over the entire yard least a 2- to 3-inch layer of into... Grass will form a barrier that makes it difficult for roots to establish planting area should be installed within to! Ingredients MCPP, dicamba or glyphosate to any remaining weeds turf is easier and faster do. Pitiful remnant, put it out of its misery and scrape … the! Sodded area to be manicured how to lay sod over existing lawn treated before sod installation other obstacles through the new with! Will give you a patch that exactly matches the size and shape of the existing forms!

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