Tips On How To Lay Sod In Your Yard

Laying sod is the way to get an instant lawn. Whether you have just a few bad patches or you want to completely re-do your whole yard, there are a few things you should consider before taking on this labor-intensive task.

Should I Remove the Old Grass First?

There are a couple of ways you can go about laying sod. You can remove the old grass first and lay sod on the bare ground. Or, you can lay it over the existing grass. I would recommend the former. Yes, I know it's easier to just put sod over the existing grass, but if you were going to go through all the trouble and expense of installing sod, why not give it the best chance to grow into a lush lawn?

Why is Removing the Old Grass First Better?

1. Well, if you feel your lawn and soil are having problems in the first place, laying the sod over them is just masking the problem, not correcting it. Before long, it will rear its ugly head again, after you've already spent a lot of time, money and effort into it. Just bite the bullet and do it right the first time.

2. If you are only sodding a portion of your lawn, laying it down over existing grass will make your lawn uneven.

3. In order for your sod to properly integrate into the ground, you don't want a layer of old grass getting between the sod and the nutrient-rich soil.

4. Covered by a layer of new sod, the old grass underneath will not get enough sunlight and start to die. If it decomposes slowly, you'll be left with a slimy layer of grass that can affect how your expensive new sod will grow.

5. If you are doing the whole lawn with a new species of grass, you don't want weeds or the old grass specie cropping up through your new sod.

For a few hours of hard work, you can transform your lawn by laying down sod. It is much more expensive, but for those of us who want instant gratification, nothing beats sod. Just remember to protect your investment by maintaining it properly. Keep the new sod well-watered and spread some fertilizer to help it grow.

By: Mike C. Palmer

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Mike C. Palmer is a lawn and garden enthusiast. He blogs about lawn care tips, writes in-depth reviews on lawn mowers, and reveals where to purchase lawn mowers for up to 57% off! Go here to read hundreds of unbiased reviews and complaints about lawn mowers, including those recommended by Consumer Reports => www.tigerfdn.com/consumer-reports-recommended-lawn-mowers.