how do you lay sod in colorado

• Begin installing sod along an edge, furthest away, to minimize the amount of traffic on the prepared soil and newly installed grass.
• Stagger the sod in a brick like pattern so that the seams are offset. Keep ends and sides of the sod butted together tightly without overlapping. ...
• Sod may be cut with a knife to conform to curved boundaries. It is easiest to cut from the dirt side of the sod. ...
• In warm and dry conditions we recommending a light watering of the installed sod as you work to keep the sod from drying and shrinking during the installation. ...

How to lay sod in a lawn?

How to Lay Sod. 1 1. Remove the Old Grass. Before laying sod, the old grass and a bit of the old soil beneath it has to be taken away. The goal is to end up with a ... 2 2. Prepare the Soil. 3 3. Lay the Sod. 4 4. Neaten the Edges. 5 5. Water Frequently. More items

How deep should soil be removed before laying sod?

Before laying sod, the old grass and a bit of the old soil beneath it has to be taken away. The goal is to end up with a level stretch of soil that is about an inch below the surrounding surfaces.

When is the best time of year to lay sod?

You can successfully lay sod during any season and we’ll explain how here. The early fall or mid-fall tends to be the best time to plant sod. This is because the temperatures have cooled down from the summer highs and you tend to get more precipitation during these months.

How do I ensure proper establishment of my new sod?

Maintaining consistent moisture levels in all areas of the lawn will ensure proper establishment. In order to achieve consistent moisture levels fine tuning of the irrigation system and close observation will be required for success. Immediately after all the sod is installed, water the lawn until it is good and soaked, usually 45 to 60 minutes.

How do I prepare my soil for sod in Colorado?

Sod CareBegin by removing all old lawn, rocks, weeds and any other debris. ... Establish your rough grade, directing drainage away from any buildings and eliminating any low spots.Spread 3 to 5 yards of soil amendment for every 1000 square feet. ... Rake and fine grade the surface to smooth uneven areas.More items...

What is the best time of year to lay sod in Colorado?

fallAs long as you choose the right type of grass variety, sod can be safely installed in Colorado before the first frost, in fall, but the best time for sod installation is in spring or in milder weather periods throughout the growing season – the important thing is to have strong grass roots before the soil freezes and ...

How late in the year can you lay sod in Colorado?

You can install a sod lawn anytime during the year when the ground can be tilled and irrigated. There is no need to wait for a certain season to put in a new lawn.

What should you put down before laying sod?

0:193:01Laying Sod & How to Prepare Soil For Sod | The Home Depot - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIn about two or three inches of organic matter like fertiliser or lime depending on your testMoreIn about two or three inches of organic matter like fertiliser or lime depending on your test results.

Do I need to rototill before laying sod?

Do You Need to Rototill Before Laying Sod? It is not always necessary to till before you lay sod. If you have healthy soil with high quantities of sand or loam, your lawn likely doesn't need tilling before sod install.

How long does it take for sod to root?

10-14 daysHow long does it take new sod to root? Your new sod should root within 10-14 days of application. This is also when you should mow your new lawn for the first time after laying sod. Be sure to set your mower to the highest setting possible in order to avoid cutting it too close to the root.

Can you lay sod in the winter in Colorado?

The root system is still growing in winter As long as the grade is set, you can lay sod on frozen ground. With Colorado's exceptional combination of sunshine and heavy, wet snow in the late winter months your yard will receive plenty of water, which is imperative during the first few weeks while it's establishing.

What kind of grass grows best in Colorado?

6 Best Grass Types for DenverTall fescue.Fine fescue.Kentucky bluegrass.Perennial ryegrass.Buffalograss.Blue grama.

Is it better to sod or seed?

If the lawn consists of more than 40 to 50 percent weeds or dead grass, then it's better to start over with new sod. However, if approximately half or more of your lawn appears healthy, it's likely best to plant grass seed and manually get the weeds under control.

How do you lay sod for beginners?

Prepare the soil For a warm-season grass, any time of the year is an excellent period to set-up sod. Use a mini tiller to remove a surface layer of 6 to 8 inches (15-20 cm) of soil. Then, lay out 2 inches (5 cm) of compost, approximately 2 to 3 inches (5-7.5 cm) of sand. This underlay will improve drainage.

Do I need to put topsoil down before sod?

You need to add topsoil before laying sod if your existing topsoil is less than 2 inches (5 cm) deep and the soil below that is mostly clay or sand. Sod will struggle to root in extremely sandy or clay soil, so adding topsoil will help your grass flourish.

Will sod grow on hard dirt?

When your yard is covered in hard dirt, the sod isn't likely to thrive, although it might not die. Instead, loosen and prepare the dirt so your sod can establish quickly and provide you with a lush, full lawn.

Can you lay sod in the winter in Colorado?

The root system is still growing in winter As long as the grade is set, you can lay sod on frozen ground. With Colorado's exceptional combination of sunshine and heavy, wet snow in the late winter months your yard will receive plenty of water, which is imperative during the first few weeks while it's establishing.

What temperature is too cold for sod?

Freezing temperatures are too cold for laying sod. Although sod can be harvested and laid in late fall, when morning frost is present, if daytime temperatures are consistently below 32℉ (0℃), it's too late for sod installation. Sod can be installed as long as daytime temperatures are consistently above freezing.

What kind of grass grows best in Colorado?

6 Best Grass Types for DenverTall fescue.Fine fescue.Kentucky bluegrass.Perennial ryegrass.Buffalograss.Blue grama.

Can you lay sod over existing grass?

People often think that laying sod over an existing lawn makes sense and saves time. In fact, laying fresh sod over an existing lawn is no shortcut and could kill your sod and cause you twice as much work. Removing your old lawn before laying new sod is crucial for a healthy root system.

When is the best time to lay sod in Colorado?

When the sod is laid in the fall, it can be properly watered and tended to prior to the first rains and snows.

What is the weather like in Colorado in spring?

The springtime in Colorado can range from snow showers to rain, mild sun to scorchers. In the spring, everything begins to sprout but sometimes late snow or freeze can hurt tender new growth.

Cooler Temperatures Reduce the Risk of Sod Overheating

Cooler autumn temperatures reduce the risk of sod overheating or drying out during the day. Also, without the summer heat scorching moisture out of the soil (and with a bit of luck a little rain in the forecast), you’ll likely need to irrigate your new sod less than you would if you planted it in July.

Lay Sod in Early Fall to Ensure a Developed Root System

Sod usually requires two weeks for rooting to start and six weeks for a deep network of roots to grow. So you’ll need to keep an eye on the calendar, as it’s essential to give your turf enough time to develop a root system before the soil freezes, check here to see the latest fall average frost and freeze dates in Colorado.

Sod Laid in the Fall Will Require More Watering

Because an autumn-planted lawn’s roots don’t extend deep into the soil where winter moisture lies, it’s essential to continue to irrigate the lawn through the winter months. Depending on the snowfall amount, homeowners may need to irrigate their freshly planted lawns two or three times a month. Check out our guide on how to water new sod.

What is sod in a yard?

Sod is a layer of established grass that is dug up with roots and some soil still attached. Sod farms harvest it in long strips and roll it up, soil side out. You should always buy sod that can be harvested and delivered the same day you will be installing it in your yard.

How long does it take for sod to grow?

Laying sod, on the other hand, is a path to near-instant gratification. Instead of waiting 6 weeks for seed to grow, you get a finished-looking lawn right after you complete the job.

What happens if you stand on sod?

If you stand on the newly laid sod, your body weight will cause the sod to shift, leaving gaps between the edges. 4. Neaten the Edges. When you finish laying all of the rolls, the edges around your space probably won’t be straight. No problem!

How to get better water retention on sloped property?

If your property is sloped, you’ll get better water retention if you lay the sod horizontally across the slope rather than vertically down the slope. Make sure that you don’t walk on the newly placed sod while you’re laying it out. You should stand on the bare soil, lay the sod in front of you, and back up as you go.

How to tell if sod is dehydrated?

Signs include: a purplish tint, blades turn gray and footprints are left when walked upon, the sod rolls begin to shrink and gaps form between rolls, or grass blades turn straw in color.

What is the most important step in a lawn?

Proper soil preparation is the most important step for a successful lawn. The goal is to provide a good base in which the grass roots can vigorously establish and grow.

How to stop grass from turning yellow after mowing?

So if it is very long, raise the blade on the mower and mow, then lower the blade (no shorter that 3 inches) and mow again. Mowing off too much of the blade at one time can cause shock to the lawn and may create a dead spot in the lawn. If the grass appears yellow after mowing you are cutting off too much.

How long does it take to mowing a lawn after a sprinkler system is installed?

The 1st mowing should occur within the first 10 to 14 days after installation. Do not let the lawn get too long where the blades begin to lay down or your mower cannot handle the job.

How many passes to mow a lawn?

It is necessary to stop watering for a period of time to allow grass to dry and the ground to firm up enough to be mowed.It may also be necessary to mow the lawn in two passes for the first mowing, you do not want to mow more than the top 3rd of the blade at one time.

Can you overwater sod?

It is important to note that areas of your lawn that are well shaded will use significantly less water so be careful to not overwater these areas. Overwatering will keep the sod from growing roots which will lead to dead spots. Watch your sod closely for signs of dehydration (not enough water).

Do you need to water sod differently than established lawns?

The following information is provided as a general guideline. Remember that no two lawns are exactly alike and conditions can vary greatly from one area of your lawn to another. Newly planted sod needs to be watered much differently than established lawns.

How do I lay sod in the summer?

Here are some key things to be aware of when laying sod in the summer: 1 Keep your lawn moist, but do not overwater it—if you do this, it will be susceptible to disease. 2 Water your lawn early in the morning, midday and early afternoon to help make sure it does not dry out. 3 Taper back watering in the shadier spots since these areas are more prone to fungus and disease pressure. 4 Be sure to fertilize your lawn to promote healthy rooting and establishment. We recommend our Lawnifi New Lawn Starter Box for proper lawn nutrition.

When is the best time to lay sod?

Laying sod in the early fall or mid-fall tends to be the best time to lay sod. This is because the temperatures have cooled down from the summer highs and you tend to get more precipitation during these months. There is plenty of time between fall and winter for the sod to root and establish prior to dormancy which means in the winter, ...

What is a lawn starter box?

The New Lawn Starter Box is designed for newly sodded, seeded or plugged lawns. The box contains three bottles of liquid fertilizer powered by Catalyst Technology TM to nano-size the nutrients for efficiency and effectiveness. The two bottles of Grow are for improved soil health and the single bottle of Maintain is designed to feed the lawn. The three bottles work together to establish thick, healthy grass. To learn more about the nutrients new grass needs, read When to Fertilize Newly Installed Sod. After the first 30 days of establishment, continue with regular monthly Lawnifi feedings for optimal results during the active growing seasons with the Lawnifi Complete Program 9 Bottle Annual Fertilizer Subscription. The annual subscription includes three seasonal boxes for spring, summer and fall.

When does sod green up?

Your sod will not green up until the spring. Do not be concerned about this. You will need to continuously water the grass throughout the winter and its dormancy. Cold, dry winds can dry out the roots quickly and cause major issues.

Can you lay sod in the winter?

How to Lay Sod in the Winter. A good number of people, particularly in the south where warm season grasses are grown, believe that laying sod in the winter isn’t possible. People think that either the sod is brown and therefore dead, or that they don’t need to water it—both of those statements are wrong. When laying sod in the winter in the south, ...

Can you freeze sod before planting?

Make sure there are no more opportunities for a freeze before laying new sod. Be sure to keep an eye on weather. You will want to make sure that you keep your sod extra moist to maintain root health—especially if you get an early hot day. Water shadier spots less than the sunnier spots to help reduce disease.