how do you roll new sod

• For a large lawn, use a roller to smooth out the new sod after everything is neatly laid. This helps the sod take root in the soil.
• A lawn roller also presses out any air pockets you may have missed.
• Roll one way across your sod, then roll over it perpendicular to that.
• Continue rolling the sod, crossing the horizontal rolls with vertical rolls. You're rolling a grid pattern.
• If you don’t want to rent a lawn roller, you can DIY this step: Use a large piece of plywood to press down sod instead. ...

How do you roll sod into soil?

An easy alternative is to use a sheet of plywood to press the sod into the soil. It can be laid over the sod and walked on -- the plywood distributes the weight evenly, just as a roller does. Rollers consist of a metal drum with a handle that allows it to be pulled easily over the sod. Water is added to the drum to provide extra weight.

Do you have to roll over new sod?

Do You Have to Roll Over New Sod? Installing sod is one of the quickest and easiest ways to turn a barren landscape into a green oasis. However, the soil must be well prepared and the sod installed according to specific protocols to ensure it is established quickly and remains healthy in the long term.

How do I mow my new sod?

If the sod lifts up off the soil, it has been overwatered. Mow once the grass is at least 3 inches (7.6 cm). Mowing before the roots are well established can pull them out of the soil and damage your sod. Wait patiently until the grass is at least 3 inches (7.6 cm) tall, and gently pull up on several areas of sod to confirm it is firmly attached.

How do you cut a piece of sod to size?

Use a box cutter to cut shorter pieces of sod where you need to fill in gaps or lay sod around corners. However, leave the sod pieces as large as possible. Don't cut them into smaller pieces unless you need to, since the smaller pieces are more prone to drying out before they get established. Seam all the edges by firmly rolling them together.

How soon after laying sod do you roll it?

2:083:11How To Use A Lawn Roller After Laying Sod-DIY LandscapingYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd some people only do this once after installing sod.MoreAnd some people only do this once after installing sod.

How do you use a lawn roller on new sod?

Roll each area slowly and carefully just once. Excessive rolling will damage the sod instead of helping it. Rolling eliminates any gaps, loose soil, or air pockets that prevent roots from reaching the soil and getting a good grip as they grow.

Can you use a roller on new grass?

As well, after spreading seed, a roller is the best way to press the seed into the soil and establishing an intimate contact between the seed and the soil. This helps to keep the seed from drying out and is better and easier than trying to cover the seed with a thin layer of soil.

Should I use a roller on new sod?

Rolling in your Sod: Roll the sod roller across your lawn in a grid-like pattern. Rolling your newly laid sod helps sod roots come into better contact with the soil and it removes air pockets.

Should you roll your lawn after laying sod?

If your sod has been installed properly, with care, in any & all weather conditions, it is not necessary to roll the sod after it has been installed. It is not necessary to put top soil along the seams or joints in the sod. We DO NOT recommend this practice. It is crucial to water your new sod!

Is lawn rolling a good idea?

Lawn rolling is useful in the spring when trying to level out minor bumps or uneven lawn areas. Prior to rolling the lawn, add a light top dressing. Lawn rolling is also useful for preparing a bare area for seeding. Use a light roller which will push the seed into the soil to ensure more even germination.

Is a lawn roller necessary?

In a word, no. As lawn care experts, we actually never recommend rolling a lawn, and any reputable lawn maintenance company in your area would agree. Rolling your lawn in an effort to flatten it never achieves what people expect it to do. You would need a steam roller to be able to effectively smooth out bumps.

What is the best time to roll a lawn?

springA heavy roller will compact the soil and only light weight is needed to accomplish the task anyway. The best time when to roll the lawn is in the spring. Roll your lawn in the spring when grass is just coming out of dormancy and the roots are in active growth.

What is Sod?

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 to Lay Sod

Just follow these 7 steps to do a DIY sod installation. Yes, it’s going to take a while (especially step 1), but it’ll be worth it.

7. Overseed the Shady Spots

Since sod farms grow their crop in full sun, the sod that you purchased is likely to be a full-sun grass seed. If you have shady spots in your yard, you will want to lightly overseed those areas of new sod with a shady mix grass seed, such as Scotts® Classic® Grass Seed Sun & Shade Mix®.

How much should I water new sod?

Consistent watering is the key to ensuring new sod is able to grow strong roots. If sod is applied during the summer, it should be watered throughout the day in order to prevent shrinking and drying.

How long should I water new sod?

New sod should be watered for a minimum of 45 minutes immediately after installation to allow both lawn and soil to gather moisture, which will help with the rooting process. During the first couple of weeks following installation, each watering session should last approximately 15-20 minutes at a minimum of two times per day.

How 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.

What is the best time of day to water new sod?

If your schedule allows, watering your lawn in the morning or late evening is ideal. Watering your lawn in the afternoon during the warmest part of the day can cause the water to evaporate rather than being absorbed. A lack of moisture can prevent soil from retaining essential nutrients your lawn needs.

Should I fertilize new sod?

Absolutely! New lawns thrive with the application of quality fertilizer, which works to help create and maintain a sustainable root system that will keep your yard lush for years to come. Liquid fertilizers tend to work best for new sod, since they are able to penetrate the surface of the soil to help condition the area beneath the surface.

Tips and Tricks for Caring for New Sod

In the days leading up to installation, it can be tempting to overwater your lawn in preparation for installation, but this can actually prevent a successful installation, since muddy grounds provide difficult work environments that can lead to inadequate sod jobs. A good rule of thumb is to keep your lawn moist, but not soaked.

Memphis Sod Installation

MidSouth Irrigation and Landscape installs new sod throughout Memphis and the MidSouth. Our lawn and landscape experts will ensure your new lawn is properly installed, and we’ll even provide watering and fertilizing recommendations to help you care for your beautiful new lawn.

How to Install Sod Without Removing Existing Lawn

In my experience if you have an existing lawn it is not always necessary to remove it, in order to install sod,as long as you can level the ground with some organic material.

How to Remove Existing Lawn

Though it is generally thought to be OK to lay sod over an existing lawn, some landscapers and homeowners prefer to remove any existing lawn before installation of sod.

Using Chemicals

Using a glyphosphate like Round Up you can spray your existing lawn, and sod over the dead grass.

Using a Tiller or Bedscaper

If you live where rocks and roots are not an issue, you can use a tiller or bedscaper, to till existing grass into the soil. While your at it add some compost and fertilizer, and mix it in. This type of lawn preparation is timely, but may be the best way to really give your sod a head start.

Using a Shovel (and elbow grease)

If you are really determined to remove that grass, and don't want to use chemicals or can't use a tiller, then a shovel may just be your best option. It’s a lot of work, but it will get the job done. Be sure your surface is level when you are through

Now that you have prepared the surface its time to make sure that your edges are prepared properly

You may have already done this in step one of How to Install Sod, but if you have not be sure to now.

Finally water in your new lawn, and admire your hard work!

Make sure you water in the new sod for at least one hour per day for the first 10 days, otherwise the investment in your new turf grass will most likely perish, as newly laid sod needs tons of water while it is "rooting" to your lawn.

How Can I Keep My Sod From Drying Out?

New sod is prone to becoming dehydrated. If your new sod is installed on top of soil that is dry, it will lose moisture quickly. Dry soil will suck the water out of the sod leaving it under-watered and prone to failure. One way to prevent your new sod from drying out is by watering the ground soil prior to installation.

Watering Tips For New Sod

When caring for new sod proper watering is the key to healthy growth. In general, you should always water the soil prior to installing new sod. This will prevent the soil from sucking moisture out of the roots and causing the sod to fail.

Is It Possible To Overwater Sod?

Grass loves water, however, new sod is different. It is possible to overwater new sod, and it can even happen easier than you expect. New sod has very short roots which makes it harder for it to retain a lot of moisture. It is better to water new sod in a short burst with less, as opposed to large amounts of water at once.

How Long Should You Avoid Walking On New Sod?

Of all the tips we have for caring for new sod, the most important is not walking on it too early. You should keep pets, children, and everyone else off of newly plant sod until at least the first mowing. Watering the sod at regular intervals will help the roots to establish themselves, and until they are firmly entrenched, your sod is vulnerable.

How Long Does It Take For Sod To Take Root?

New sod roots are very short, so it is important to treat them with care and ensure they are not overwatered. Usually, roots will start the process of establishing themselves with a week of installation. In some cases, it can take as long as two weeks for the process to really get underway.

Should New Sod Turn Brown?

New sod is carefully cultivated before it is sold for installation. It is cultivated in an environment that offers a perfect balance of nutrients, sunlight, and moisture which allows it to thrive. New sod in general is very healthy and should not turn brown. But carefully caring for new sod is absolutely critical.

What Fertilizer Is Best For Sod?

New sod should be fertilized approximately five weeks after it was installed. Caring for new sod doesn’t only entail proper watering and mowing, it also includes extra root nourishment. Fertilizing the sod will help the roots continue to establish themselves and it will also support healthy growth.