Sodding installation can be an intimidating project. But it’s also a great way to quickly get a lush lawn.
If you’re looking to save money on a professional service, consider taking on the task yourself. This article will cover some of the main factors to keep in mind when installing your sod.
Soil Conditions
Sod needs to be laid in well-drained soil free of rocks and debris. The soil should be prepared by rough grading and incorporating appropriate amendments. It should then be tilled and leveled. Finally, it should be rolled for compaction and smoothness. After all this work, the soil is ready for sodding or seeding.
If possible, sod should be installed within 48 hours of delivery and on the same day as it is cut at the farm. This will ensure that the sod is fresh and that the roots have a chance to bond with the soil before the first frost. It is also important to water new sod frequently. This is particularly critical in summer when the sod will be prone to drying out quickly.
To minimize the risk of sod drying out, it is recommended that homeowners water sod twice a day for an hour during the hottest part of the day. This will ensure that the sod is kept continually wet and will provide a strong root system to resist weeds and disease.
A good quality sod will establish itself in 30-60 days, but it can be difficult for the new lawn to survive if it is not properly maintained. It is important to refrain from fertilizing for the first month after installation. Until the sod has established, the roots will have trouble taking up nutrients and fertilizer can burn or leach through the young roots.
It is also a good idea to lay the sod in a brick pattern and stagger the seams. This will help to prevent weeds from pushing through the seams and it also looks nicer than a grid pattern. The seams will disappear as the sod matures. It is also a good idea to use a utility knife or box cutter to cut oddly shaped pieces and to get around corners. This will reduce the amount of labor required and will also ensure that the edges of the sod are tight against each other. The sod should then be lightly tamped down to remove air pockets and promote soil-sod contact.
Shape of Yard
Sodding your yard is a great way to transform the appearance of your home and improve curb appeal. However, it can also be a time-consuming and costly process. Sod installation requires extensive lawn prep that includes removing existing grass and weeds, adding topsoil to low spots, and fertilizing or amending the soil. It also involves raking and brushing the entire area to ensure a clean slate for the new sod to be laid. The type of sod you choose and the size of your lawn are other major factors that will affect your total cost.
Square or rectangular lawns are the most cost-efficient to sod, as they require fewer cuts than curved edges or irregularly shaped areas. If you have a sloping lawn, it’s best to install sod perpendicular to the slope, which will help prevent puddles and erosion. It’s also important to weed the area before installing sod and to use a phosphorus fertilizer to encourage root growth. However, excess phosphorus can wreak havoc on aquatic ecosystems and many states have banned it altogether.
The shape of your yard will also impact the amount of time it takes to lay sod and how much sod you need. A large yard will require more sod than a smaller one, and if your lawn is shaped differently than the typical rectangular or square design, it may take longer to install because of the extra cutting.
You’ll also need to consider whether your yard has limited or restricted access, as it will affect the amount of time and labor required to get sod from a truck to your lawn. This can be especially expensive if you have a narrow pathway or driveway that the sod will need to pass through.
Ultimately, professional sodding is the most effective and economical option for homeowners who want to achieve a lush-looking lawn. A landscaping company has the experience and equipment necessary to do a thorough job, while saving you the cost of renting or purchasing equipment and the time and labor of doing it yourself. The cost of a new lawn is an investment in your property, so be sure to weigh all of your options before choosing to DIY or hire a landscaping company.
Delivery Fees
For homeowners looking to install a new lawn, sod is a great option. It’s a little more expensive than grass seed but it is much quicker to establish and will provide a beautiful, green yard in just days. Sod installation costs vary depending on the size of the yard, type of grass, soil conditions, delivery fees and labor.
Sod installation is best done in the spring and fall when the ground is soft enough to lay sod. If you are looking to have sod installed in the winter, your installer may charge more for the project because of the increased chance of frost and snow damage.
The average yard is 1/6 of an acre or 8,712 square feet. Angi and HomeAdvisor state that the total cost of sod and installation for this size yard is $1,072 to $2,984. This range is due to several factors such as grass type, site accessibility needs, shape of the lawn and ground preparation work needed.
Yard size can affect sod installation prices because a larger yard requires more sod to cover it. This is also true if the yard is oddly shaped or has many landscaping features. It takes extra time and effort to measure these types of yards properly and ensure that the sod is ordered correctly. Additionally, slopes and hills will require more sod because it’s more difficult to get the sod to take root in uneven terrain.
In order for sod to thrive, the soil must be of high quality. Many installers will test the pH of the soil in your yard before laying sod. Soil testing kits can be purchased for between $12 and $20 at most home improvement stores. Alternatively, local agricultural cooperative extension offices may offer these tests for free or at a reduced rate.
Other preparation steps such as fertilization and soil amendments may be required before sod is laid. These items are not usually included in the sod installation price but can be an additional charge. It is important that these steps are taken seriously as skipping these can cause sod to die quickly.
Labor
While some homeowners choose to lay their own sod, it’s usually best to hire a professional landscaper. This is especially true for a new lawn because the process can be very detailed and requires a high level of skill. During the sodding process, landscapers will remove existing grass and debris, prepare the soil, install a sprinkler system, and lay the sod in an attractive pattern. Those who choose to DIY their sodding may find that they spend more time on the project than is necessary and have trouble with laying the turf correctly.
The type of sod that’s installed will also affect costs. Typically, bahia and ryegrass are cheaper varieties that grow well in most climates. Zoysia, centipede, and Kentucky bluegrass are higher-priced sod types that do well in many areas. St. Augustine is a popular choice for coastal areas because it tolerates humidity, salt, and sandy soils.
A homeowner’s sod installation cost will depend on the size of their yard and the shape of the property. Yards with circular edges, slopes or hills will require more sod to account for the extra surface area. This can significantly increase the total cost of the project. In addition, if there is limited access to the yard, it’s likely that the installer will charge more for labor.
It’s important for homeowners to consider all of the factors that can impact the price of their sodding project when planning a budget. Homeowners should also weigh other lawn options, such as reseeding or rototilling, when making a decision. Reseeding is less expensive than sodding and can help to thicken an existing lawn or fill in dead spots. However, it’s not as fast-growing as sodding and can take a year or two for the new grass to fully mature.