how do i prepare soil for planting sod?

Answer 1

Kill all weeds by spraying the area with a non-selective weed killer two weeks before planting.
Till the soil thoroughly to a depth of six inches, mixing in the recommended amount of lime and fertilizer (contact your county Extension office)
If you have not had the soil tested for its lime and fertilizer needs, dig in 50 pounds of lime and 20 pounds of 5-10-15 fertilizer per 1000 square feet. In addition, cover the entire area with a layer of composted material one inch thick. Mix the lime, fertilizer and organic matter thoroughly with the soil.
Rake the area smooth, removing rocks, clumps and grassy debris.
Roll the area with a water-filled roller to reveal low spots.
Fill low spots with soil.
Starting along the longest straight edge of the area, lay sod pieces end-to-end.
Make sure each piece is tightly placed next to its neighbor.
Stagger sod pieces in adjacent rows so seams do not line up.
Use a small hatchet or sharp shovel to trim pieces to fit around obstructions.
Roll the entire area once more, to insure good sod-to-soil contact.
Water the sod thoroughly

Answer 2

Good answers. But, I have a question: why do you want to plant sod?

Sure, it's easy, but that stuff costs a fortune. And, you have got to spend a lot of time and money on feeding and watering it. Sod can be very delicate and subject to weather extremes, disease, and infestation.

Not that other types of lawns aren't. But, you can get a much tougher, lower maintenance lawn from seed or plugs.

Planting a lawn from seed or plugs can be more difficult at first. It can be more work in the beginning than just rolling out a nice carpet of beautiful green grass. But, don't rush into buying sod. Ask around, especially those that have put it in. Find out from your local nursery what the alternatives are. Price it out to make sure it's what you want to do.

I've done both and for me, nothing beats a lawn that I planted myself.

Answer 3

The most important rule here is to make sure the soil you are planting it on is loose and not compacted. Grass roots do not like to pass through layers in the soil, so preparing the soil to eliminate a compacted top layer is essential.

Now would be the perfect time to do any necessary correction to the soil such as Ph and adding needed nutrients. Soil testing kits can be found at your county agricultural extension office. Soil tests are inexpensive (7 dollars here in Mi) and will more than payoff in the long run if you are looking for a nice easy to care for lawn. You can be adding the necessary amendments to the soil as you are preparing the top layer.

Answer 4

Rough it up really good. A good tiller does an excellent job. When you lay the sod on do some "light" tamping to push the roots into the soil. Then water.

Answer 5

Rake the area flat. Remove rocks, large weeds and roots. Lay sod, staggered as suggested - looks like a brick wall. Cut edges with sharpened flat point shovel, machete, knife, whatever you have. Water.