2007-03-08 07:52:12 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Garden & Landscape
The fist step is to prepare the soil. Run a tiller over it or otherwise loosten it some, and the rake as much of the old grass out as possible. Then level the soil - this will fill in the low spots. The important thing is to give your sod a good root system when you lay it.
You don't say where you live so I can't make any kind of recommendation on the grass itself. Here in the sunny South we use St. Augustine.
Sod is usually sold by the square yard, and it is cheaper if you buy it from a grass farm rather than from Home Depot. The farm should also be able to deliver and lay it for you.
Ask the farm how to water and fertilize to start with.
Any reputable grass farm will be happy to help you with your problem.
2007-03-08 08:28:45 · answer #1 · answered by jim_elkins 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's probably best to kill your existing lawn before laying down sod. Simply spray some Roundup onto your lawn.....wait until it's dead and then rototill the area that's to be sodded. The reason I suggest killing your existing lawn is to make sure you have the same variety of grass growing. Too many people make the mistake of overseeding/sodding over existing grass and then their lawn looks inconsistent.
You should, at this time, add some compost into the soil. The compost adds organic matter as well as beneficial microbes (good fungi and bacteria) that will help with the establishment of your new sod, help aid in nutrient retention, allow water and oxygen to penetrate the soil more readily as well as helping to protect your new lawn from diseases.
After the area has been leveled properly, and before laying down your sod, you should also apply 16 pounds of 6-20-20 fertilzer per 1,000 square feet of sodded area....that will help aid in the root development.
If possible, purchase a pH meter to see if your soil is either acidic or saline. Ideally for turf/lawns, you should have a soil that is slightly acidic (between 6.2 to 6.7 is okay...depending on turf variety). If your soil is below 6.2 (too acidic), apply some lime at recommended rates to raise the pH. IF your soil reads higher than 7.0 or more, try applying some soil sulfur.
The other thing I'd recommend is to install a irrigation system that will properly cover your entire lawn.
Hope you found this information somewhat helpful. Good luck with your new lawn!
-Professional Certified Crop Consultant with over 30 years of experience and a Degree in Plant Science
2007-03-08 08:21:33 · answer #2 · answered by jazzmaninca2003 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wait until the soil dries. Till the soil and either thoroughly incorporate the old sod into the soil or rake it out and dispose. Smooth the seed bed. Apply sod or seed mixture. If using sod be sure to keep damp until it is well established, if seeding use a mulch such as wheat straw(not hay) or peat moss. Apply an appropriate starter fertilizer. Have a soil test performed at your state agriculture dept. and apply lime according to the test results. Don't mow until the soil or seed becomes established and is growing. Don't worry about weeds until the lawn is established; they can be killed later. If you choose to use sod rather than seed don't underestimate how quickly it can dry out. When using seed be aware that some grasses such as bluegrass takes much longer to sprout than other seed such as ryegrass.
2007-03-08 08:15:42 · answer #3 · answered by Buckeye 1984 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The same way I'm going to - when the weather improves. Dig the lawn over and level it. Then lay good-quality turf (from B&Q or anywhere), flattening and levelling it by standing on a plank as you go along. Then water it and wait for it to knit together. Voila!
2007-03-08 07:56:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Buy some already grown SOD and just lay it down like a carpet it will take a week or 2 for the roots to attach to the ground so don't walk on it
2007-03-08 07:56:59 · answer #5 · answered by Samantha 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
dig it over and level it and then apply the new lawn on top or if you are wanting to just put seeds down .
on a dry day mow it best you can and re seed it .mine is same and im just going to trim the grass to see how bad it is and just put more seeds down and make sure the birds stay away.
2007-03-08 07:54:57 · answer #6 · answered by Nutty Girl 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
rototill the ground and clean up. bring in soil, peat moss, and animal manure..{preferably sheep manure} and spread it all over. level and roll. seed and then lime everything and water, then wait.
2007-03-08 08:18:26 · answer #7 · answered by jeannot_poulin 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
have it re-turfed. I should
2007-03-08 08:02:46 · answer #8 · answered by rose_merrick 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋