Laying Your Sod

Sod is a living plant has been harvested leaving fifty percent of its roots behind. It is important that sod be installed as soon as possible following delivery. During hot weather (90° or above), the sod should be installed within 24 hours or it may spoil. In cooler winter temperatures, sod can survive for about a week on the pallet.

Begin installing sod along a good straight edge such as a sidewalk or lot line of the property that has a string stretched from one end to the other. Lay two or three rolls of sod along the straight edge. Then go back to the start and lay another roll along side the first roll you put down. Cut this roll in half and follow this 1/2 roll with a full one. Continue this brick pattern for the whole job. Doing it this way is faster and keeps the seams from lining up, which looks nicer.

Butt and push edges and ends against each other tightly without stretching. To avoid causing indentations or pockets, avoid repeated walking or kneeling on sod while it is being installed or just after watering.

For trimming, use a box cutter type knife. When you finish an area, go over it and look for small holes or seams that are wider than they should be. These can be patched with small pieces of sod from your trimmings.

Sod laid on slopes should be installed perpendicular to the direction of the slope. This prevents water from running down the seams and eroding the soil. Stakes or sod staples should be used to anchor sod on steep slopes, or where flowing water is expected.