New sod cannot be placed over existing growth, so to prepare your lawn, kill all the weeds and stray plant life. Plant your sod over an existing lawn, while still ensuring good sod to soil contact. – a new, beautiful lawn. The ground should drop 1 foot every 50 feet to create a 2 percent slope. cut any existing grass low, and level out any holes or step dips in the You may consider adding a layer of topsoil on top of existing grass, or, better yet, remove old sod with a sod … “You really need soil to soil contact, in order for the roots to establish. Worry less about the little spaces between the rolls. Cut the sod to lay it around trees and other obstacles. Professional turf layers know that’s a recipe for a ruined lawn, for a variety of reasons. Laying the sod. He lives in Europe where he bakes with wild yeast, milks goats for cheese and prepares for the Court of Master Sommeliers level II exam. Start a new roll immediately where the roll finished. As with any other turf-laying project, you’ll need to consider grading and drainage when you install your new sod, making sure water doesn’t pool in low spots and drains properly. Additionally, the grade is extremely important; the water flow must be proper. After laying the first row, use the knife to cut off half of the next piece so you … Tamp down the area where the soil meets the fixed surfaces of the lawn with a hand tamper. Pro Tip: Lay your new roll of sod over the top of the area to be patched. Grass grows as long as it has enough soil for nourishment and water for moisture. This row, you want to stagger the seams “like you are laying brick.” Install … After it was all over, we pulled up the old sod and laid down . Professional landscapers often apply sod directly over grass. Unroll another roll of sod down the row, this time cutting it 2 feet shorter to stagger the abutting layers. Continue laying sod on opposite sides until it meets in the center of the yard. Sod should be installed within 24 to 48 hours of arrival and stored in a well-shaded area if possible. If you’re in the market to lay new turf over a struggling lawn or playing field, you’ll need to prepare the ground first – exactly how you’d prepare it to allow the sod to make root-to-soil contact. One of the main reasons is that if you put new sod on top of old vegetation, the new sod’s root system will never actually make contact with the soil. To lay a perfect sod, here are some essential guidelines on how to lay sods over an existing lawn Lay a sod at one end of your lawn and start to unroll it from the other side. Do Not Lay Sod Over Old Turf. If you notice unevenness in the height of the sod, place soil underneath the shorter layers to create uniformity in yard height. Our next section (Option #3), will talk about sodding or seeding directly on the ground or grass. Position the yard roller where you began preparing the soil for the new sod. For the remaining weeds in the lawn, you can look to treat it with the herbicide that contains all … How to Plant Grass Seeds on an Existing Lawn. Apply 10 pounds of 10-20-10 starter fertilizer per 1,000 square feet of tilled soil. When the grass dies, it gives off nutrients that actually benefit the new sod above it. This quickly kills the already existing grass in much the same way that a brick left on a lawn kills the grass beneath it. The grass will be shipped directly from a sod farm to your lawn. The secret is in the preparation for the new sod. Here is how you can resod your lawn: Remove and dispose of the existing sod. I often get asked if you can just apply a shallow dressing of soil over grass and then lay sod on top of that. … Before laying sod, the old grass and a bit of the old soil beneath it has to be taken away. The usual procedure for laying sod is, as you mention, soil preparation first, so that would mean digging over, raking off any debris, removing any weed roots, levelling off, then walking all over it on your heels to get out soft spots, re rake/levelling and then laying the turf (sod, we call it turf here...). If you want the new sod to look its best and with no old weeds or old grass . This allows the layer of sod to fit flush with the fixed surface. Worry less about the little spaces between the rolls. Laying new turf over old lawn is possible, but results will not be satisfactory in the long run. Many homeowners want to avoid the extra work involved in removing existing lawns to install new sod. Though installing new sod calls for much less care and upkeep procedures than seeding, the prep function needed for laying it directly over grass is virtually the same, because it need to are available in make contact with with freshly turned soil to take root. The sod compresses the grass and limits its exposure to sunlight and water. Fill the lawn roller’s drum three-fourths full of water. Laying it over the roots could damage the tree. In fact, laying fresh sod over an existing lawn is no shortcut and could kill your sod and cause you twice as much work. This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook shows how to create a lush, new lawn with sod. Save the cutouts so you can use them if you have any small gaps to fill in later. However for a better finish I would recommend removing the old turf completely. Renting a sod stripper was not needed in our situation, as we had a good lawn underneath the 6 inches of quality soil we put down. The soil in the planting area should be moist, not soggy or dry. Of course, there is usually a fair amount of prep work involved, depending on the situation, and the sod must be watered and monitored carefully until it is established. Your fresh sod will be unable to reach the soil to develop roots. Collect as much debris from your yard as possible, such as non-ornamental rocks, twigs and rubbish, and place it in a bin. If you feel resistance, the sod has taken root. Archived. Move all landscaping features away from the areas you will lay sod. You may consider adding a layer of topsoil on top of existing grass, or, better yet, remove old sod with a sod cutter to expose soil. Installing A New Sod Lawn – How To Do It Right The First Time. People often think that laying sod over an existing lawn makes sense and saves time. If you’re in the market to lay new turf over a struggling lawn or playing field, you’ll need to prepare the ground first – exactly how you’d prepare it to allow the sod to make root-to-soil contact. In order to do this, your sod needs to have contact with the soil beneath it. Our next section (Option #3), will talk about sodding or seeding directly on the ground or grass. Andrews' work has appeared in Food and Wine, Fricote and "BBC Good Food." Many garden centers accept sod cuttings for their mulching project, so call around if you’re concerned about diverting large amounts of yard waste from the waste stream when you re-sod your lawn. © Copyright 2020 Hearst Communications, Inc. Unroll another roll of sod on the opposite side of the yard where you began, starting a new roll as needed and removing excess with a utility knife. How to drain lawn with very little slope? Return to the side of the yard where you began. Andrews received formal training at Le Cordon Bleu. Water thoroughly one or two days before the sod is delivered so that the top several inches of soil are wetted. It involves re-grading and blending the new sod with the existing lawn. Return to the starting point of the row, and rake again until the soil measures 1 inch below the level of the fixed surface. Water your lawn with 2 1/2 gallons of water per square foot, and allow the soil to settle for a week. Till the soil to a depth of 6 inches with a mechanized tiller to break up the grass and its root system. If your old lawn just has a small, pitiful remnant, put it out of its misery and scrape … I have rototilled old lawns for over ten years without the removal of sod. Run the lawn roller over the soil row by row, just as you prepped it, until uniform. Lay the next row of sod. Any good tips to help it blend? Sod, though, can be applied directly over existing grass.” The author went on to write: “Professional landscapers often apply sod directly over grass. You may consider adding a layer of topsoil on top of existing grass, or, better yet, remove old sod with a sod … Ask the internet “Can I lay turf on existing grass?” and the answer is generally a resounding no – but of course it’s more complex than that, so here’s what to know about laying turf on existing grass for the best results. Laying sod is such a fast way to start new grass that it is almost no exaggeration to say it gives you an "instant lawn." Before that delivery happens, our sod vendor will call you directly to schedule a drop-off time. Taxes are not included in the estimate. Haul in some topsoil, or have it delivered to your site. Apply an herbicide containing the active ingredients MCPP, dicamba or glyphosate to any remaining weeds. If you install sod on top of your existing lawn, the existing grass forms a layer between your sod and the soil beneath. Fertilize the soil. Pull as many weeds as possibly by hand. Water the sod every day until it takes root in the soil. How to Prepare Clay Soil for Sod. Ideally, you should lay new sod when the soil reaches a temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit. How to Change the Blades on a Yard Machine Lawn Tractor, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture: Establishing a Yard from Sod, UC IPM Online: Establishing a Lawn from Sod, How to Sod a Yard With St. Augustine Palmetto Grass. The goal is to create a 2 percent slope in the sodded area to allow for water runoff. Spread 1 inch of compost over the tilled soil and till to a depth of 4 inches to incorporate. “All sod must make soil contact to root,” she points out. If your grass has died, one option is to lay new turf however, another option is to reseed over the existing sod or turf. “In no situation should sod be installed over existing grass, said Michele Gibson, co-owner of DG Turf Farm, a third-generation sod farm in Greenleaf, Idaho. We can see why you’d think it could be a good strategy – like laying landscaping fabric, sod could starve existing grass for sunlight and effectively kill off the original layer. Grass seed is much cheaper to buy than buying the equivalent amount of turf. Garden weeds are unwanted annual or perennial plants that limit desirable plants from growing vigorously because of the strong competition they offer for soil moisture and nutrients. Save the cutouts so you can use them if you have any small gaps to fill in later. This can be done with an application of a glyphosate chemical control such as Round Up. Alternate between longer and shorter layers to create a brick-wall pattern. Then, lay compost atop the lawn and let it sit for a few weeks to fully suppress the soil. Once everything is nice and level, you need to apply a turf starter fertilizer that’s right for the kind of sod you’ll be laying. I've cleared out a rock bed and will be laying new sod next to an existing lawn, which is about 20 years old. Money is saved and the landfills are preserved. Use a rotary till to make the job easier and faster. Laying new sod next to an existing lawn. While it seems like a great idea, layering sod on top of existing turf isn’t likely to fare well unless the underlying turf is very sparse. These days all I do is prepare yards for sod installation. When placing turf/sod patches into an existing lawn I will initially install them approximately 1inch (25mm) higher than the existing lawn, then using a combination of a scaffold board and my weight I will "settle" the newly installed patches so they are level or very! Laying sod is a gratifying experience—you get a new, green lawn in no time! How to Lay Sod Over an Existing Lawn. Water the area, then amend the soil by working in either compost, leaf mold or fine-milled peat moss to a depth of 3" to 5". To lay a perfect sod, here are some essential guidelines on how to lay sods over an existing lawn. Have a sample of your soil tested. Shutterstock/Pfeiffer. Fit the sod into the area and "knit" the edges together by squeezing them toward each other with your hands. Cut the edges of the area straight. But once you have prepared the ground properly, the sod installation goes very quickly. Mark the area you will lay new sod with gardening paint. Lay a sod at one end of your lawn and start to unroll it from the other side. While eliminating the asphalt first is the best option, if that is not possible, a lawn will grow over asphalt if the paving material is first covered with soil. Now that your fertilizer is laid down, you can start laying your sod. Plus trees grew and shade killed the rest of the grass. On the flip side, it places your new sod at the risk of slow growth. The dead grass can then be removed. Incorporate this topsoil into the tilled grass with your rototiller. Cut and Lay the Sod Using a sod cutter or a very sharp knife, cut the sod to fit the area (this can be tricky). Use a rake to smooth the prepared surface for your sod installation. For example, laying sod over the existing turf is easier and faster. For best results, you should always remove any old vegetation before laying new turf. Use your shovel to cut down through the new sod and the existing grass below at the same time. Hoes, rakes, and forked tools all make fast work of removing small … It might look good for a couple of weeks with proper watering, but it cannot survive in these conditions! Rake the soil you will sod in a straight line from beginning to end of the marked area, increasing pressure on the rake as you approach the end of the row. In order for sod to survive, it has to be able to form a root system. 4. So you won't have to cut the sod in odd shapes, remove the dead grass so that the prepared area forms a square. The goal is to end up with a level stretch of soil that is about an inch below the surrounding surfaces. Therefore, removing the old grass would negate all such concerns. Then, lay compost atop the lawn and let it sit for a few weeks to fully suppress the soil. Step 3 Give your lawn a fresh look by laying sod to cover dead spots. Close. Unfortunately, the answer is exactly the one you were probably hoping it wouldn’t be. (See below for a shopping list and tools. Trying to lay sod over existing grass leads to drying and dead roots as the new layer struggles to reach the soil below. Through experience, it is not best to lay sod over existing grass. Laying the Next Rows. In fact, laying fresh sod over an existing lawn is no shortcut and could kill your sod and cause you twice as much work. The original layer of grass will form a barrier that makes it difficult for roots to establish. The time to lay sod is early morning before it gets too hot. That way, the new sod can grow a healthy and robust root system, which would make your lawn more resilient, more attractive, and less maintenance. Ideally, you should lay new sod when the soil reaches a temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit. It involves re-grading and blending the new sod with the existing lawn. Check if your sod has taken root by gently tugging on it. slightly above the existing lawn. This seems like an easy way to cut down the preparation time, but will end up adding more time than it saves! When the lawn is fully covered, check for gaps in hard-to-reach, curved or oddly shaped areas. Deal with old sod. Although installing new sod requires less care and maintenance procedures than seeding, the prep work required for laying it directly over grass is almost the same, as it must come in contact with freshly turned soil to take root. You can’t simply lay sod on top of grass without doing proper preparation. To do so, it needs additional soil. Spray the chemical onto the existing lawn will kill the grass. You do need to take out the old turf before you put in new sod. Explanation: “All sod must make soil contact to root,” Therefore, the existing grass / lawn must be extremely sparse or you will have to bring in dirt and put it on top before laying the new sod. How to Prepare Clay Soil for Sod. Topsoil-free alternatives include laying strips of sod (which include all the soil the grass will need) or using a product like Scotts EZ Seed (which includes a growing medium). Most professionals who lay sod can also do the prep work, and charge on average $1 per square foot on top of sod installation costs. If you're laying sod around a tree, don't lay it right up against the tree's base. Rake the yard thoroughly, collect all remaining debris and place it in the bin. This is key to not having weeds growing up between your sod strips while the lawn is establishing. Before you begin laying the sod, apply fertilizer to the entire area after the final … Obviously the new patches aren't going to be a perfect match to what's already there. How to Lay Sod Over an Existing Lawn. Wear gardening gloves when removing debris and pulling weeds from your lawn. I need to re do it and wonder if I can just till the backyard, incorporating the bamboo leaves in and add more soil and put new sod on. Finish laying the roll of sod, and return to the opposite side and repeat, cutting each abutting layer 2 feet shorter than the longer one next to it. Rake the soil, and … Killing existing weeds prior to laying sod increases the chances of the grass establishing itself and growing healthy. Begin by applying a starter fertilizer high in phosphorus, such as 2:1:1 or 1:1:1 ratio. I use to have thick healthy Bahia grass there but planted weeping clumping bamboo alongside the back fence for privacy and over the years those bamboo leaves settled and grass is gone. Laying sod over new bare ground takes a lot of muscle but you can almost be guaranteed that the grass will do better than when it is on existing turf. *These prices are only an estimate and not final, for exact costs please place an order by calling our office at 970-284-6000. Lay your first row of sod, usually along the longest side of the yard. It’s ideal to start laying your new sod against a fixed surface, such as a sidewalk or a side of the house. A new lush green lawn will also add value to your property. Place the organic matter you collect from the yard when preparing it for sod in your compost pile. Your home center should be able to provide you with the proper mixture. Explanation: “All sod must make soil contact to root,” Therefore, the existing grass / lawn must be extremely sparse or you will have to bring in dirt and put it on top before laying the new sod. Have killed existing Burmuda grass and similiar problem grasses. Position the tines of the heavy-duty tarmac rake next to a fixed surface of the lawn, such as a sidewalk or driveway. If you have space in the center, cut sod lengthwise as needed to fill it in. Start by dampening the soil with a sprinkler or hose, then rake out any footprints you’ve … Apply a starter fertilizer with a rotary spreader to the area such as an 8-8-8. Use a rototiller to loosen soil to a depth of 6 to 8 … Adhere to the herbicide's manufacturer's instructions and safety precautions when applying herbicide. Till the soil to a depth of 6 inches with a mechanized tiller to break up the grass and its root system. Newly planted sod complements your landscape features, adds aesthetic appeal to your property and reduces lawn maintenance overall, as it has already undergone maintenance and care associated with seeding. Sod into the tilled soil and till to make the job easier and faster end. 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