Buckeye Yard and Garden onLine

Now is a great time to sod your lawn if you would rather not deal with waiting for seeds to sprout in a muddy yard, or if you are trying to get grass to grow on a significant slope. If budget is a problem, sod can be used in high profile areas, such as the front yard, and seed sown in areas that are not as visible or heavily traveled. Sod may be transplanted to a home lawn any time during the growing season when the soil can be prepared and adequate water provided.

Several recommended sodding techniques should be followed to achieve good results. The soil should be prepared to a "seed bed" consistency and a "starter" fertilizer applied prior to laying the sod. The sod should be staggered in a brick like arrangement, with the ends in contact but not overlapping. Take careful measurements prior to buying the sod to avoid ordering less sod than required for the job. The sod cannot be stretched since cracks may develop between pieces as the sod shrinks back to its original size. The finished lawn should be lightly rolled to ensure contact with the soil for better rooting. On slopes the sod may need to be pegged to prevent slippage.

Remember that the grass plants in sod have had their roots sheared-off, so watering is critical. Water should be applied to the new sod to a depth of 6 inches immediately after transplanting. Water should continue to be applied daily, or every few days depending on weather conditions, for about 2-3 weeks to maintain adequate moisture in the sod plants until new roots develop. Periodically tug the sod to see if it has rooted to the soil, then reduce the watering schedule to avoid promoting fungal disease problems.

For more information, see:

• Lawn Establishment