Planting Sod-any tips?

[Julian]

A bit late to ask this question....since I put some sod down yesterday....but any tip on planting and getting sod to take? Had a section that the siders killed by stomping and putting stuff down on.

I dug it out, put some real dirt down (to replace the hard packed clay) and layed the sod on top....now set sprinklers to water every day.

@redthumper9 any thoughts?

 

[redthumper9]

Do you know what kind of grass?

 

[BigN8]

I would recommend a sod roller. Basically a big plastic drum you fill with water and roll back and forth across the newly laid sod. This will result in a nice flat even surface when it takes off. Other than that just make sure it gets water. Try not to walk on it when it is wet, otherwise you will leave foot prints and it will be bumpy not flat.

 

[Boat Crazy]

I would place some Ironite fertilizer over top. Usually added before placing down sod but will help. Can be purchased at lowes, Home Depot or possibly Walmart.

 

[Julian]

It is Fescue.

@Boat Crazy I'll stop by Homedepot on the way home! Don't think I have that....was considering Miracle Grow...

 

[Wayloncle]

Pack it down good and water the crap out of it!

I had a local guy put sod down at my house in Kansas, they didn't smooth the dirt (clay) out very good before laying it, it had lumps of dirt under it, and then they never came back and packed it down with a roller like they said they would. It was lumpy and didn't take very well at all, it took a year at least to get it to look nice.
My first water bill after putting it down said I used 48,000 gallons in 3 weeks, I didn't believe it so I went to the water company and that's the first thing they asked, "Do you have a sprinkler system?" and "Did you just get sod put down?"

 

[Boat Crazy]

It is Fescue.

@Boat Crazy I'll stop by Homedepot on the way home! Don't think I have that....was considering Miracle Grow...

Ironite will help to speed the root growth.

 

[redthumper9]

@Julian ....DO NOT add any Miracle grow or fertilizer of any sort at this time. Everyone else has is correct. Water is critical at this stage. We typically recommend watering twice a day....early morning (most important) and late evening. Use a sprinkler of some sort, not just walking over it with a garden sprayer. Your goal is to keep the soil underneath moist. After about 2 weeks, you can back off the water SOME, but continue to water if conditions remain dry. Obviously if you get rain, dont worry about watering that day. Avoid watering in the middle or hottest parts of the day. Once its established and becomes part of your normal yard, feel free to fertilize, but make sure you follow recommended fertilizer analysis and rates.

 

[redthumper9]

Btw.....a roller works well if the conditions are right. Usually they work the best after a rain or a good watering since the ground is softer at this time.

 

[KXCam22]

You also should put the 0-0-46 fertalizer under it. It is the root growing stuff. Cam.

 

[Cory]

The green side goes up

 

[Julian]

D'Oh!

 

[wakeformer]

Water Water Water


That's all you need

 

[Glassman]

I'm switching to plastic. I kill everything my dog hasn't already.

 

[jawsf16]

What is this "water" y'all speak of??