Prepping for sod
by
N'neka
+2
We're getting ready to install sod following these instructions from our supplier. http://www.supersod.com/free-info/how-to-lay-sod-video.html. We have a typical GA red clay and will order soil along with the sod. Is tilling necessary?
View from deck a few hours after a heavy rain.
View from patio underneath deck
Close up of a small area we raked as a test.
5 answers
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Follow their instructions, you are replacing sod because what was there wasn't growing, right?
1240839
on Apr 28, 2015
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I don't know if this is helpful, but we just redid a small lawn. We live in Washington state and have a different type of clay to deal with. After stripping the lawn, my husband then brought in top soil, tilled it in to the clay, added more soil in low spots, raked it, then rolled it before laying the new turf. It takes a lot of watering until the roots take hold or your new sod will die. My husband just suggested tilling in sand before tilling in the top soil to help add drainage. Good luck with your yard.
Carole
on Apr 28, 2015
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Our home is in a subdivision in South Louisiana that was a sugar cane field. The soil is very rich and grows anything we plant. We did not till our lawn before planting seeds for the lawn nor for our flower beds. The soil in South Louisiana is dark and almost like a black color. When I was a little girl traveling with our family towards Northern Louisiana it was hilly and the dirt was red. Before that, I had no idea that dirt could be any other color besides black and that roads could be hilly. Heck, we have flat land with nothing but swamp lands all around us. Now with saying that, we are the only area in the world that can grow Perique Tobacco. It’s probably because we are rich in plant and animal life (swamps) that cannot be touched or built upon. I do suggest that you do till your lawn integrating some type of top soil (ask an expert from a nursery what is best type) because of the clay type of soil you have there. It will greatly aid in the fast growth and continuous beauty of the lawn especially for the money you are spending on sod. Oh yes and you will have to water your lawn every single day that it doesn’t rain until your lawn is established. Good luck and post picks of your finished product.
Lori Vicknair
on Apr 28, 2015
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Listen to Carole and her husband! I'm in north central Texas. We had sod installed as part of preparation to sell our house. We completely stripped the backyard and raked it, but did not actually till it. We didn't quite get the front yard finished before the sod was delivered and then the laying crew arrived. The back yard has progressed much better than the front. Bear in mind, shortly after it was laid, water restrictions began. We are still limited to twice a week, but have been diligent in our efforts. Even better would have been to lay a sprinkler system before the sod. Hindsight is wonderful. We both think tilling would have helped a lot. (Should have planned better!) We also should have given more thought as to the especially shady area under a cluster of 4 trees; pretty much all the grass laid there has died. Even with adding sand and soil, you're not likely to get that clay to the level of the S.La. soil Lori is talking about! We should all be so lucky! We did buy a house in GA once. It had gorgeous green grass. Turned out to be winter rye, so when the GA summer arrived, it disappeared. We knew next to nothing, so did no prep; just filled in the bare spots with St. Augustine sod piecemeal. It was never a great lawn. Good luck with your efforts. The more work you put into it now, the better lawn you'll have to enjoy later.
Gaybelle
on Apr 28, 2015
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Till it you want to mix the soil you are getting in with that clay like they said to do. This will give the sod roots room to move deeper in the soil lessening the chance of sod decline.
Eglehawk
on Apr 28, 2015
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