Sodding
by
Bernadine M
+2
I had trees removed from my front yard. No grass would grow under the trees. I am thinking of re-sodding my yard but I am getting different advice. I wanted to regrade and put topsoil in the sod. I was told grass will not grow where the trees were because the soil would be to acidic and need to remove 6-8 inches of soil first. Others say just till it. there will be 15-19 palates of sod needed.....another difference in contractors. Can anyone give me some Georgia advice?
5 answers
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Did you have the stumps ground up and the chips left to fill in the holes? If they answer is yes, then yes, it would be wise to replace those wood chips with real soil . What kind of trees did you have removed? Are you using Bermuda or another type grass? Do you have irrigation? Can you give me a little more information on the estimates you have received? Most pallets of Bermuda sod have 504 square feet so there is a significant difference of space between 15 and 19 (1200 sq feet) so I am curious as to why there is that big a difference in the estimates. If you are concerned about the ph of the soil, it is easy to get a soil test done by the county extension , looks like you might be in Cobb county? You have a great extension agency up there if so. Did the person giving you that advice about removal ( if it is soil and not chips) suggest a lime application? Hope that wasn't too many questions
360 Sod (Donna Dixson)
on Mar 14, 2013
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@Bernadine M perhaps you should bring a sample of the earth to a nursery to see if it is too acidic and ask for advice on treatment and when to replant. I have seen grass grow after many different trees have been removed. If the tree was an evergreen it is likely that the soil is too acidic. Good luck and let us know what happens. Thanks for posting :)
Gail Salminen
on Mar 15, 2013
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Bernadine, I'm in Atlanta and we redid our front lawn ourselves last September. I'll give you the advice we followed, which worked, because it sounds like your situation is similar. You do not have to remove any soil -- just amend what you have. We had clay and amending it worked fine for us. (We were sure it wouldn't work, but it did!) First till the soil (you can rent a tiller from tool rental place like Northside Tool Rental). Then add lime (this will fix your acidity problem) and fertilizer (10-10-10). Use a green seed spreader for the lime and fertilizer (Pike Nursery will lend you one for free if you buy your supplies there). Add good quality top soil. We got ours from Green Bros. in Marietta, and they deliver. Aim for 1 inch of top soil. Once you have that down, till again to mix the lime, fertilizer, and soil. After all of this, grade your lawn with a metal rake -- a hard rake for tough areas, a leaf rake for finessing. Grade it in one direction and then across, like a basket weave. Also grade it downwards -- toward a drain or toward the street. Step back and eye your lawn to make sure it's graded right. Try not to walk on it too much after you grade it. This is when you put down your sod. We used fescue seed, so I don't have any sod advice for you, but I hope the information about the soil helped you. Water your lawn immediately, then every other day unless you have rain.
Melissa G
on Mar 16, 2013
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thank you everyone. The estimate of 15 palates was measured with a rolling measure device the other was "Walked off" that is why the major difference. The grass is Bermuda. No irrigation is present.The area is to large and sloped for me to till it and grade it. I feel I can lay the sod but don't feel confident in grading the property.
Bernadine M
on Mar 17, 2013
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I don't think you need to have any soil removed unless to change the grade for drainage purposes. You can add lime to change the ph if there is a acidity issue. (Take a soil sample to county extension if you are uncertain). Any soil you add will be of benefit to the sod you lay. If there is a significant amount of wood chips left from your tree removal those should be removed as much as possible. Adding the soil and tilling will help your sod reach down deep into the soil underneath it. This will be valuable to you because you have no irrigation. The longer the roots can grow, the better able the grass will be able to sustain itself through a drought period (which you know will happen sooner or later here in the Atlanta area. Hope this help. Let us know what you decide to do and the results. Good luck. You can call me anytime and I will be happy to answer any questions you have too. My number is on my profile page.
360 Sod (Donna Dixson)
on Mar 17, 2013
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