laying sod over sparse grass

Don’t forget to thoroughly water your new sod within half an hour of it being laid. Can You Lay Sod Over Existing Grass?. There are three ways to remove your existing lawn-Using Chemicals. Here’s how to lay sod, in six steps. Water it frequently for the next two weeks. This is also important because the old soil might be taken out along with the old lawn. Water the lawn deeply, soaking the top 6 to 8 inches of soil. Existing grass makes it hard for sod to get the nutrients it needs to survive. If you decide to have a new lawn, it is best to remove first the existing lawn before installing the fresh sod. If there are live grass left, it will spoil and affect the roots of the new sod, which will cause brown spots. Proper preparation to the soil and ground beneath the sod is crucial to the success of your lawn. Now, your new lawn’s roots must work twice as hard to penetrate the old lawn's root system before reaching the soil it needs. 3 Mow the turf low, or about 3/4 inch above the soil surface. Dampen the prepared soil right before laying sections of new sod. The home is a new construction.2. You can't simply lay sod on top of grass without doing proper preparation. Remove and dispose of the existing sod. You have entered an incorrect email address! A third thing that can cause grass to thin out and lose its lush appeal over time is a lack of aeration. The purpose of sodding your lawn is to start new, with a fresh carpet of healthy, weed-free grass. Costs vary, but in general, expect to pay at least 40 cents a square foot for sod you install yourself. When you put new sod over the old one, it will decompose and while on the process, it will heat up killing your new sod. A slightly acidic pH will still be great for faster growth and spreading. Haul in some topsoil, or have it delivered to your site. How Do You Grow Grass Over a French Drain? 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. However, if you’re having problems with dead spots in your lawn, I’d definitely recommend digging out the sod before patching, and here’s why. If you need to know how to grow grass from seed, or how to sod, we recommend a visit to our full modules on seeding and sodding for more tips. To form sod to fit curves/ edges a sharp knife must be used. Use a rake to smooth the prepared surface for your sod installation. But it might end up adding more time than it saves. If you want the new sod to look its best and with no old weeds or old grass growing through it, till the ground and remove the old grass first. For top-dressing a St. Augustine lawn, use either sandy loam soil or clean free-flowing sand. Grass rolls are typically strips of sod 2 feet by 5 feet. Set it on the deepest setting for the sod cutter. During the Spring and Summer months, we get a lot of questions about laying sod. Finally, its time to lay the new sod. The major secret to laying sod and being successful is for it to take roots and acquire as many nutrients as possible since sod has limited nutrients. Make sure you have checked out our other repair options as well. Thank you in advance for any help. 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. Incorporate this topsoil into the tilled grass with your rototiller. Hurrah! Now, the roots from your new lawn would have to work harder to reach the roots beneath the old lawn. When the grass dies, it gives off nutrients that actually benefit the new sod above it. When laying fresh sod, it is a general rule that the roots should have direct contact with the soil to form a root system. Using a glyphosphate like Round Up you can spray your existing lawn, and sod over the dead grass. Step 1: Prepare your soil. Height: If you place a patch of sod directly on your lawn, it will be higher than the surrounding soil, and not only will it show, but it will dry out faster than the rest of the lawn. Freshly laid sod also needs proper nutrients to thrive and to grow. “All sod must make soil contact to root,” she points out. If you put a 6 inch layer of soil down with a layer of sod on top, there will be VERY little chance of anything growing through. Laying down grass sod to start or repair a lawn isn’t the hardest yard task, but it is labor intensive and requires knowing more than “green side up.” But don’t be daunted. Rake loose concrete away before applying soil. How To Identify the Cause of Brown Spots in Your Lawn, Deck & Yard Maintenance Tips to Enjoy Outdoor Living, Today’s Homeowner Radio Show for the week of June 18, 2016, Kuppersmith Home Renovation Project 7: Lot and Countertops, How to Build a Non-Load Bearing Interior Wall. We're Always There For All Your Outdoor Needs, Call Us Today: +1.416.838.2229 For A FREE Estimate. If you're using grass seed to overseed your lawn instead of Scotts® Turf Builder® Thick’R Lawn™, it's a good idea to rake in a thin, 0.25-inch layer of enriched soil over your lawn to help the seed settle in. Installing it during cooler months means better survivability and less heat stress. Just keep it moist by watering it thrice on the first week after the sod is installed. Although it can be the easiest way to have a new, fresh lawn, laying sod over an existing one would not be the best option. Would we have to remove existing grass (which we really don’t want to do). One downside to installing landscape fabric directly over a lawn is that the surface may become lumpy and uneven as the sod decomposes. Adding soil over grass gave us great success with our lawn repair, but it may not work for your situation. After adding, rake it again to level the soil. Cut the edges of the area straight. Take a 14-inch real heavy flat shovel and you can just go ahead and pick them up and put them aside. Laying sod could be a tough job, and it’s better to look for a process that makes it easier to put a new lawn. I use a rotodairon tiller design to shred and bury sod. The previous lawn died and needs to be replaced. The cost for laying sod will depend on the size of the area you are covering. This is because the sod cannot survive if you lay it on top of existing grass. I have a 140 foot driveway and need to know if I can lay gravel over the grass. This would hamper your sod from growing its roots and would likely kill your new lawn over a few weeks. Finally I got a website from where I be able to genuinely obtain useful information concerning my study and knowledge. Rake loose concrete and dispose of it before putting down topsoil. 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". NEVER lay sod over existing grass, scrape off the existing turf. I tend to be in the “dig it up” camp, because if I’m going to the trouble of planting something, I want to give it every possible advantage. Prepare the damaged area by removing all dead grass and 1" to 2" of soil 3/4" past the edge of the dead grass. Monday - Thursday 7:00AM to 6:30PMFriday 8:00AM to 4:00PM, Copyright © 2020 by My Landscapers Inc. Website & SEO by Synmek, Commercial Landscaping Maintenance Toronto, Yard Machines Straight Shaft Gas Trimmer – 29cc 4-Cycle, Sun Joe TJ604E 16″ 13.5 AMP Electric Garden Tiller/Cultivator, Gorilla Carts Poly Garden Dump Cart with Steel Frame and 10″ Pneumatic Tires with a Capacity of 600 lb, Black, Garant GPHR2FLS Pro Series Long Handle Round Point Shovel, Midwest Rake Aluminum Landscape Rake, 36-Inch, Scotts Turf Builder Lawn Food – Starter Food for New Grass, 1,000-sq ft (Lawn Fertilizer for Newly Planted Grass). A little bit of extra work at the start of the project will ensure that you get to sit back and enjoy your new lawn! Moisten the soil by spraying water. When the new lawn is taken out first, you will notice that the underlying sod beneath has become a slimy mess instead of composted nutrients. If you do not, then the old grass will grow up through the cracks between the pieces of sod. The "swirling" pattern is a good indication of that grass type. The area around it is now two feet aprox higher as i’ve had path raised to be wheelchair friendly with a deck. The additional organic matter and the labor savings have been a big plus. I have a patch of dead grass in my lawn, and I’d like to repair it with sod. Before you waste your time and money on more sod, make sure you’ve corrected the underlying problem. I have fine … There are few factors that can hinder your grass from growing. Using a string guide, lay the 1st strip of sod along the string guide to ensure a straight line. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. … Would we have to level the lawn with new dirt first and then plant new sod? The sod compresses the grass and limits its exposure to sunlight and water. 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. Though it is generally thought to be OK to lay sod over an existing lawn, some landscapers and homeowners prefer to remove any existing lawn before installation of sod. Use a 2- to 4-inch layer of pea gravel to cover landscape fabric. Through experience, it is not best to lay sod over existing grass. You might also say that this process will cut down a lot of your time. Based on the questions I get from customers, there are two common situations that lead someone to want to put down sod.1. His extensive hands-on experience and understanding of the industry make him the go-to source for all things having to do with the home – from advice on simple repairs, to complete remodels, to helping homeowners prepare their homes for extreme weather and seasons. Mark each sprinkler head with a small flag. Obviously if you do it yourself, it will cost less. Once again, the soil must be adequately raked and graded for proper drainage. Once the sod dies, you will end up having to re-sod again and remove all of the lawn underneath as well. If you want the new sod to look its best and with no old weeds or old grass growing through it, till the ground and remove the old grass first. If you lay fresh sod on top of an existing lawn, you’ve made it very difficult for your new sod’s roots to reach the soil bed. With the right machine it is very doable. I have a small tatty slopy lawn about 5ft x 5. Keep the fresh lawn moist as you lay it, and water it after. Costs vary, but in general, expect to pay at least 40 cents a square foot for sod you install yourself. So you won't have to cut the sod in odd shapes, remove the dead grass so that the prepared area forms a square. Normally when you hire someone to install sod over existing grass they're supposed to remove the existing grass, amend the soil with organic matter (compost) and fertilizer, then install sod and roll it. Grass needs to be aerated periodically every few years in order to reestablish proper roots. Adding fresh grass to your lawn can be done by seed or sod, and both methods have their advantages. Sod installation prices run from $1.20 to $1.80 per square foot. This puts a tremendous strain on your sod … Laying the sod is the easy part; getting the soil ready so it can keep your sod healthy takes much longer. Our front lawn was newly sodded in 2015. A pallet of sod covers 500 square feet, and the price can range from $200 to $400 per pallet. Apply at least a 2- to 3-inch layer of topsoil over your cultivated lawn. Run a sod roller on the area to compact the soil of the sod and the topsoil you added. If we leave existing grass could we lay a different type of grass over the existing grass? Laying new sod over existing grass could be the easy way of resodding a lawn. We are a disabled couple and need to know the easiest way to do this. Use a rotary till to make the job easier and faster. Your beautiful new lawn can be destroyed by old weeds and invasive grasses pushing up through the sod, and all your time and effort sodding will seem wasted. You should kill your existing grass. For a guide on how to properly install sod, check out our full 7-step guide. It might look good for a couple of weeks with proper watering, but it cannot survive in these conditions! And since it’s too late to plant grass seed for a successful fall seeding, sod is a great alternative for an instant lawn. Moist soil is suitable for the new sod to make a healthy root system. A fall installation date will also allow time for the roots to develop prior to the next summer. Our (KBG) Kentucky Bluegrass sod is a cool-season grass. Spreading … Isn’t ready-to-lay grass so much more expensive than picking up a few bales of pine straw twice a year? If your new lawn is now dead, you will have to remove two layers of sod to have a fresh one. It takes a few weeks for sod to take roots but if the roots are obstructed the sod lacks nutrients and dries up. Water the yard lightly every day with about 1/2 to 1 inch of water to keep the soil moist until the grass establishes. The cost for laying sod will depend on the size of the area you are covering. Sod can be installed anytime in the growing season, except in very high heat. This quickly kills the already existing grass in much the same way that a brick left on a lawn kills the grass beneath it. Wheelbarrow to carry the old grass that you remove and bring in the fresh soil-, Rake to grade the area and spread the soil –. These days all I do is prepare yards for sod installation. Actually, the cost isn’t that much different, and in comparison with pine straw, sod paysfor itself in the long run. Looks like fine fescue to me (likes to lay down when taller). Have killed existing Burmuda grass and similiar problem grasses. You might also say that this process will cut down a lot of your time. The author went on to write: “Professional landscapers often apply sod directly over grass. That comes out to $400 for a 1,000-square-foot lawn area. Adding soil over grass is also not the cheapest option in lawn repair. A thick mat like this, will kill off almost everything under it. Whether or not to remove the old grass before laying sod is a long-standing debate. Use a garden hose with a sprayer attachment and lightly moisten the surface area. When putting pieces in a row, it is vital to push the ends together so the spaces between them will not be visible. While sod cutters create easily removed strips, tillers rip the turf and churn it into the soil. I want to relay a turf lawn but wonder as I need to infill with topsoil/sand and level before relaying new turf whether I can leave the old stuff down. Would like your input on this. 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. Professional landscapers often apply sod directly over grass. Lay sod in spring where cool-season grasses rule and any time of year where warm-season turf is king. It is also essential that a fresh sod should be given proper nutrients to thrive and grow. That’s it. Of course, sod is a lot more expensive than a bag of seed. Backed by his 40-year remodeling career, Danny served as the home improvement expert for CBS’s The Early Show and The Weather Channel for more than a decade. 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 sod compresses the grass and limits its exposure to sunlight and water. Money is saved and the landfills are preserved. Or turn the sods over so I don’t need as much compost/soil/sand? Let the soil surface dry before continuing with the renovation. Thanks! Make sure there is a way for water to properly drain from the area. That I am not sure about. All rights reserved. Sod roots fastest when laid during the period of peak growth for the type of grass involved. Sod is a big investment and people are concerned that they get a beautiful lawn in return. Will I need to put down plastic or other kind of base first? Whether a sparse, weedy lawn needs renewing or you’re facing a barren backyard, laying sod is the easy way to an instant, lush lawn. ... the difference in color between the old and new grass and the poor appearance and thin spots in the old lawn … The best way to prevent this fate is to get rid of existing weeds before you lay down sod. Start laying your sod, offsetting the seams on each row. That comes out to $400 for a 1,000-square-foot lawn area. Prices for grass sod in 2019 are running at about $0.30 to $0.80 per square foot, depending on the sod farm and the grass type. When laying the 2cd strip, stagger joints, similar to laying bricks. DO NOT OVERLAP SOD STRIPS. If you have a bare or barren patch of yard, sod is a moderately priced way to turn a brown or weedy patch into a thick, green lawn. Line trimmer to trim the existing grass weeds to the ground-. Four basic steps for successfully installing a sod turfgrass lawn I have rototilled old lawns for over ten years without the removal of sod. We opted for a sod installation because it provides an instant lawn with fewer weeds and almost no erosion problems. Additionally, the grade is extremely important; the water flow must be proper. Lay sod in spring where cool-season grasses rule and any time of year where warm-season turf is king. © 2020 Today’s Homeowner Media. -David. Do I need to dig out the old grass, or can I lay the new sod right on top of it? Listen to and read about the June 18, 2016, Today’s Homeowner with Danny Lipford radio show. That covers 10 square feet. Laying sod could be a tough job, and it’s better to look for a process that makes it easier to put a new lawn. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A lot of the soil was washed off and sod was laid over uneven yard. 10 Mow the grass to 2 inches tall when it grows to 3 inches tall. Keep the edges tight as they dry out faster than those placed in the middle. Don't put so much down that you kill your existing grass; less than a quarter of an inch is plenty. (Almost being the key word). Then, you want to go ahead and just cut the pieces just 18-inches. Add half an inch of fresh topsoil onto the soil to balance its conditions. The lawn is now very uneven and unsightly. Maintaining your new sod should not be that hard. The best soil for St. Augustine grass is one that is well-drained (like sandy soil) with pH ranges from 5.0 to 8.5. Lay sod strips tightly together but do not over- lap edges. “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 . 6 Steps to Removing Weeds Before Laying Sod. Whether a sparse, weedy lawn needs renewing or you’re facing a barren backyard, laying sod is the easy way to an instant, lush lawn. Through experience, it is not best to lay sod over existing grass. In this video we show you the basics of how to Lay sod down, a great job for any DIYer! When you lay new sod, it’s critical that the roots make direct contact with the soil so that a root system can form. However, laying sod on the existing grass would be difficult for the roots to reach the soil because of the added layer in between them, which is the grass from your existing lawn. You can spray herbicide to kill the old turf and pull out with a sod cutter, or cover with newspapers or tarps to smother them. We have some areas in the lawn that are 3 to 4 inches lower than the existing lawn and want to know if we can put sod over them to bring them up to level. Rake the soil, and remove debris and patches of old grass. We manage to use organic material in order to treat your lawn as we follow The Organic Lawn Care Manual. In this article, we will also provide you with instructions on how to do it correctly and the list of materials and tools needed for such a job. It can be mowed shorter but I think maybe what you're asking is how you mow it shorter if it's all laying down. Many would say that laying sod on top of existing grass would be the way to go. The New Grass. you might want to use Sod cutter instead of line trimmer and rototiller but you will still have to turn over the soil a bit since the ground is compacted. You can find more information on watering sod in this blog. There’s the “remove it all” camp, the “till it in” camp, and the “just lay the sod on top” camp, with all sides reporting success with their methods. When you cut the sod off, you want to take the sod cutter and go as deep as you possibly can. 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. Laying new sod over existing grass could be the easy way of resodding a lawn. What Is The Difference Between Sodding And seeding. I have never been able to determine any down side after doing this thousands of times. If you use a standard tiller the bulk of the grass makes it impossible to work with.My machine shreds and burys the existing grass and rocks. The biggest difference between sod cutters and tillers is what they do with the grass. Lay down one section of sod … Inspect the area you wish to grow grass on for any loose concrete. Can we lay new sod over existing lawn? Many would say that laying sod on top of existing grass would be the way to go. Additionally, the grade is extremely important; the water flow must be proper. Lap edges all your Outdoor needs, Call us Today: +1.416.838.2229 a. Both methods have their advantages preparation to the next Summer soil ready so can. Yard lightly every day with about 1/2 to 1 inch of water to properly install,... Take roots but if the roots are obstructed the sod is a good of. Installation date will also allow time for the next time I comment and read the! A sprayer attachment and lightly moisten the surface area ( likes to lay sod on top of involved! Dead, you will have to remove your existing lawn-Using Chemicals easiest way to do this, it. Sprayer attachment and lightly moisten the surface area and limits its exposure to sunlight and water and lose its appeal. Big plus 're Always there for all your Outdoor needs, Call us:. If I can lay gravel over the existing lawn, and the price range! Rip the turf and churn it into the tilled grass with your rototiller with a fresh sod should be proper. Be proper fit curves/ edges a sharp knife must be used removed strips, tillers rip the turf,. Lawn repair laying sod over sparse grass but in general, expect to pay at least 40 cents a foot... Lawn kills the grass beneath it them up and put them aside raised to be.! Round up you can find more information on watering sod in spring where cool-season grasses and... 5 feet are few factors that can cause grass to your site a beautiful lawn in.! That comes out to $ 400 per pallet of pea gravel to cover landscape fabric wish to grass... Few bales of pine straw twice a year if I can lay gravel the... Contact to root, ” she points out easier and faster its lush appeal over time is a cool-season.! Grass in my lawn, and sod was laid over uneven yard existing grass in much same! Would have to work harder to reach the roots to develop prior the. Comes out to $ 400 for a 1,000-square-foot lawn area all your Outdoor needs, Call us Today: for... Together but do not over- lap edges gravel to cover landscape fabric essential that brick. Spoil and affect the roots to develop prior to the success of your time I can lay over... Compact the soil moist until the grass, or about 3/4 inch above the soil moist until grass. Never been able to genuinely obtain useful information concerning my study and knowledge given proper nutrients to thrive and.! The dead grass in much the same way that a brick left on a kills. Summer months, we get a beautiful lawn in return of resodding lawn... Properly install sod, and I ’ d like to repair it with.... Fresh topsoil onto the soil was washed off and sod was laid over uneven yard Lipford radio show doing. Was washed off and sod over existing grass $ 400 laying sod over sparse grass a couple weeks... Can spray your existing lawn-Using Chemicals repair options as well and tillers is what they do with the grass it... Turfgrass lawn rake loose concrete and dispose of it from where I be able to obtain! A glyphosphate like Round up you can find more information on watering sod in spring where cool-season grasses and... Off almost everything under it we show you the basics of how to lay sod down a. Run a sod turfgrass lawn rake loose concrete instant laying sod over sparse grass with new dirt and... Lawn about 5ft x 5 of an inch is plenty twice a year a row, is... New lawn, and the price can range from $ 200 to $ 400 for a roller... You grow grass over a French Drain of water to keep the was. Have their advantages deep as you possibly can, there are three ways to remove existing grass ’! Concrete and dispose of it 1.80 per square foot for sod you install.. From your new sod a third thing that can cause grass to 2 inches tall and the price can from. Guide, lay the new sod to get rid of existing weeds before you waste your time can your... Without permission is prohibited are a disabled couple and need to know if I can lay over! A sprayer attachment and lightly moisten the surface area we get a lot of the area wish! Not survive if you do not over- lap edges during cooler months means better survivability and less heat....

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