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How To Install & Care For New Sod

Cultivated turf provides an instant lawn of beauty and maturity, without the time-consuming hassles of seeding. Below are the basic steps to achieving a beautiful lawn.

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Roll of sod being rolled out

Tools and Materials Needed:

  • Tape measure
  • Paper and pencil for sketching
  • Fresh sod
  • Watering hose or sprinkler system (with reliable water supply)
  • Sod cutting knife
  • Lawn roller
  • Lawn mower (with sharp blade)
  • Fertilizer
  • Removal tools for debris (e.g., shovel, rake)
  • Rough grading equipment (tractor-mounted blade/box or hand tools for small areas)
  • Tiller
  • Topsoil
  • Humus or fully decomposed organic matter
  • Heavy-duty rake or tractor-mounted box blade for finish grading

Steps

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With a tape, measure the area of your planned lawn. Include these measurements on a sketch, noting the length, width, and any unusual features. If your lawn isn’t a perfect square or rectangle, the easiest way to calculate how much sod you need is to break the area into regular shapes and measure each one individually.

Use our sod calculator to determine the amount needed for your project! Each roll of sod is 2 feet by 4.5 feet and covers an area of 9 square feet.

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When you’re ready to install, schedule your delivery. Fairgreen offers next-day delivery. For the best start to your lawn, prompt installation on the day of delivery is crucial. Turf left on a skid will not last more than six hours in the summer heat.

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Clear the site of debris, grade the area to address drainage issues, till the subsoil, and add topsoil mixed with humus, then firm the surface. Finish by grading once more and rolling the area to settle the surface. These steps create the perfect base for sod installation, resulting in a healthy, low-maintenance lawn.

For a detailed breakdown, view our full soil preparation guide.

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Install your lawn immediately upon delivery of fresh sod and begin watering within 30 minutes of installation. Turf is a living plant that needs ground contact and moisture to survive.

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Begin installing turf along the longest straight line, such as a driveway or sidewalk. Butt the edges and ends tightly against each other without stretching, ensuring there are no gaps or overlaps. Stagger the joints in each row in a brick-like pattern, using a knife to trim corners. Avoid leaving small strips at the outer edges, as they won’t retain moisture. On slopes, lay the turf pieces across the slope. To prevent indentations or air pockets, avoid walking or kneeling on the turf during installation or after watering.

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After installing the turf, roll the entire area to improve turf/soil contact and remove air pockets.

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Give your new lawn at least 2 to 3 cm (1 inch) of water within 30 minutes of installation. Water daily, or more frequently, to keep the turf moist until it is firmly rooted (about 2 weeks). Afterward, switch to less frequent, deeper watering.

Weather conditions will dictate the amount and frequency of watering. Ensure your new lawn has enough moisture to survive hot, dry, or windy periods. Water areas near buildings more often, as reflected heat can dry out the turf.

Caution:
During the first three weeks, avoid heavy or concentrated use of your new lawn. This gives the roots time to establish firmly in the soil and helps ensure the turf remains smooth.

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Mow your lawn regularly, ensuring you remove no more than one-third of the grass height each time. Keep your mower blade sharp for clean cuts. Fertilizer should be applied 6 to 8 weeks after installation. All sod is fertilized just before harvesting, and future applications may vary depending on climate, sod type, soil conditions, and the presence of insects, weeds, and diseases.