Soil and Sod Preparation

STEP 1 - Measure Your Lawn

Measure the area of your lawn; we recommend writing this down. The length x width determines how many square feet of sod you need. 

Green Acres Sod measures 5 square feet each piece therefore you will need to round up the closest increment. We recommend ordering 5-10% more of your measurement for odd-shape areas. 

STEP 2 - Remove Your Existing Lawn

Prior to installation of new sod, any existing lawn should be chemically killed and removed. Use a sod cutter which will cut under the turf and slice it into strips. Water the area a few days in advance to make the soil easier to work. Soil should be moist but not soggy. After removing the old sod, rake over the soil to remove debris. For best results, water the bare ground for up to a week and re-apply herbicide to kill off any re-growth.

STEP 3 - Soil Preparation

Rototill soil to a depth of 4-6 inches. Remove stones, roots, debris and large clods. If needed, apply appropriate soil amendments and till thoroughly into the soil. Incorporation of amendments into the native soil is very important to create a homogenous soil that will promote a deep root system and prevent water run-off. We recommend at least a 1-2” layer of compost be mixed into the top 4-6 inches.

STEP 4 - Install A Sprinkler System

A sprinkler system is vitally necessary for the successful establishment and long term survival of your lawn. A good landscape irrigation and supply business is an excellent place to start for sprinkler system design information and help. Remember to assign separate irrigation stations for the lawn areas in the full sun and those in deep shade as the amount of water will vary under those conditions. Ornamental flower beds should also be on a separate irrigation station to accommodate their differing water requirements. Using an automatic timer to control on/off times and length of watering is strongly recommended.

STEP 5 - Grading & Rolling

Rake out the area to establish a level and smooth surface. This will allow proper contact between the sod and soil. The soil level should be about 1" below sidewalks, patios and driveways and tops of sprinkler heads. Water the area to allow settling of soil. When the area dries out, use a water-filled lawn roller and roll the area in two opposite directions. This will minimize excessive settling that might lower the top of the lawn below the level of driveways or patios. Use a rake to level any low or high spots and fine-grade the area.