Turfgrass Sod Installation & Maintenance

Step 1 - preparing your soil

Step 2 - laying your sod

Prepare

Turfgrass is a living and perishable product. Install your sod immediately upon receiving it.

1- Grade and shape the area to desired contours. Keep in mind that the topography of the soil is reflected in the sod; high and low spots will be apparent after sod is installed.

2- To ensure the best rooting and optimum integration of turfgrass sod the site must have a suitable layer of topsoil. Where necessary, add 1-2” of This Blue Cube™ growing soil and rototill to a depth of 3-6” (8-10cm). This will also add nutrients to the soil to encour age rooting. Avoid over-tiling the soil to maintain soil structure for a healthy root system and overall turf health.

3- Remove all debris from the area that was brought to the sur- face while cultivating.

4- Rake and lightly roll the surface taking care to remove rough areas and despressions. Repeat until the surface is contoured exactly as it should be.

5- Add starter fertilizer. Incorporate the fertilizer by lightly raking.

Key Points: there is no replacement for good site prepara- tion. Make sure contours allow for surface drainage during rainy periods.

Install

1- To install the first row, start from a straight line such as a curb or driveway. Another option is to run a taut string across the middle of the area and begin the first row along that line.

2- Smooth any footprints with a rake before installing.

3- Cut the sod with a sharp knife or edger where neces- sary. Avoid placing small pieces at the edge of the lawn, as they will dry out more quickly. Instead lay full rolls along the edges and insert smaller pieces between larger ones.

4- Lay sod in a brickwork pattern (as pictured).

5- Butt all joints as tightly together as possible.

6- Stake the sod on steep slopes to prevent slippage.

7- Go over the area with a roller to press the roots to the soil.

8- Immediately water so that the soil is wet to a depth of 3”-4” (7-10cm) below the sod.

Step 3 - maintenance during establishment

Day 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

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During the establishment period your lawn will require regular watering to encourage rooting. It is important to begin gradually reducing the irrigation frequency to en-courage deep and healthy rooting. Follow the schedule above for best results.

Watering requirements after establishment will be based on seasonal weather patterns, evaporation and the moisture content of soil beneath the sod. Your lawn requires about 25mm or 1 inch of water (including) rain per week during the summer months.Use of a moisture meter will give you the best results.

Maintain

1- While the sod is growing roots into its new soil, it is necessary to supply supplementary irrigation. Apply water slowly to ensure it penetrates the sur face and does not run off. Until the sod has begun to root well into the base soil, keep all traffic off it after watering to reduce compaction and sod movement.

2- Most lawns should be mowed at a height of 1.5-3” (4-8cm). If the grass is allowed to grow too tall, then the stand becomes less dense and there is a greater chance of weed infestation.

3- Compacted soil as well as layering prevents water, air and nutrients from reaching turfgrass roots. Newly sodded lawns should be aerated with hollow tines at least twice in the first year to break up compaction and break up layering for best rooting. After that, annual aeration and topdress ing with This Blue Cube™ will help to ensure vig- orous growth through the season.

Key Points: Maintaining adequate soil moisture during the first few weeks while the sod knits will improve appearance and performance long term.

Step 2 - laying your sod continued