How to Install Sod

INSIDE : Installing grass can instantly transform a patchy lawn into a lush, green oasis. This tutorial will walk you through everything you need to know about how to install sod in your backyard – from preparing the soil to laying the rolls and important aftercare like the first mow to ensuring a beautiful and healthy lawn for years to come.

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Last summer we turned our concrete and rock (desert) backyard into a lovely little oasis that we actually want to spend time in! I’m not sure why we waited until it was over 100’F here in New Mexico to tackle this project, but what can you do – ha.

In-ground lawn sprinklers deliver a precise amount of water, then automatically shut off and drop out of sight. Learn how much one costs and how to install it yourself.

The BEFORE

Here is the before. We have all these odd shaped concrete pads, a pine that constantly leaves sap and pine needles for us to step on and lots of gravel rock that basically grows weeds.

I wanted a just a small section of grass to help soften the space. A place for my kids and dog to run around a bit.

With the right tools and a little elbow grease I knew we could make this backyard space work better for us.

Grass Seed vs. Grass Sod

When you want to grow grass there are a few options you can take.

If you are patient, growing grass by seed is totally doable. I have found however, the seeding smaller areas of grass bare spots is a much better method than doing an entire yard with seed. If you have a commercial project where someone has the full time job of keeping an eye on a large scale seeded lot, that is completely different than you out with a hose in your backyard.

The perks of laying grass with sod is one moment you have a yard of dirt and a few hours later, you have luscious grass as far as the eye can see! There are a few ground rules with sod however, like wait about two weeks before really walking and moving around in the grass to help allow the roots to fully establish.

Where do I buy sod?

Doing a quick search on the internet for local sod suppliers should give you at least a handful of options. I also always see Home Depot or Lowes have rolls of sod from time to time.

We called about 5 different local to us companies and gave them the square footage of sod we would need and that immediately cut out half the options. Many suppliers of sod only do large scale. From that smaller number, we did pricing and what type of grass they supplied as well as their warranty.

In the end, we went with the most expensive company, Just Sprinklers. We needed such a small amount, even at the most pricey – it was around $500. We liked how quickly they could deliver it, that it was cut just that morning and their nice long warranty incase we messed up and everything died.

Can I just lay sod on dirt?

Yes, officially you can lay sod directly on regular ole’ backyard dirt, but it’s not recommended. It can lead to problems with the health of your lawn. Think of it like trying to build a house directly on uneven ground – it might work for a little while, but the foundation won’t be stable.

You can read about all the steps we took to prepare our soil for sod! It may feel like an unnecessary step, but it really will help your grass be healthier in the long run.

How do you install sod?

Now that your soil has all the proper grading and the soil amendments added, it’s almost time to lay your sod and create the backyard of your dreams with luscious green grass!

Measure your sod area

Start by measuring the area you will be adding sod to, to ensure you will have enough. There is nothing worse than running out of sod before you’ve completed the area. For regular shapes, multiply the length by the width. You should also order about 5% extra sod to account for curves.  

Final soil prep

This is your last chance to have easy access to the soil. So make sure it is smooth, firm and free from all rocks or major dips.

Lay the sod

Before laying the sod, dampen your soil once last time. Then, bring over the first roll of grass sod. You may need another person helping with this job as the sod is fairly heavy.

Start at a straight edge if possible and place your sod nice and tightly in that straight corner or edge.

Roll the sod out flat, making sure that all edges have direct (flat) contact with the ground. You can see in the image below how the edge of that first piece curled. Before moving onto the next piece, make sure all corners are laying flat.

Also be sure to cut around any irrigation heads in your new sod before moving on. You want to make sure the irrigation head can pop-up accurately.

Place your next roll of sod on the ground, butted right up against your last roll. Keep the rolls laying out as straight as possible.

Once you start a new row, be sure to offset where the sod seams meet. Stagger the seams at least 6″ to 12″. Your sod should start to look like a well placed puzzle coming together.

When you get to an edge of your grass, come up to a wall or sidewalk lay your sod as flat as you can and then use a sharp utility knife to cut the sod.

We had to make numerous curved cuts along our curved rock wall, so making sure your utility knife is sharp is key. Be careful with this step.

Water the sod

Once you have the sod all placed, be sure to give the entire area a nice long drink of water. Whether you water the sod via a hose, sprinkler or your irrigation system be sure to allow the water to penetrate deep into the soil, about 4-6 inches.

For the first two weeks, water your sod about 2-4 times a day for 15 to 30 minutes. The goal is to keep the sod consistently moist, but not drenched.

Weeks 3 and 4 you can begin to reduce the frequency of water to once or twice a day, but you should increase the amount of time. This is helping to encourage roots to grow deeper, which will give you healthier grass.

After a month has passed, continue to keep your eye on your new sod. Notice how the edges and corners look as they can dry out the fastest. You will continue to water less frequently, but more deeply. Your goal is deep strong roots.

Fertilize your sod

Once your sod has been on the ground for about 4 to 6 weeks, it’s safe to fertilize.

Use a Starter Fertilizer as these are the best choice for new sod. Starter fertilizers are formulated with a higher percentage of phosphorus (the middle number in the N-P-K ratio) and potassium (the last number), which are crucial for root development and overall stress resistance. Look for ratios like 10-20-10 or 12-24-12.

Slow-Release or Granular fertilizers provide a steady supply of nutrients over time, which is beneficial for newly establishing sod as it reduces the risk of burning and promotes more consistent growth. These are best once your sod has become more established.

When to mow your new sod

Do your best to wait as long as possible before mowing your new sod. New sod within the first few weeks is delicate as it’s roots are just barely getting established, if you aren’t careful about the timing you can undue all the hard work of growing the roots.

Generally, you should wait to mow sod at least for 2 to 4 weeks after installation. You can test for root establishment by gently trying to lift a corner of a sod piece. If it resists and feels connected to the ground, the roots have begun to take hold, showing that it’s likely ready for its first mow. Another good sign is when the grass blades have reached a height of around 3 to 4 inches, showing sufficient growth to withstand cutting.

We have a EGO POWER+ Electric Self-Propelled Lawn Mower which has been so nice. It uses the same power source as our leaf blower and weed wacker – so it’s very convenient. Also it folds up nice and small and I tuck it behind a little curtain in our backyard!

Reduce watering the day before

Before you begin that first mow, reduce the amount you water the day before you plan to cut the grass. This allows the new sod to firm up/dry out slightly, preventing ruts from your mower and a cleaner cut.

Always make sure your mower blades are sharp; dull blades will tear the grass, stressing the delicate new sod and making it more susceptible to disease.

Set your mower to it’s highest setting

When you do finally mow, set the mower as high as it will go to try and remove as little of the grass blade as possible. Typically, a cutting height of 2.5 to 3.5 inches or even higher, depending on your specific grass type.

Always adhere to the “1/3 Rule,” which states you should never remove more than one-third of the grass blade’s total height in a single mowing. This rule is especially critical for new sod, as over-cutting can severely stress the plant and hinder its root growth. If the grass is very tall, you might need to make multiple passes over a few days, gradually lowering the deck each time, to reach your desired height.

Finally, go slow and be gentle, avoiding any sudden turns or movements that could dislodge the newly laid sod pieces. For the first month or so, it’s often recommended to bag the clippings to prevent them from smothering the new, delicate grass and potentially contributing to fungal issues.

Once the sod is well-established, you can usually switch to mulching and cutting the grass at a lower height.

How often should I fertilize my lawn?

How often you fertilize your lawn will depend on what type of grass you have and where you live in the country.

Cool-season grass

Cool-season grasses should be fertilized a total of three times a year. Twice in the fall in September and November, then again in the spring in May or April after the first flush of growth.

Warm-season grass

Warm-season grasses should be fed three times during active growth periods, but not during the hot midsummer months. Apply the fertilizer in three phases: first when the grass starts to green in early spring, next in late spring, and once again in late summer.

I personally like using granular fertilizer from Pennington, Ironite because I can use it on my lawn AND in my vegetable garden. But I’ve also seen great things about the company Sunday and am very intrigued by their products.

How to put down sod in bare spots?

Now let’s say you already have established grass at your home, but with time and for various reasons there are a few places that the grass just will not grow… what do you do then?

Figure out the issue

Before you even think about laying new sod, the most important thing to do is figure out WHY the grass is not growing in the bare spot.

Is it from heavy foot traffic, pet urine, disease, insects (like grubs – gross), too much shade or poor soil? If you don’t figure out the underlying issue, your new sod patch is likely to suffer the same problems.

Prepare the bare spot

Once you know the reason for your bare spot and have addressed that as best as you can, it’s time for the second most important step… preparing the soil in that area!

Use a shovel or rake to remove any dead grass, weeds or debris from the bare area. Dig down a few inches, making sure to get all the old roots out and to loosen the soil.

For easier sod installing and a cleaner look, if you can try to square off the area you will be adding new sod. This isn’t essential but it does make your life easier when putting the new sod down than to have an odd shape.

Amend the soil in that area with some good quality topsoil or compost and mix it in thoroughly.

Rake the area smooth and level it with the surrounding lawn. It’s important that the patch will sit flush with the existing turf to avoid tripping hazards and ensure even mowing.

Finally, follow the above steps to place and then water in your new sod patch!

Sod Installation Costs

If you decide to not spend the effort in laying sod yourself, be sure to do some research in your local sod suppliers before making any purchases.

Basic sod installation costs generally range from $1.00 to $2.00 per square foot, including the sod, labor, and materials. This can vary based on location, your grass type and how much prep work is needed. DIY installation can be cheaper, but requires tools and effort. 

If you are looking on how to install a small turf irrigation system, check out this post!

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