Soil Preparation

How to Prepare Soil for Sod Installation (Soil Prep)

Sod and Soil Preparation

Preparing the soil is a vital step in laying new sod. Korby Sod recommends the following tips to prepare your soil for new sod:
1. If you are renovating an existing lawn, you must first destroy or remove the current vegetation. This can be done by spraying an appropriate herbicide or by tearing out the existing lawn. Click for our guide REMOVING OLD SOD/VEGETATION FOR SOD INSTALLATION on killing or tearing out your existing lawn.
Soil Preparation 12. Use a good quality Rear Tine roto tiller to till the soil to a depth of 4 to 8 inches. The loosening of hard pack soils allows the roots to grow deeper. Turfgrass roots will grow a foot or deeper depending on sod variety. Growing deep roots will allow for a healthy lawn that uses less water.

3. After an initial tilling, remove rocks, roots, clods, and vegetation.

Soil Preparation 24. This is a good time to perform a soil test. The best way to provide the perfect growing environment for turf is to test your soil. Most turf grasses thrive in well-aerated soil with a pH slightly toward the acidic side (between 6 and 7.5). Soils Test kits are available through Korby Sod, your local home improvement store or garden nursery.

5. Next, a good quality dairy compost should be mixed with the top layer of existing soil. Rototill 3 cubic yards of compost per 1,000 square feet of yard area. Compost should be aged and sanitized to prevent root burning and weeds.

6. Once again, remove rocks, roots, clods, and vegetation. Rake and smooth the area to grade. Make sure your grading has the soil sloping away from foundations and buildings, thus avoiding drainage problems.

7. Once again, remove rocks, roots, clods, and vegetation. Rake and smooth the area to grade. Make sure your grading has the soil sloping away from foundations and buildings,
thus avoiding drainage problems.

8. It i s not necessary to add fertilizer to the soil. The compost will provide nutrients for the growing roots.

Your area is now prepped and ready for your new sod! CLICK HERE – DIY – HOW TO INSTALL SOD ROLLS.

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