Installation Guide
Preparation:
What kind of sod do I need?
Bermuda is the most common type of sod planted in this area. It requires 70-80% sunlight during the day. It is a warm weather grass & spreads very quickly.
Fescue sod is more commonly used in more shady areas. It needs 15-20% sunlight per day. It is a cool weather grass so it requires a lot more water than bermuda. Even after established, we recommend overseeding your fescue every fall to keep it as thick as when it was first installed. With the heat here, it tends to thin out a little each year.
How much sod do I need?
Square Footage = length X width
Make sure you install your sod on as much bare dirt as possible. The quality of soil does affect the appearance of your sod. You also want your dirt to be as level as possible to make it easier to mow later.
Installation:
First, lay one roll of sod around all outside edges of area to be sodded. Then fill in the rest of the area with sod. You can cut the rolls to fit with a utility knife, machete, or shovel. After installation, rolling the bermuda sod is optional but not necessary. The most important thing new sod needs is WATER. Refer to FAQ section to get more info on watering new sod. Fertilizing before laying sod is optional also.
Lawn Maintenance
Mowing your lawn –
Mowing your lawn more frequently will improve the color & texture of your lawn. Rule of Thumb: Mow no more than 1/3 of the blade of grass at one time.
Watering –
Watering your lawn early in the morning will decrease growth of fungus in your yard (it is uncommon to see fungus in bermuda). Watering heavier & less frequently will increase the quality of grass through a deeper root structure.
Weed Control –
Apply a Pre-Emerge 2 times a year.
Spring – approximate time to apply – March 10th – 20th. Make sure product is applied & watered in by April 1st.
Fall – approximate time to apply – August 20th – Labor Day. Make sure product is applied & watered in by Labor Day.
DO NOT ADD PRE-EMERGE TO NEW SOD. WAIT UNTIL ESTABLISHED!
Fertilization:
Apply fertilizer at least 2 times a year. (13-13-13 spring & fall). For an extra green, lush lawn apply 46-0-0 during the growing season. Note: this will also increase the mowing of your lawn. **An alternative is 17-5-5 (formulated by O.S.U.)
