Kansas City Sod –
Briggs Brothers Turf Farm…
Proper site
preparation and soil improvement is necessary before any planting takes
place. This will make it easier for the roots of the grass to penetrate
deeply and evenly. Deep
roots will make the lawn dense, drought resistant and a more efficient
water and nutrient user. A
dense healthy lawn crowds out weeds and resists insects and disease.
New sod should be
installed on bare dirt – nothing growing, nothing dead, no rocks or
other debris.
Add topsoil if
needed to fill in low areas.
Smooth out the topsoil – new sod will conform to whatever humps or bumps
that are there.
When laying the
sod - start from an outside edge – and lay the first strip width ways
against the boundary (if needed - you can trim this back when you have
finished).
Continue laying
adjacent pieces until you have completed the first row of sod along an
entire edge.
Now start the
next row. If you need to stand on the new grass, try to avoid denting or
squashing it. It is important to butt the edges for a tight join between
the rows – you don’t want a gap between the rows.
**Some people say to stagger the seams so they aren’t noticed……It
is NOT necessary to stagger the seams of the rolls of sod….When the sod
is fully rooted the seams shouldn’t be noticed.
Continue like
this, butting and pushing the edges for a tight join but being careful
not to stretch the sod.
Finally, you need
to trim any un-even edges with a utility knife, sharp shovel or sharp
serrated knife – but remember to be careful or avoid walking directly on
the new sod.
NEWLY-LAID SOD
MUST BE WATERED IMMEDIATELY!
Avoid hand
sprinkling because it cannot provide the necessary uniformity.
Most people do not have the patience or time for this.
Apply at least 1
inch of water so that the soil beneath the sod is very wet.
Ideally, the soil below the surface should be wet 3 to 4 inches
down. To check the moisture
level, gently pull back a corner of the sod and push a screwdriver or
other sharp tool into the soil.
It should push in easily and have moisture along the first 3 to 4
inches. Be sure to monitor and keep your sod wet at all times.
DO NOT LET YOUR
SOD DRY OUT BETWEEN WATERINGS!
Follow the
watering and maintenance schedule on our
Sod Care Tab.
Phone: 913 - 681 - 2500