Technology Makes Landscaping Easier Than Ever
4 Challenges To Successful Sod Installation
Jose Wheeler
If you plan to install sod for a quick lawn, then it's important to do so correctly. The following are a few challenges to be aware of when it comes to sod installation.
1. Slopes
Slopes can introduce a challenge with new sod — erosion. A single rainstorm can send unrooted sod slumping down the slope. If you have slopes in the yard, then it's worth the extra effort to stake down the sod on the upslope edge so that erosion and runoff won't damage it before the grass roots. You can use simply garden staples to affix the sod to the ground. These can be removed in a week or two after the sod roots and anchors the soil against erosion.
2. Slow Drainage
An area that is prone to standing water and slow drainage isn't very conductive to healthy sod rooting and growth. Often, the grass will begin to rot long before it roots sufficiently. Amending the soil with sand and compost can improve drainage somewhat. If the problem is severe, you may need to install perforated drain pipes in the location and route them away from the lawn. You can then sod over the buried pipes without as much worry about the poor drainage.
3. Poor Soil
Poor soil won't have the nutrients available to encourage rooting and healthy new growth on your sod. Ideally, the soil in the lawn should be tested before the sod is even delivered. Then, you can till in fertilizer and other needed soil amendments ahead of installation so that the soil is in prime condition for the initial healthy growth of the new sod. A professional soil test will let you know the quantities of the most important nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as information on lesser nutrients and the acidity of the soil.
4. Shady Spots
Not all sod thrives in shade. If you have areas of the lawn that are heavily shaded by trees or the house, you may need to get a cool-season sod for those locations. Warm-season grasses root poorly and grow weakly, which means the lawn will remain sparse in the shade. Another option is to skip the sod in the shadiest areas and instead mulch the soil or install garden beds. You can then just lay the sod in the sunniest areas of the lawn.
Contact a sod company in your area for more helpful tips about sod installation.
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When I was young, I loved helping my mother in the garden. Our yard was filled with plants and flowers that she kept in immaculate condition. Once I was an adult and bought my first home, I learned that there was much more to landscaping a yard than I ever imagined! After a little trial and error planting a few flowers in my yard that died quickly, I realized the technology that is available to aspiring gardeners makes trial and error a thing of the past. After I found out what my "hardiness zone" was, I realized I was planting flowers made for much cooler climates, and I played around with software that let me design my yard very easily! I learned a lot throughout the experience, so I thought I would share my tips with everyone who needs them. Come back often to check out my new tips!