Generally it is best to lay sod during the active growing period of your turfgrass species: cool-season grasses do best when planted during the early fall or early spring and the warm-season grasses do best when planted mid-late spring.

The Best Way to Lay Sod Next to Concrete Make sure the topsoil height is at least 1 inch lower than concrete surfaces. Create a slight slope away from concrete areas, so water does not drain onto them. Install your sod alongside concrete, leaving no gaps. Cut pieces of sod to fit curved or irregular concrete edges.

1. Remove the Old Grass. Before laying sod, the old grass and a bit of the old soil beneath it has to be taken away.
2. Prepare the Soil. Use a garden rake (also known as a bow rake) to level the soil and break up any large chunks.
3. Lay the Sod.
4. Neaten the Edges.
5. Water Frequently.

Laying Sod: A Few Rookie Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overlapping Rolls. It might be tempting to overlap your rolls of sod for full coverage, but the end result will only be a lumpy, uneven lawn.
2. Mowing the Lawn Too Soon.
3. Forgetting to Roll.
4. Failing to Prep Your Soil.
5. Not Watering Your Sod.

The soil in the planting area should be moist, not soggy or dry. Water thoroughly one or two days before the sod is delivered so that the top several inches of soil are wetted. Then allow time for the soil to drain so that it’s not muddy and is workable.

You need to add topsoil before laying sod if your existing topsoil is less than 2 inches (5 cm) deep and the soil below that is mostly clay or sand. Sod will struggle to root in extremely sandy or clay soil, so adding topsoil will help your grass flourish.

It can take up to six weeks for the sod to develop a deep root system. As the sod develops its shallow root system and moves on to develop a deeper root system, it’s critical to increase the amount of time between waterings to encourage roots to grow deeper in search of moisture without stressing the lawn.

Sod can be heavy and cumbersome. An extra pair of hands will make the sod installation process much easier. Dampen the soil before unrolling your new turf. Using a straight edge in your yard, unroll the first row of sod. Try following the line of your patio, driveway or fence to keep the edges straight and even.

Sod laid in thin strips leading up a slope often slide when water gets beneath them. Because of the uneven ground of a slope, sod often struggles to take root. This makes using a lawn roller to remove air pockets and press to sod to the soil below even more essential than in other parts of your yard.

Use a cultivator to get the job done, or a spade or garden rake if your area is smaller. Once you’ve cultivated the soil, put a brick in the trench on its long end or lay it flat, depending on your preference. Make sure the top of each brick is level with the mason’s line.

Use a spreader to lay down fertilizer. This last step ensures that the sod you lay will have all the nutrients it needs to get a healthy start. High-phosphate starter fertilizer is usually recommended. Lay it evenly and work it into the soil according to the instructions that come with the packaging.