- Installing sod grass is the easiest way to a beautiful lawn. Once established, a sodded lawn is easy to care for and provides a lush, soft place for adults to relax or for children to play on. Before ordering sod squares, make sure you know what type of grass will grow the best in your area. Grass is difficult to grow in fully shaded areas. If you have a lot of trees, find a sod that is advertised to grow in the shade.
- Remove the current sod from the yard. If you have patchy grass, use a Roto-tiller to till it under. Rake the yard to remove any stones and smooth out any clumps of dirt. Wet the soil down thoroughly.
If you will be installing a sprinkler system, now is the time to do it. Make sure you run the pipes according to the instructions with the sprinkler heads. The sprinkler heads should be placed so that all areas of the lawn can be reached. - Starting against the driveway, start placing sod squares in a single row next to the driveway. Use your foot to kick the sod squares up against the driveway and against each other. Continue with the next row, butting it up against the first row. Then use your foot to push the sod up tight against the first row. Continue working in rows until the entire yard is covered.
Water the sod immediately after it is laid down. Always water deeply to encourage root establishment and growth. Sod should be watered twice a day---early in the morning before the sun gets hot, then again in the evening once the sun starts to go down. Do not water the new sod during the middle of the day, as the grass could possibly burn and the water will just evaporate and not do any good.
During the second week, water once a day, every day. In the third week, cut watering to every other day. For the fourth week and thereafter, water deeply once a week. Once the roots become established, you can fertilize the yard. Watch for pests and spray accordingly.
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