4 Key Tips to Preparing Your Yard for New Sod
So, you have decided once and for all that this is the time of year to start that project, and finally get that front yard looking exactly how you always wanted it to look. Or maybe you read our previous blog located here, and finally feel motivated to lay new sod this season. Whatever your situation is, when you decide to install a new lawn and take advantage of the best time of the year to do it, you’re going to need some useful tips on how to prepare your yard. Sod is an investment, so it’s important to prepare your yard properly so you reap all the benefits of a successful lawn.
Let our experience with growing and installing sod help you with any project you hope to accomplish this season. Here you’ll find a few tips that we can give you when preparing to lay sod.
Remove any weeds or existing grass from the area
Whether your current project involves removing existing grass or you are planning to lay sod in a new area – your first step should always be to clear the area. This involves removing any existing grass or weeds, debris, and any large stones or clay that could affect the placement of new sod. The simplest method is to rake the area of any debris, but if you possess a tiller, you can break apart the top 4-6 inches of ground to reveal and remove any debris.
Optional: It may be a good idea to spray weeds with non-selective herbicide to guarantee they won’t invade your new grass as well. This is especially true if you have a severe weed or noxious grass problem.
Prepare your soil
If you read our previous blog, you would know that we mentioned how important preparing your soil is – and we meant that. Now that the area is clear of debris, it’s best practice to level the area by using a rake and ensuring any high spots and low spots are now evened. Apply and spread an adequate amount of high quality top soil, resulting in a depth of 3 – 3.5 inches.
Additionally, you will want to roll/compact the top soil using a roller. Another method to compacting top soil without a roller, is using plywood or the back of a shovel. However, we would always recommend a roller to best help the sod roots come into better contact with the soil. As well, if you are laying sod near a driveway, walkway or road then ensure the top soil applied is one inch below to ensure an easier mowing experience.
Install any Irrigation
At this stage, once your soil is leveled and in good condition you will then be in good standing to install your sprinkler system. If you are planning on installing your own irrigation system, just keep in mind that the sprinkler heads should be a ½ inch above the dirt. This gives the heads enough room for the sod, since the sod typically lies ¾ – 1 inch in depth.
Measure the area
Our final key tip is ensuring you have the correct amount of sod for your project scope. This means calculating the sod required by measuring the length and width of the area in feet. This is the formula you need to determine the number of square feet needed:
Length X width = number of square feet needed.
You can also order the sod for delivery or pickup for your expected day of installation. If you need a quote or assistance determining the amount of sod you would need, feel free to contact us at 1-250-549-2967 or fill out our request a quote form here.
Conclusion
At Lavington Turf Farms, we know the investment that comes with preparing to lay sod and the importance of doing it properly so you achieve the full benefits of a healthy yard. We always strongly stand by that preparation is key to the success of your sod – but we are always here if you have any questions with your own projects. With these tips you should be ready to tackle any project and apply your sod this season in full confidence.
Service Area
We proudly serve the following areas: Vernon, Coldstream, Lumby, Salmon Arm, Sorrento, Revelstoke, Kamloops, Kelowna, Penticton, Kootenays, and Caribou, all the way to the USA Border.
For more information or a free quote for your project, please visit this page on our website.
The Best Time To Lay Sod in The Okanagan & BC Interior
Family owned and operated since 1988, we have been providing top quality sod and turf for many applications including: residential, golf and sports fields. Our experience comes from years of practice – and our roots run deep within the industry. With all that being said, to put it simply; we know turf/sod and the Okanagan pretty well.
With Spring fast approaching – it’s no question that residents within the Okanagan & BC Interior have been planning new projects that could include; beautiful lawns for their yards, new golf courses or creating/expanding a sports field! But how do you know when is the right time to lay sod? While it seems pretty straight forward, there are better times to lay sod to ensure you end up with lush, low-growing, thick grass.
Let’s get rolling!
When is the best time to lay sod in the Okanagan?
Due to the warm summers with low humidity, and the mild winters; the Okanagan’s semi-arid climate is the perfect location to start your sod/turfing needs. Within Okanagan and Interior British Columbia, you can install turf any time from early spring to late fall.
Spring to late fall is an ideal time range because that’s when the ground can be easily worked with, and tilled to prepare for perfect sod application. That being said, we strongly believe that with the right preparation, there is no need to wait for the “right” season to put on your lawn!
The right preparation means ensuring the ground is in it’s best condition to retain sod, measuring your sod to ensure it lays correctly, and keeping up with the sod’s maintenance to ensure you produce long roots and beautiful grass. For more information on getting started, this page will let you know everything you need about sod preparation, and maintenance.
Tips for laying sod in the Spring
Spring is a fantastic time to lay down some new sod – but the warm to cool temperatures can come with a few drawbacks.
The occasional rain fall will greatly help the sod quickly root – but be warned, too much rain means muddy soil, which can make it more challenging to apply sod. We recommend not applying sod after a full rainfall – but being strategic with the application. Damp soil is great, and a huge advantage for your sod to quickly root – just be sure to act fast, and not wait for your soil to turn to mud!
With the transition from winter to spring – comes the expectancy of morning frost as well. Be sure to not walk too much on the new sod after frost, or else it could damage your new grass. For the spring, nutrients, sunlight and rain are abundant – it is an excellent time to lay your sod down.
Tips for laying sod in the Summer
As mentioned before, laying sod can be done the majority of the year – however, there are some important notes to keep in mind when laying sod in the summer. The Okanagan summers can typically be quite hot, and while it may be tempting to water your sod often – be sure to not over water it. Ideally, you will want your soil to be damp 3-4 inches below its surface.
Due to the nature of the summer temperatures – its most ideal to water your sod in the early mornings, and late afternoons. These times give the water more chances of soaking directly into the soil – watering during the day could mean, on those hot days, the water evaporating before ever reaching your soil, resulting in your sod not rooting.
Tips for laying sod in the Fall
While the fall within the Okanagan can be unpredictable and range from warm to cold – it’s still an excellent, and most times, ideal season for laying sod! Keep in mind that laying sod shouldn’t be done in below freezing temperatures – but rather, on those warmer days.
Fall is the preferred season to lay sod due to cooler temperatures; meaning less risk of the sod overheating and drying out. That being said, it’s still a good practice to water your sod often – but compared to summer months, you won’t have to fear your sod drying out.
Your sod will love the cooler temperatures, but so will you – these cooler temperatures also make for great working conditions!
Conclusion
Whatever your sod or turfing needs are – it’s always a great time to install within the Okanagan. While each season supplies its own advantages and disadvantages, you are always guaranteed fantastic results and growth following our best practices. After all, the success of your lawn really comes down to the preparation you have for the elements – rather than the elements themselves.
At Lavington Turf Farms, we want you to have the best experience possible when applying your sod, and end up with the best results. Our quality sod is perfect for battling the elements to give you lush, low-growing grass any time of the year.
The seasons can be unpredictable, but Lavington Turf Farms isn’t. From our field to your yard, we offer fast delivery and the ability to pick up at the farm direct.
For more information or a free quote for your project, please visit this page on our website.
