Project details
Skill
1 out of 5Easyalthough the larger the lawn, the more difficult the job
Cost
about 20 to 50 cents per square foot for sod
Estimated Time
6 to 8 hours for a small- to medium-size lawn
In this video, This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook shows how to create a lush, new lawn with sod.
Steps for Laying Sod
- Remove old grass from lawn with a cutter mattock.
- Run a rotary tiller over the area to loosen up the top 6 to 8 inches of soil.
- Spread 1-inch layer of compost over the area. One cubic yard of compost covers 300 square feet at 1 inch thick.
- Use rake to fill low spots and smooth out high spots of compost.
- Apply lime to the area using a walk-behind broadcast spreader.
- Use a walk-behind spreader to apply starter fertilizer.
- Unroll first roll of sod starting along the edge of the lawn.
- Continue to unroll sod, making sure to press the joints tightly together.
- Stagger the joints between courses of sod.
- When laying sod around curves, line up the sod along inside edge of curve, then use a snap-off utility knife to cut through excess sod at inside corner.
- Water the sod every day for the first week, every other day for the second week, and then 1 inch of water per week.
Tools
You may choose to rent a power tiller from Home Depot.
