When you invest in quality sod from Summerhill Lawns, you must make sure you take great care with preparation and the actual laying. One of the very best times to lay sod is in the spring, because the cooler temperatures and rainfall will help it to root. You can also lay sod in summer months, but you’ll be wanting to make sure you water it very regularly – at least every day during the time that it takes for it take root.
The first thing you must do is to prepare the ground very thoroughly, getting rid of stones, sticks and other items, and then work to make the ground as level as possible. Soils vary so much in their quality and composition. In some places, sandy soils can be a problem for the laying of sod. In these situations, it’s a good idea to use fertiliser or compost to provide the good humus content so essential for healthy growing.
You must also ensure that the ground is flat and even. Break up any large lumps of soil and use rake the area over thoroughly before tamping or rolling to compress it. When your grass sod rolls arrive, know how you are going to lay them. Eliminate long ‘seams’ by arranging rolls in an overlapping, brick bond type pattern, rather than a tile pattern, using a sharp blade to trim overlapping rolls.
When your lawn is laid, use a light roller over the entire area, then water it gently but thoroughly. I get a lot of people asking how soon they should mow their new lawn – my advice is to hold off on the mowing until the lawn is properly established. Once you can see it has taken root, give it its first mow.
Although sod grass is resilient, you do need to treat it with care during the early stages. Follow all of these instructions and you will be well on the well to having a lovely, lush looking lawn that you and your family can enjoy through the summer.