How to Tell if Your Sod Is Rooted

To answer this question, first, we need to figure out why your neighbor has the best grass in the area before we can answer your query. That lush, healthy grass everyone seems to be gazing over.

You, too, can have a lawn that’s the talk of the block; all you need is a basic understanding of how Sod develops into healthy green grass. Sod is just like any other plant. With gentle care, it grows into a magnificent plant.

Putting down Sod is the first step toward a lush, green lawn, which is a process that takes time and effort. A healthy, flourishing lawn begins with the proper installation of fresh Sod, and there are a few things to keep in mind before you start. Preparation is the key to a successful installation.

How to Prepare for the Installation of Sod

It is important to ensure that you have access to the necessary resources, enough time, and any additional assistance you may require, to complete a task successfully. It would be best if you first took precise measurements of the soil in the region. Precisely take special care to measure to avoid ordering too much.

You should acquire around five percent extra Sod than you anticipate needing. Next, prepare the soil for Sod which involves removing old turf, rocks, and tree roots. Then, loosen and grade the ground, adding organic matter if feasible. Rake your dirt so it’s flat and 1 inch below any surrounding walkways, patios, or roads.

Finally, moisten the soil well, let it settle, and grade it before laying Sod. When you remove rocks and other barriers, Sod can spread its roots easier.

You must have all of this done before the Sod comes, so you can get right to work when it arrives. When left in the open for more than 12 hours, Sod begins to disintegrate, and in hot, sunny conditions, this process can speed up significantly.

You should budget for a little under two hours per Sod skid if you plan on working alone, as each skid contains 70 rolls, or 700 square feet, of Sod. Suppose you need to water as you go or trim parts to fit around curves; factor in some extra time. Again, preparation is key to laying Sod before it warms up or deteriorates, so don’t procrastinate. When sodding a wide area, it’s a good idea to hire help or plan for many deliveries of Sod. If you live in Colorado, you may choose Foothill Landscaping and Irrigation LLC, the industry leading in landscaping with over 21 years of experience.

Finally, when you lay the Sod, roll the entire grass with a lawn roller to encourage the roots to spread out and firmly anchor themselves in the soil.

Deeply water the new Sod every day for as many days as needed, but avoid letting water pool on the Sod. It is important to remember that the initial watering of a sod pad should be sufficient to penetrate the Sod. Depending on the weather, you should water every other day for the following two weeks after the first seven days. Then, give your sod grass an inch of water every week, whether via a sprinkler or natural rainfall, all through the growing season. All of these instructions are subject to change based on weather. Always remember Foothill Landscaping and Irrigation, LLC is the company to call when you need professional landscaping and irrigation expertise.

Your newly sodded grass looks fantastic now that it is in place. It is going to take some time for the grass roots to grow. Normally it takes two weeks for the root development to take place. Therefore, waiting for two weeks before stepping on the Sod is good. That goes for the little ones and the furry ones, too.

How to Check if Your Sod Is Rooted

Testing whether or not fresh Sod has taken root is a simple matter. Carefully pick up a piece of turf by its corner. When you raise that corner, there will be little or no resistance if the roots have not fully formed. Conversely, if it’s not easy to pull the Sod, the roots have established themselves well. Check if the real grass has taken root by testing a few pieces of Sod in various spots. If every one of them puts up a fight, you’ve got yourself a rooted sod.

Ways to Enhance Root Development

There are a few things you can do to help your sod lawn develop a strong root system and ensure you enjoy a beautiful, healthy green lawn:

Adding fertilizer is one option. Sod, like all new lawns, benefits greatly from a healthy dose of fertilizer. The Sod you lay should be fertilized to promote a strong root system that can withstand the elements. Fertilize your plants with either granular fertilizer or liquid fertilizer.

Aerating your grass might be beneficial around a year after you lay Sod. After that, repeat the process twice yearly to make it easy for nutrients, water, and other necessities to reach the roots of the new Sod.

When using a lawn roller, do it shortly after laying the Sod. Because of this, fewer air pockets will form between the topsoil and the Sod, facilitating a stronger bond.

If you are Coloradan, your neighbor’s secret to a beautiful lawn might be Foothills Landscaping and Irrigation LLC. If you want to avoid the hassle of the whole process of sod installation, work with us! We would be happy to help!