Sodding is a fast and easy way to attain a lush green lawn in less time than it takes to see. Our guide can help you get started! Read on to learn how to calculate your sod needs, how to order, how to pick up and how to lay the sod. If you’re not sure that sod is for you, click here to learn more about soddin and the pros and cons compared to seeding with grass seed.
How Much Sod Do I Need?
The first step in your sod journey is to find out how much sod you need. The easiest method is to divide the square footage of the area your are planning to sod by the square footage of the sod itself. At Ken Matthews, we offer two types of sod, Fescue which is 5.32 square feet per piece and Zoysia which is 2.66 square feet per piece. Use the following formulas to learn how many pieces you will need.
Fescue Sod Calculation Formula:
Multiply the width of an area in feet by length of an area in feet to get your square footage.
Width _________ x Length __________ = _________ square feet.
Take your square footage and divide it by 5.32 and round your answer up to the closest whole number.
Square feet ___________ ÷ 5.32 = __________ pieces of fescue sod needed.
Zoysia Sod Calculation Formula:
Multiply the width of an area in feet by length of an area in feet to get your square footage.
Width _________ x Length __________ = _________ square feet.
Take your square footage and divide it by 2.66 and round your answer up to the closest whole number.
Square feet ___________ ÷ 2.66 = __________ pieces of zoysia sod needed.
How Do I Order Sod?
Now that you know how much sod you need, it’s time to order it!
- Sod does best when it is laid within 1 week of it being cut, so we only order sod by request. We must have 2 full pallets (approx. 200 pieces of fescue and 380 pieces of zoysia) on request before we will place an order.
- Sod requests can be placed in person or over the phone at (757) 898-7799. To reserve your sod, we will need your first and last name, phone number, and the number of pieces you need.
- When we have enough requests to place an order, we will call you to confirm your order and inform you of the expected delivery date. All sod orders of 30 pieces or more require a deposit of 50% at the time of ordering.
- If at any time before we order the sod you need to change the number of pieces you need, simply give us a call and let us know. After we order the sod, however, we cannot add any pieces to your request.
How Do I Prep My Lawn For Sod?
Once you know when your sod will arrive, prep your lawn so you are ready to lay the sod as soon as you get it.
- Kill off any weeds and existing grass with KleenUp herbicide according to instructions
- Remove dead plant matter and debris (sticks, stones, etc)
- Perform a soil test and adjust pH if needed Mag-I-Cal (ideal range is 6.2 to 7.0)
- Till soil and amend with Lobster Compost to improve soil quality and drainage
- Level the soil
How Do I Pickup Sod?
Picking up your sod is a piece of cake.
- We will call all the customers on the sod list once it has arrived to let them know it is ready to pick up.
- We will only hold sod for 2 days, unless special arrangements have been made. Any sod not picked up within 2 days, and without making arrangements with us to pickup at a later date, it will be available for sale to other customers.
- When you arrive to pick up your sod, pay at the front counter and the cashier will let you know where to pull around to have your sod loaded.
- We recommend using plastic or tarps if you are planning to transport your sod inside a vehicle. There’s a lot of dir,t and freshly watered sod can be messy!
How Do I Lay Sod?
Once you have your sod, you are ready to install it.
- Water sod if it’s feeling dry
- Apply Jonathan Green New Seeding and Sod fertilizer to the soil
- Lay sod in prepared area, directly onto soil
- Alternate your pieces (every other piece starting lower than the pieces next to them) like a pattern of a brick wall
- Peak the seams so the sod won’t form a gap as they settle
- Cut sod with sharp pruners or a knife if the area is an irregular shape
- If sod is being placed on an extreme slope, secure it to the ground with garden staples
- Thoroughly saturate the sod and the soil once it has been laid.
How to Care for Sod?
Keep sod moist after it’s installed. Depending on the time of year, this may involve watering it every day or (especially in summer) watering it multiple times a day. Once the sod is established, it will only need about an inch of water a week.
Until your sod is fully established, minimize how often you walk on it.
Sod can be mowed about two weeks after installation. Make sure your blades are sharp to prevent tearing and raise them to the proper height for your grass. Keep Fescue mowed to a height os Ideally, Fescue 3-3.5 inches, and Zoysia at a height of 2-2.5 inches.
One month after you’ve installed your sod, fertilize it again with Jonathan Green Veri-Green.