Laying sod over existing grass? (2024)

Can you just lay sod over existing grass?

People often think that laying sod over an existing lawn makes sense and saves time. In fact, laying fresh sod over an existing lawn is no shortcut and could kill your sod and cause you twice as much work. Removing your old lawn before laying new sod is crucial for a healthy root system.

What happens when you put sod over grass?

One of the most important reasons why you should not lay sod over an existing lawn is that when you lay sod over existing grass, the roots of the sod won't make contact with the soil beneath. This means that the sod will have a harder time taking root and may eventually start to die.

How do you remove old grass before laying sod?

A sod cutter slices under the grass, enabling you to pull up strips of old turf. Using a hoe or sod cutter will be easier if your lawn soil is moist. Remove old lawn after heavy rain or deep watering. First, make 2-inch deep cuts in the turf every 2-feet using either a manual or a power edger.

Do I need to remove grass and weeds before adding sod?

Killing Weeds Before Laying Sod: Why Does It Matter? If you don't remove weeds and your current turf before laying new sod, the old grass and weeds will creep back in and infiltrate your pristine new Orlando, FL lawn. It's a crucial step.

Can you lay sod without tilling?

You don't have to rototill before laying sod but, we strongly recommend it. Go over the area multiple times to break up any large clumps.

Is it OK to put sod on top of a few weeds?

Weeds are extremely resilient, and will more than likely work its way through your brand new sod. So make sure you get rid of all the weeds before laying any new sod! The best way to get what it needs is for the sod to be laid flush against the soil.

What should you not do when laying sod?

Why can't you walk on new sod?

Take care not to walk or run on new sod, as this can prevent the fragile young roots from developing properly. If you have pets, try to prevent as much contact with the newly installed sod as possible.

Should you water grass after laying sod?

Begin watering newly laid sod within 30 minutes of installation. Apply at least 1” of water so that the soil beneath the turf is wet. Ideally 3”-4” of soil beneath the surface should be moist. Turf is a living plant that requires ground contact and moisture to survive.

Does sod look dead at first?

If you've recently laid down new sod, you may have noticed brown spots appearing when the temperature drops. If it's the first time you've ever laid sod, you might mistakenly think that this brown sod is dead, but that's not the case! Brown sod is not always dead sod.

Does sod prevent weeds from growing?

Premium, high-quality sod is typically weed-free when you receive it. However, weeds may appear when you lay new sod over soil that already contains live weeds. If weeds appear in your new sod, you need to exercise caution before using herbicides to control them.

Can you lay grass on top of grass?

Yes, you can temporarily disguise bald patches in your lawn by laying new turf over old grass and the new turf will probably root into it in the short term. But the effect will not last – your new lawn will soon look like your old one and you will have wasted your money!

How do you know if new sod has taken root?

It's easy to determine if the new sod has taken root. Gently lift one corner of a sod piece. If the roots haven't fully developed, there'll be little to no resistance when you lift it. But if you can't easily lift the sod, the root system has properly developed.

Can I lay sod on hard dirt?

Don't stress too much about it. With a little extra effort, it's totally possible to install sod over rocky soil.

Should I put fertilizer down before laying sod?

TIPS FOR LAYING SOD | BE SURE TO FERTILIZE FIRST!

Apply a Starter Fertilizer first, before laying down the sod. You would also want to include an application of Gypsum, which will loosen the existing ground and encourage a healthier root system.

How much sod can one person lay in a day?

Lay sod on the day of delivery

The average person can comfortably lay 2,000 to 2,500 square feet in one eight-hour day. Make sure your yard is completely ready before delivery or pick-up, and order only what you can lay in one day. Sod is perishable!

How often should you sprinkle new sod?

Water your new sod at least three times a day the first two weeks for at least 15 to 20 minutes in every area of your lawn. That time is, however, dependent on how much water your sprinkler emits.

How do you keep sod alive before planting?

You've researched and planned for your day of laying sod, so to keep it top quality, lay your sod the same day you receive it AND store it in the shade as you lay it. To preserve its farm fresh quality, you still want to store it in the shade while you lay it, even though you're laying it the same day it's delivered.

Why is my freshly laid sod dying?

New sod is especially prone to drying out because of its shallow root system. Brown spots occur when sod dries out and experiences drought shock. Sod will go into dormancy to combat the lack of water it's experiencing. Once dormant, it needs water or it will die.

How long does it take for sod to root?

It can take up to six weeks for the sod to develop a deep root system. As the sod develops its shallow root system and moves on to develop a deeper root system, it's critical to increase the amount of time between waterings to encourage roots to grow deeper in search of moisture without stressing the lawn.

Should sod be laid before or after rain?

Should You Install Sod in Rain? A light drizzle may not be a big deal when you're installing sod; however, It's best not to install sod in heavy rain. Heavy rain makes the ground muddy and harder to work with.

Can you walk on new sod after a week?

If you walk on your sod before its roots have established, you're lessening your chances of success. How long must you wait to use your new sod lawn? The general recommendation is to wait two weeks – but the number of days you wait is really dependent on determining that the lawn has, indeed, taken root.

Should you water sod during the day?

Make Sure You're Watering Enough

This should be enough so that your lawn gets a solid six inches of watering per cycle. The morning and late afternoon are the best times to water your lawn but remember to adjust your watering schedule to account for rainfall.

How long should sod be watered daily after installation?

After the first day, your new sod should be kept thoroughly moist throughout the day, running sprinklers 4-6 times a day for 10 minutes during the hottest parts of the day when moisture loss is highest (9am - 4pm), stopping by 5:30pm to reduce fungus growth.

What happens if you don't water new sod?

Newly laid sod should be watered for at least 45 minutes immediately following your sod installation. Too short of a watering time won't allow the sod or soil to gather enough moisture to begin the rooting process. Provide your sod with ample water that will enable the roots to grow into the soil.

Is it better to overwater or underwater sod?

Overwatering your lawn is actually worse than under-watering because it will cause more damage. An under-watered lawn will struggle and die, while an overwatered lawn will not only kill off your lawn, but can also ruin the soils underneath.

Which is better sod or grass seed?

The most significant difference between seeding and sodding is the time it takes to develop a mature grass stand. Sodding is quicker; it's simply transplanting mature grass. Seeding establishes grass from an earlier stage.

What is the best base for sod?

Your sod grows best in well-aerated and oxidized base soil. As you rototill your yard, you loosen and strengthen your soil to give it the oxygen newly-planted sod needs. Also level the soil to about one inch below your driveway and sidewalks to give your new sod enough room.

Is it normal for sod to turn yellow?

Stress from direct sun exposure, hot temperatures, and windy conditions lead many pieces of sod to at least temporarily turn yellow before they recover.

How long does sod last?

Once sod is harvested, it begins to decompose. The rate at which this happens is determined by the air temperature. Sod ordered in winter will last for up to a week on the pallet, but if you are installing in the hot summer it will only last for 24 hours or less.

How long does it take for sod to adhere to the ground?

It can take up to six weeks for the sod to develop a deep root system. As the sod develops its shallow root system and moves on to develop a deeper root system, it's critical to increase the amount of time between waterings to encourage roots to grow deeper in search of moisture without stressing the lawn.

Is sod or seed better?

The most significant difference between seeding and sodding is the time it takes to develop a mature grass stand. Sodding is quicker; it's simply transplanting mature grass. Seeding establishes grass from an earlier stage.

How long does it take for sod to become permanent?

It takes about two weeks for shallow roots to form and six weeks for deep root growth. As long as you prepare and care for your sod properly, it will look gorgeous and green this entire time. But how do you know if it has successfully rooted? It's pretty simple.

Should you put topsoil down before sod?

Adding topsoil is not essential for sod but it will provide some benefits. What topsoil does is increases a soil's water and nutrient holding capacity, so if you do add it, the intervals between watering and fertilizing will be longer.

How often should I water new sod?

Depending on the temperature, you should water it 2 to 6 times a day for 4 to 6 minutes at a time. The hotter it is, the more you should water it. The goal is to keep the sod and soil underneath moist, but no longer soggy, throughout the day.

Should you water sod after rain?

If it's wet; it rained enough. If it's dry; get out the sprinkler and water even if it "rained" that day. Look out your window - if it's a cloudy and slightly cooler day, your new sod will dry out slower.

How many days does sod last?

Once sod is harvested, it begins to decompose. The rate at which this happens is determined by the air temperature. Sod ordered in winter will last for up to a week on the pallet, but if you are installing in the hot summer it will only last for 24 hours or less.

What is the easiest sod to grow?

Zoysia grass is a popular choice for homeowners who want to add some color and texture to their lawns. In fact, it's known as being one of the easiest turfgrasses.

What is the most efficient way to lay sod?

Lay the rolls out in a brick-wall pattern, staggering the cuts and leaving no gaps (but don't overlap the edges.) If your property is sloped, you'll get better water retention if you lay the sod horizontally across the slope rather than vertically down the slope.

Will sod come back after it looks dead?

Dormant grass can be revived with a bit of TLC. However, dead grass will need to be resodded in order to restore your lawn. If there are easy-to-distinguish sections of green and brown in your lawn, chances are the brown or pale areas are dead and need to be resodded. After all, you can't actually revive dead grass.

Will sod grow back if it looks dead?

Sod may die due to over-watering, under-watering, too little sunlight or fungal disease. Completely dead sod will not regrow, but it can be tilled into the topsoil to aid in the rooting of new sod.

Will dead sod come back next year?

Dead grass isn't coming back, so you'll need to take steps to regrow your lawn. You can replace the grass by seeding or sodding — or installing a new type of landscaping material such as mulch, rocks or groundcover.