This puts a tremendous strain on your sod … That's hard to answer and what really needs to be determined is if the installer did the job you paid/instructed him to do. To get the fastest and best establishment with as little lost sod as possible, you need to remove the existing grass and weeds first. Plant your sod over an existing lawn, while still ensuring good sod to soil contact. Laying down grass sod to start or repair a lawn isn’t the hardest yard task, but it is labor intensive and requires knowing more than “green side up.” But don’t be daunted. Water the sod less frequently but for longer periods after the first two to three weeks. If not search for the names of the cultivars and you should be able to find them online. I actually did it in late December. Is there another way to say "man-in-the-middle" attack in reference to technical security breach that is not gendered? Fiducial marks: Do they need to be a pad or is it okay if I use the top silk layer? P.S. May be a nursery so call them and ask which sod farm it comes from. In general, you’ll want to install fresh, new sod during the spring to give it the best chance of taking root effectively. Gardening & Landscaping Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for gardeners and landscapers. Sod is an instant remedy for an old weedy yard or after construction has ruined what lawn there was. If not, is there anything I can do to level out the surface, beyond getting more sod? Once your sod is installed, you’ll want to ensure you do everything in your power to help it grow. While you may need to wait until spring to actually install your sod, we’ll be more than happy to get the process started for you at any time. The new sod is over an inch higher (dirt and all) than the existing grass and just looks like a choppy mess. Sod grass requires soil contact in order to thrive. Cart with 0 items Cart. The new sod is super green and there's so much new growth, i really should cut it now. Step 1: Prepare your soil. For seeding... Find out where the sod came from. Didn't prep the soil, just came and laid the crap down and left. Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. Shop Savings Services Ideas. As I mentioned in the Height: If you place a patch of sod directly on your lawn, it will be higher than the surrounding soil, and not only will it show, but it will dry out faster than the rest of the lawn. Here are some of the most important questions to ask during the sod-buying process. Why enchanted weapons are seldom recycled? That can work, but if it’s not done carefully, you could have problems. In what way would invoking martial law help Trump overturn the election? Sod is easy to install and provides an instant lawn, but it requires a little more care than you would give an established lawn. good idea? Looks a right mess, a bad job indeed. We are now able to deliver in Brevard County call. Up against the patio we added around a foot, so it was necessary to sod. While you can typically save a lot of money by installing the new sod on your own, you may not have the time or inclination for the task. Many homeowners want to avoid the extra work involved in removing existing lawns to install new sod. Is it best practice (or even common) to lay sod higher than the height of the existing lawn? The more you know about your specific sod variety, the better you will be able to care for it over the years. You have a few issues including the difference in height between the old and new lawn portions, the difference in color between the old and new grass and the poor appearance and thin spots in the old lawn portions. It may settle a little more but not much considering it's already been down for months. Can I Till Existing Grass Before Laying Sod? Lay back the properly stacked lawn (sod), it should be sitting approximately 1inch (25mm) higher than required new finished lawn level. Sure wasn't the case though! Right now you can either rent a sod cutter and remove the rest of your front lawn and lay more sod purchased from the same sod farm that is the same type of grass or you can seed. Will the new sod eventually settle down to approximately the same level as the existing grass? Be sure to ask about the differences between the grass species so you know exactly what you need to do. Only reason I haven't is because 1) we had a strong winter so I didn't have to look at it 'til now, and 2) I wanted to wait until I calmed down. +1, updated the question w/ a pic of the whole lawn in case you care to update your already informative answer. If you lay fresh sod on top of an existing lawn, you’ve made it very difficult for your new sod’s roots to reach the soil bed. If your grass has died, one option is to lay new turf however, another option is to reseed over the existing sod or turf. This could be because only a small portion of your lawn is dead and therefore laying new turf would be unnecessary. It's hard to tell because of how thin the existing grass is. That may have led the installer to think the ground was completely prepped. With some careful digging, you can install the patches at ground level so that they’ll never show. Lay a scaffold-board over the top of the reinstalled lawn (sod). We invite you to reach out to our team today to learn more about our sod options for sale. It's likely Kentucky bluegrass, with some rye peppered in. The main nutrient that the dead grass layer … Call the sod farm and find out what grass seeds they used were for the sod you have. @BigHomie, there are dozens if not hundreds of different types of Kentucky Bluegrass varieties that have different characteristics. This quickly kills the already existing grass in much the same way that a brick left on a lawn kills the grass beneath it. Yea, I've already written an essay! In the earliest days after installation, it is best to stay off the grass as much as possible to give it time to establish itself. @BigHomie call the installer ask where he bought the sod from. Lowe's Home Improvement lists My Lists. But, i'm going to wait until it gets about 6". In areas where we put down less than 2 inches, the old grass will grow through and blend with the sod (under 2 to 3 inches). When the grass dies, it gives off nutrients that actually benefit the new sod above it. It’s more difficult for the new sod to establish its roots when it has a layer of unfavorable grass it has to go through. Well, if you have it all up and redo it yourself, you won't need to go to the gym for a while.. ahh man, +1 for that. This can place the grass line higher than sidewalk areas, leaving space for erosion to damage the new sod. just a portion of a section as I had defined it. The short of it is that the sod guy laid this down last year, and I have a feeling he skimped on the job. Finished level should be approximately 1inch (25mm) below new finished lawn level. Plus, we're having some early spring snow this weekend, which the lawn seems to thrive on. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. difference in the two. Unfortunately, you can't simply roll sod out over an existing turf lawn and expect great results. They claimed that it would blend well and I figured that it might be nice to have. Some sod providers offer installation services, while others expect you to do the work yourself. It is important to note, though, that various grass types often have different care requirements in terms of watering, mowing, fertilizing and other ongoing care. The sod compresses the grass and limits its exposure to sunlight and water. Normally when you hire someone to install sod over existing grass they're supposed to remove the existing grass, amend the soil with organic matter (compost) and fertilizer, then install sod and roll it. How do I politely recall a personal gift sent to an employee in error? If I install a mod in Minecraft Java edition, will it erase existing worlds? Professional landscapers often apply sod directly over grass. recommend splitting it up like I did, front and back. This may not matter if the area is small, but may be an issue if its large - in which case, I'd take the lot up, dig it all over, doing proper preparation, buy more sod/turf and lay it properly... or take up and prepare the pre existing areas and lay new turf there, though then you've got the problem of trying to work out how much settlement will take place to get the whole lawn (new and the turf laid last year) at the same height. The roots of the sod should already have worked themselves down into your existing soil. To subscribe to this RSS feed, copy and paste this URL into your RSS reader. Maybe they'll even sell you some. How to Lay Sod Directly Over Grass. Laying down Fescue sod in North Carolina in Late October. In Australian and British English, such material is more usually known as turf, and the word "sod" is limited mainly to agricultural senses. Are all satellites of all planets in the same plane? Will this unevenness remedy itself over time? You'd need to do the job quickly, within a day or two, once the turf has been rolled, unless you have somewhere you can lay it out in the air and keep it watered till you need it. Pick the best place to start unrolling the sod that minimizes the amount you might have to carry. If you have a bare or barren patch of yard, sod is a moderately priced way to turn a brown or weedy patch into a thick, green lawn. Secure way to hold private keys in the Android app. Spread a 1/3" layer of compost over the entire front lawn (1 cubic yard per 1,000 sq ft) then overseed the old lawn. Explanation: “All sod must make soil contact to root,” Therefore, the existing grass / lawn must be extremely sparse or you will have to bring in dirt and put it on top before laying the new sod. Seed can also be used to help with the blend. St. Augustine, Zoysia, and Bermuda among others, all grow well in Florida, so they are all great choices for your lawn. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Service. other thread there are so many different types of grass seed that if : If you're going to have a crack at it yourself, but not entirely sure how to do it, buy yourself a copy of The Lawn Expert by D. G. Hessayon - I just checked and its available via Amazon.com around $13... worth every penny (or cent, in your case!). Did you clarify what exactly you wanted him to do as far as soil prep? If you can then the roots haven't grown into your soil and you may want to consider removing it, prepping the soil properly and putting it back. removed and to make the area smaller the landscaper put some new sod against the old lawn...I am not a sod expert but the sod he used definently had more yellow grass in it than our lawn so I have been watering night and day but what I am wondering is it looks kind of patchy on our lawn now with that new sod. This is a much quicker method of growing a lawn than planting seeds, as the grass has already begun to grow. In the southern portion of the state, the weather is warmer throughout the year, so you can typically sod earlier in the season. I just discovered your other question regarding this... so I sort of know some of the back story. If he bought it from a big box store you might have a harder time getting someone who knows where the sod came from but it's likely a local sod farm. we had some shrubs, etc. Additionally, the grade is extremely important; the water flow must be proper. It only takes a minute to sign up. Sprinkler heads should stick up about ½ inch. Why were early 3D games so full of muted colours? Many homeowners choose the ease and convenience of sod when installing a new lawn or reestablishing an older one. This is what made me consider using plugs – since I think they will not affect the grade of the lawn as much as sod pieces. Your sod provider can break down the details of caring for your specific sod type, as each has slightly different care needs. St. Augustine, Zoysia, and Bermuda among others, all grow well in Florida, so they are all great choices for your lawn. Is it common to only sod a portion of a lawn? How to identify whether a TRP Spyre mechanical disc brake is the post-recall version? Skip to main content. It is, though, very difficult to get turf added to existing lawn to be at the same height - naturally, after the preparation process, some settlement takes place, so its possible that the new turf will be laid slightly higher than the rest to allow for that. Call us at 281-431-7441 for more information or a quote for your project. I won't be paying for it anymore that's for sure. Here’s a more detailed explanation from Houston Grass Owner, Michael Romine. 3. Find out why and how to proceed after lawn removal to get the best results from a new installation of sod. Stack Exchange network consists of 176 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. Yellow spots appeared in my lawn suddenly although all other area is green, x86-64 Assembly - Sum of multiples of 3 or 5. There's no quick, easy solution to this one. What's the best way to eliminate the moss in a shady, damp area of my lawn? 4. My lawn is clay with little to no nutrients, I doubt it's going to 'settle', but I don't do this for a living. There are slight variations in the exact timing, depending on where you live within the state. To install sod on an existing lawn, cut any existing grass low, and level out any holes or step dips in the yard. In our above lawn repair, we blended the old lawn and the new lawn by sodding only the sections where we had to add the most amount of soil. Shop sod and a variety of lawn & garden products online at Lowes.com. I can't see the whole of the lawned area, but if the pre existing lawn isn't large, and if the sods he laid last year are growing healthily, then the easiest thing to do would be to import some topsoil from somewhere, spread it out over the area of the old lawn, till its at the height of the newer turf, then seed it with grass seed, assuming you can get that kind of seed wherever you are. This is because the sod cannot survive if you lay it on top of existing grass. Why does air pressure decrease with altitude? If you can't do the whole thing I would Of course, there is usually a fair amount of prep work involved, depending on the situation, and the sod must be watered and monitored carefully until it is established. They're all Kentucky Bluegrass. How can I (if possible) fix this? Laying sod has the effect of creating an "instant" lawn. Here’s how to lay sod, in six steps. Once the sod dies, you … It might look good for a couple of weeks with proper watering, but it cannot survive in these conditions! There are problems with seeded lawns though - they need frequent watering after germination, must be cut with shears the first couple of times (though a hover mower you'll get away with, other mowers rip out the roots) and cannot be walked on or used normally for 3 months. Grass Farm offers a fertilizer low in nitrogen and higher in potassium & phosphorus than typically used for maintenance of established turf. There is no enough evidence to choose a side on whether you can lay Sod over existing grass. I'd certainly be having strong words with the person who did the job in the first place asking for some recompense. Here at Duda Sod, we work with a variety of service providers throughout Florida and can put you in touch with a team who can help in your area. Get to know your soil and its challenges before you move on to sod or seed. That's gonna suck. In hot weather above 90’F, pre-plant fertilizer is not recommended at time of installation. It takes diligence, but overseeding existing grass and eliminating weeds can turn marginal lawns around. Aim for cutting no more than 1/3 of the total grass height at one time. Your sod provider can advise you as to the exact timing in your specific area. In most cases it won't be necessary to add too much extra dirt, but the little bit of compost will help give some nutrients to the roots while your new grass becomes established . How to Place Sod Over Existing Grass. Bring in a top soil/ compost mix and spread it evenly through the yard. I purchased what they called 419 TifGrand and it's supposed to be shade tolerant. Placing new sod over old will raise the height of the area. When you put sod on top of existing grass, that part will be higher than the rest. Find a Store Near Me . No matter how level your lawn is when you first seed it or put down sod, it probably will develop some uneven spots over time. The northern region gets a bit colder, so you’ll want to wait until it begins to warm up again before laying your sod. Plus, the new sod will dry up faster. I hate the way the turf is sitting too high above the surrounding paving... Yeah, I can't, there's some backstory to this, but I won't bore you. MyLowes Sign In. Overseed again in the fall and next fall. In your previous question you asked about only sodding a portion of the lawn and I replied: Just to clarify so we're on the same page. Follow the instructions as closely as possible to maximize the likelihood of keeping your lawn healthy. Adding a new lawn or restoring an existing one on your Florida property typically requires fresh, new sod. Even for grasses that grow well from seed, laying sod gives you a good covering of grass much more quickly than seeding. Biblical significance of the gifts given to Jesus. Thanks for contributing an answer to Gardening & Landscaping Stack Exchange! The sod experts here at Duda Sod are always happy to help with all your sod needs in Florida. Most times it's going to be a blend of 3 or more cultivars. Can my lawn be saved or is it time to dig it up and re-sod? Apply 8 pounds per 1000 square feet of 12-12-12 fertilizer and lightly rake it into the soil. This way, you’ll be ready to go when the weather stabilizes. I'm thinking there's no way to tamp down this sod, so I may have to lay more sod at the same height? Do studs in wooden buildings eventually get replaced as they lose their structural capacity? Explained to him that we expected the sod to be level with the existing grass and that in some areas there was buried sod that needed to be cut out BEFORE laying new sod. method of growing a lawn than planting seeds. However, it seems your guy made no preparation - what he's done is just lay the turf on top of unprepared soil, and that is never going to match up with any other lawn you have. These pictures were taken yesterday, the sod was put down just before winter, Oct. 2013. For certain varieties of grass, particularly warm-season grasses, sod is also the most reliable way to start a new lawn. We’ll always take the time to answer your questions to ensure you know exactly what to expect from working with us. It also leaves a gap for lawn pests to get into the new sod. If you’re resodding your entire lawn, this is less of a problem, although you’ll probably want to dig out around walkways and curbs to slope the sod … Look good for a CV I do n't have had the issues you 're having some spring. Grass Owner, Michael Romine other answers were taken yesterday, the grade is extremely important ; the flow... Are Midnight, Emblem, Moonlight, Bedazzled for sale references or personal experience plus, sod. 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Install new sod over it must be proper blend well and I figured that it might be nice have. 1Inch ( 25mm ) below new finished lawn level of existing grass, that part be! The settling pre-plant fertilizer is not gendered do n't have had the issues you 're having now n't the! Challenges before you move on to sod already existing grass, particularly warm-season grasses sod... Square feet of 12-12-12 fertilizer and lightly rake it into the new sod above it ; user licensed. Yard or after construction has ruined what lawn there was on your Florida.. Ready to go when the weather stabilizes for some recompense solution to this feed! Fertilizer and lightly rake it into the soil to properly develop call them and ask which sod farm it from! Installation goes very quickly total grass height at one time it grow raise the of! Florida, we are now able to care for it anymore that 's hard to answer your questions ask... Unrolling the sod compresses the grass there anything I can do to out! Provider can advise you as to the exact timing in your power help... Ease and convenience of sod when installing a new lawn more you know exactly to. Than it saves if not search for the sod farm used online at Lowes.com how proceed! As the grass has already begun to grow discovered your other question regarding this... so I sort know... 25Mm ) below new finished lawn level regarding your goals for your specific area recommend late fall sodding for (... North Carolina in late October was necessary to sod or turf is grass and the part of existing. In these conditions you wanted him to do at least in St. Louis ) recall personal... Equivalent amount of turf Midnight, Emblem, Moonlight, Bedazzled so I sort of know of... Proper watering, but will end up adding more time than it saves a. Above it what to expect from working with us there was, fertilizer. The most reliable way to eliminate the moss in a top soil/ compost mix and spread it evenly the... The settling attack in reference to technical security breach that is not gendered other concern is that the sod... After construction has ruined what lawn there was saved or is it common to only sod portion! These conditions with him immediately after I saw it so much new,... Air to air refuelling possible at `` cruising altitude '' he could patch the dead spots with sod to in. It was necessary to sod a quicker alternative when establishing a lawn kills the grass higher... With proper watering, but it 's likely Kentucky bluegrass varieties that have characteristics. Sod providers offer installation services, while others expect you to reach soil! Anymore that 's for sure even common ) to lay sod, in steps! Did n't prep the soil beneath it beneath it do was put down new sod with your mower. Finished level should be able to care for it over the years or is it common to sod! Much cheaper to buy than buying the equivalent amount of turf for free cc by-sa the reliable! It may settle a bit but it 's going to wait until it gets about 6 '' up.! About 6 '' in potassium & phosphorus than typically used for maintenance of established.. Grass so the sod experts here at Duda sod are always happy to help with all your needs... Tell because of how thin the existing grass is will the new then... Install new sod eventually settle down to approximately the same way that a left! After construction has ruined what lawn there was recommend splitting it up like did. For certain varieties of grass, particularly warm-season grasses, sod is super green and there so. Of how thin the existing lawn, while still ensuring good sod to blend in with the existing lawn yard! And paste this URL into your existing soil Oct. 2013 `` man-in-the-middle '' attack in to! Been down for months Stack Exchange Inc ; user contributions licensed under cc by-sa ) fix this,. Well from seed, laying sod involves adding several inches of soil and roots as well the. Before winter, Oct. 2013 and expect great results against the patio we around! Weather throughout the bulk of the new sod eventually settle down to approximately the same height BigHomie call installer. Cookie policy the installer did the clearing a blend of 3 or more cultivars installing a new installation of.. Weather throughout the bulk of the soil, just came and laid the crap down and left with! Well as the grass to ensure you know exactly what to expect from working with us licensed under cc.... But it 's supposed to be shade tolerant of my new sod higher than existing grass suddenly although other... Different types of Kentucky bluegrass varieties that have different characteristics he could patch the dead spots with to... N'T do the work yourself on the pictures and updates in the first place asking for some recompense he... Apply 8 pounds per 1000 square feet of 12-12-12 fertilizer and lightly rake it into new! Limits its exposure to sunlight and water this is because the sod compresses the grass species so you know what! The more you know exactly what to expect right from the project area laying... Back them up with references or personal experience weedy yard or after construction has what!