Sod Installation - Get the Lawn You Want!
If you are thinking about doing some sod installation on your property, here are some things to consider.
If you are looking for a professional company that knows how to install sod at an affordable rate, contact us.
Sod Installation
1. Benefits of Sod Installation
Sod installation will give you an almost instant, beautiful lawn
There are several benefits to laying sod instead of simply sowing grass seed.
Get an Almost Instant Lawn:
The biggest advantage of laying sod rather than sowing grass seed is the time saving you’ll have. Sod installation will give you an instant lawn that looks amazing instantly and is fully established in as little as two to three weeks.
Better Weed Control:
The grass grown on the rolls of sod is so thick and dense, that it is difficult for weeds to get started. As weeds appear, they can be easily spotted and pulled out. When you sow grass seed, it is much more difficult to keep the weeds from growing with the grass seed.
Better For Erosion:
Grass seed is susceptible to being washed away by heavy rain or draining water like near a downspout on your house. Seed can also be blown away by strong winds. This is not an issue for sod.
You Can Use Your Lawn Sooner:
Your pets can play on a sod lawn sooner than a seeded one
Not only will you get an instant lawn that looks great when you lay sod, but you will also be able to use your lawn sooner than if you simply plant grass seed.
After the roots of your sod are established (about two to three weeks), you can walk on it, your kids and pets can play on it, and you can start doing outdoor entertaining as you would any other yard.
If you choose to seed your lawn, you will need to let it grow and fully establish itself for at least two full months or even better one full growing season before you can start to use it.
2. How Much Does Sod Installation Cost
Getting sod installation done by a professional company will cost you approximately $1.50 per square foot. This price will vary, however, depending on a number of different factors. These include:
Size of Area:
The larger the area that you want to be sodded, the more money you will pay. However, the cost per square foot will be less for larger areas.
Sod installation price per square foot will go down for larger projects
So you might want to get a quote for doing both your front and back yards if you were thinking of doing sod installation in the front and seeding the back. The lower cost per square foot may be worth the added benefits of having a completely sodded property.
Grade of the Lot:
If your lawn has uneven areas or elevation changes, then the price will increase. If your lawn needs a lot of levelling out in order to install the sod properly, it will involve more time and effort so that will be added to your cost.
Quality of Soil:
If the soil in your yard is of poorer quality, then your sod installation may not be as successful. You may need to put down a layer of nutrients and compost to enrich the soil and give your sod the boost it needs to thrive.
It is a good idea to test your soil before you install your sod so that you will know if you need to add anything to it in order to get the best results.
Turf grasses usually prefer soil that has a pH level that is more acidic (from 6.5 to 7.0). You can get a soil testing kit from a gardening store such as Canadian Tire or a local gardening centre. They cost about $15.
3. Sod Installation FAQ
Q - What is the best time of year to do sod installation?
The best time to install sod is in the cooler weather - Image Source: Home Depot Video Screenshot
The best time to install sod is either in the spring or fall when the temperatures are cooler and there is more rain so you won't need to do as much watering. However, you can lay down sod all summer long as well, but you will need to make sure that it gets enough water.
Q - How do you know how much sod you will need?
Figuring out how much sod you will need is a simple calculation of the area that you want to cover. If your yard is rectangular in shape, then measure the length of your yard and the width and then simply multiply those two numbers together to get the square footage.
For example, if your yard is 33ft wide (10m) wide and 66ft deep (20m), your square footage would be 2,178 (200 square metres).
The following video shows you the steps to take to calculate the square footage of an irregular shape.
Learn how to calculate the square footage of an odd-shaped area
If your yard is an unusual shape, it might help to draw the shape of it on a piece of paper to figure out the area.
Q - What steps do you take for sod installation?
Here are the basic sod installation how-to steps to follow.
Step 1: Test, Prepare, and Treat Your Soil
Step 2: Take Accurate Measurements and Order Your Sod
Step 3: Level off Your Ground
Step 4: Lay Your Sod, Starting Along a Straight Side
Step 5: Fill Seams with Soil and Roll Over the Sod
Step 6: Water Your Sod Regularly
Sod installation is best done by a professional company if you want to be sure of success.
Q - How often do you need to water new sod?
Give the sod enough water but be careful not to over-water it
It is best to water your sod twice a day until it is established. You should do this in the morning and then again in the afternoon. You should do a deep watering each time. Make sure that the soil is well saturated but don't water so much that it becomes too soggy like pudding.
*Note: Sod that has been overwatered will turn yellow just like sod that has been under-watered, so make sure you know the reason for the change in colour before you start to automatically water it again.
Q - Should you fertilize new sod?
Fertilizing any lawn, even sod will help it to thrive. However, you should wait about 30 days before you apply fertilizer to a newly sodded lawn.
Professional Sod Installation by Citywide
With Citywide Fences & Decks, you'll enjoy personal service like no other. If you are looking to transform your property, a new lawn from Citywide will make a world of difference!
Our expertise and unmatched customer service have earned us a reputation for the finest craftsmanship, professionalism and friendliness in the industry. Not only will you appreciate your new lawn, but you will also enjoy working with us.
Citywide Fences & Decks is a locally owned and operated business based in the Kitchener-Waterloo region. We have been proudly serving our community with the highest quality services for more than 14 years.
The services we offer include:
We provide free estimates, friendly expert advice, and a range of products and options to transform your property into something truly spectacular and functional. Contact us today for your free quote.
What our customers are saying…
“Great customer service. Fast and great crew. Love the work and finish… highly recommended.”
— Val