KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – SUCCESSFUL SOD

KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – SUCCESSFUL SOD

Sod: We haven’t talked about putting in sod. Whether you’re doing the entire lawn or a small patch installation is pretty simple. Make sure you have a good base tilled soil augmented with a mixture of 2 parts top soil to one each sand and compost. With the heavy clay soil in the Chicago area it can never hurt to add these 3 components.

The most important time of sod success is after it’s laid. Proper watering is essential! For the first couple days soak it thoroughly. Long soak both days imperative that the soil under the sod gets wet. When the ground is wet it’s good to roll the sod with a sod roller. This is a heavy concrete wheel newer models use wheels that you fill with water. These are available at Home and Garden Centers. This will force the sod roots to adhere to the soil underneath. If you don’t have a roller or a friend you can borrow one from walk on 1 x 12 inch board. It’s most important to do this on the seams! These are the spots that give us the most trouble. They’re the first places to dry out and have bad root adherence.

Next four days water every other day. By now the roots should be reaching into the yard soil. Now is time for the first mowing even if it doesn’t look like it needs it. Some spots will need a cut besides it looks better all one length. Grass should never be cut shorter than 3 inches!! If it’s very hot or you can’t water as soon as you need mow to 4 inches. After 2 mows fertilize with one that promotes root growth.

With a little work putting in sod can be successful. Too many people think there’s not much to be done after laying it down. That’s a prescription for failure and a lot of money down the drain.

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO