Sod installation can be pretty expensive if your backyard is in need of a full reset, however if you can do a little of the prep work yourself you may be able to save a little money. At Sod Father Landscaping LLC we have sod installation packages for New Jersey properties of all sizes. We want to help you get your yard entertainment ready for the upcoming warmer months. So why not give some of the suggestions below a try and handle some of the prep work yourself, then call us to deliver and lay the sod for you. Remember installing sod requires a lot of physical labor, and the use of some equipment.
TIP #1 – Visit your local Home Depot or Amazon.com to find a soil testing kit. This will help you to see what type of soil you have and what nutrients may be lacking in your soil. Just follow the directions in the kit and you will know why grass is struggling to grow in your yard.
TIP #2 – Remove any existing grass, stones and weeds. Any stone that is larger than the size of quarter you will want to remove from the area that is going to be sodded. This can also be a lot of physical work, but it is one less thing the landscaper who installs your sod will have to do. You will have to rake and grade the area to get it level so that all the sod installer has to do is lay the sod. Do your research to make sure are using the right equipment to clear out the existing grass and weeds. Remember you don’t want any high spots. This is why a quality sod job will cause you more than a cheap one. A professional company like Sod Father Landscaping and Construction LLC will always take the time to make sure the area is prepped properly prior to laying the sod.
TIP #3 – Add the needed soil amendments. In some cases, your soil may be really bad, and you may have to hire someone to install a fresh layer of dirt after removing the old dirt. You want to make sure the soil treatments are based on your soil test results. For example, in some cases lime, or a starter fertilizer, may be needed to increase the pH in the soil. You will need to know what type of amendments are needed for the deficiency in your lawn. When Sod Father Landscaping and Construction LLC is installing sod we take care of this aspect for you, so you don’t have to worry about the little things and to give your sod the best chance to root itself and grow. Of course, if you are doing this part yourself make sure you do the research, since adding the wrong amendment to the soil can do more harm than good.
TIP #4 – Till the soil after adding the soil amendments and add some topsoil as needed. You will want to work the amendments you just added into the soil, especially if you are working with soil that is compacted. If you have sandy soil, you can skip this step.
TIP #5 – The last thing to do is determine the type of sod you will need for your yard. Remember that some sod grows well in shade and others grow well in full sun. If you are not sure you can ask your landscaper which would work best and allow them to order the best option.
Remember what works for your neighbor’s lawn may not work for your lawn. Each property can be different depending on the type of soil, and the amount of sun and shade the property gets.