What is the final step before laying the sod rolls?

Before you lay your new sod grass, you need to prepare your soil. Good preparation not only gets your lawn off to a great start, but it also provides the foundation for healthy growth and a beautiful yard for years to come. Here are the essential steps to take before you lay your new sod lawn. 

Clearing the soil 

Remove old grass, weeds, and debris. Use a sod-cutter to remove any existing grass or sod. Rake and remove weeds, branches, bark, and big rocks. 

Tip: Don’t cover old plants or debris with dirt or sod. Old plant material left under your new sod will steal nutrients and eventually result in a lumpy, struggling lawn.

If desired, you can treat the area before working the ground to reduce future weed growth. Weed seeds and rhizomes can remain in the soil just waiting for the opportunity to grow.  Apply a non-selective herbicide (one that works on both grasses and broadleaf weeds, i.e., Glyphosate) to the plant leaves before you clear the soil. Wait the required time (as indicated on the container label) before continuing work on the soil. Be sure the herbicide will not harm the new grass once installed.

Tip: If you don’t use herbicide to destroy weeds before you lay the sod, you can plan to work on broadleaf weeds later.  Mowing regularly at the right height will kill most woody weeds that appear. Once the sod is established in your yard, you can spot-treat broadleaf weeds with a broadleaf herbicide. Undesirable grasses cannot effectively be treated after the fact. 

Grading 

You want a smooth and level surface for your new sod lawn. Remove high areas if needed. Fill low areas so the soil won’t remain continually wet. Create good water flow away from your house. Use a rake to remove rocks and debris as you work the soil. You can use a long, straight item, such as a ladder or a wooden post, to smooth and level the surface. 

Tip: Finish grade your soil to be ¾” below hard edges such as sidewalks and driveways. The new sod will then be at the right height for appearance and mowing efficiency. 

Adding topsoil 

Add soil as needed to level out the low spots, improve your soil, and to form a slope away from your house. Mix the new soil into your existing soil with a rototiller. Mix well to a depth of 4” to 6”. 

Tip: Buy topsoil from a reputable material company. Sandy loam topsoil that has been screened to remove rocks and debris is ideal because it drains freely and is less likely to have weed seeds. Avoid high-nitrogen or high-organic soils that are designed for growing vegetables or flowers.  

Tip:  Never work saturated soil with a tiller or other equipment in wet conditions. This can disrupt soil structure, leading to drainage problems and compaction far into the future. 

Adding lime 

Soils in Western Washington tend to be acidic and benefit from adding lime to reduce acidity. Another way to say it is that you want to increase the soil’s pH. Turfgrass grows best at a pH level of 6.0 to 7.5.  Spread lime over the soil or lawn after installation.

Tip: You can get your soil tested to determine the acidity level. It will almost always show a low pH level. A good rule of thumb for yards in Washington State west of the Cascades is to add 50 pounds of lime per 1,000 square feet.  

Rolling and final ranking 

When you have the soil graded to your satisfaction, it’s almost time for the sod. Rent a water roller. It’s a big drum with a handle. Use your hose to fill the drum a third to a half full. Pull the drum around your yard. This firms the soil without compacting it. Then, for the final touch, gently drag a rake over the soil. The rake creates a good surface for the sod. A thorough watering to moisten the soil down to one inch, and you are ready to begin placing your sod rolls. This wet soil will prevent it from drawing moisture out of your sod.

Tip: As you finish raking and preparing, continue removing debris and large rocks that accumulate on the surface.  

What to do about clay soil 

Western Washington has many soil types, from gravelly or sandy loam to silty clay. One area with clay soil is Snohomish County. For instance, if your soil is slick, sticky, or soupy in wet weather and hard and dry in dry weather, it has a high clay content. 

The first thought is usually to add sand. But it would take a tremendous amount of sand (more than a 50/50 ratio) to change the soil, and sand and clay combined make concrete. 

The best preparation for clay soil is to rototill in some organic compost. Tilling opens up the silty soil and provides a good structure for turfgrass roots. Till it to a depth of 4” to 6”. If you add any topsoil, rototill again to mix it with your existing soil. 

Call Country Green Turf Farms!

Here at Country Green Turf Farms, we provide the highest-quality agricultural products in the Northwest. Since 1988, Country Green has been providing high-quality sod to meet any turf need. While we grow sod and provide it for various service needs, we also offer several other services to provide a comprehensive turf solution. Some of our other services include hydroseeding, fertilizer, landscape supplies and lawn establishment. For all your turfgrass needs, call Country Green Turf Farms at 360-456-1006. We are your local trusted turf service providers. We provide affordable prices and much more!