Everything You Need to Know Before Laying Sod in the Winter
I’ve been planning to lay sod in my backyard for quite some time, but our schedule has been packed and we haven’t had the time to get it done yet. So, when my neighbor approached me about doing it together, I didn’t hesitate to say yes! Lynnwood Sod, one of our area’s best landscaping companies and also a sponsor of the local high school football team, generously donated supplies like bags of topsoil and grass seed, as well as staff members who helped lay the sod in just one day!
What you need to know
Laying sod is a lot like planting a garden. But there are some key differences, so read up on our guide before you get started! Lynnwood Sod has been in the business for over 75 years, and we're here to help with your questions.
- You can only lay sod from October 15th through April 1st, so make sure you don't wait too long.
- Sod needs time to establish itself before it's ready for foot traffic. For this reason, it is best not to walk on newly laid sod until the first growing season has passed.
- Lynnwood Sod offers installation services as well as sales of quality lawn care products such as fertilizer, weed control, and insecticides. We have all of these items available at our store or can deliver them directly to your home or project site if needed.
How to lay sod
It's not too early to start planning for your spring and summer lawn! By laying sod now, you'll be able to enjoy your new lawn sooner rather than later. The first step is choosing where you want it—make sure that any trees, shrubs, or sprinklers are at least three feet away from where you plan on laying. Once you've done that, it's time to prepare your soil by adding organic matter such as peat moss and manure. Then cover it with a layer of topsoil and rough up the surface with a rake so that when the sod arrives, there won't be much settling once it's laid. Next, measure out your area before putting stakes every two feet apart. Using a shovel, dig down about six inches deep to remove any weeds or grass clumps, then fill in the holes with soil mixed with compost before pushing up dirt around each stake to keep them upright until sod arrives.
When do you lay sod?
We recommend that sod be installed in the spring and not during the winter months. We understand there are exceptions, such as if you are trying to salvage a lawn that has died out because of drought conditions or if you want something new before everyone else has it. If this is your scenario, consider hiring a professional lawn sod installer in Lynnwood because they will have all of their equipment with them, which means they will finish quicker than someone with only hand tools.
The ideal time of year is early spring because lawns are easier to care for during that time of year and if it doesn't take, you can get a full growing season before winter sets in. The best time of day is when it's warm outside but not sunny. Sunny days heat the ground and make it difficult for water to penetrate deep into the soil. When laying sod, wait until after dark so that you can see what you're doing better. Lay down newspapers or cardboard under where you plan to install turf so that grass won't grow on dirt. Make sure you have enough water on hand (3-5 gallons) because laying sod takes longer than watering plants by hand.
Tips for successful sod laying
If you're thinking about laying lawn sod, make sure you know what goes into it. So before you head out to your local lawn sod installer in Lynnwood and order a bunch of turfs, here's what you need to know.
- Preparing the soil will take some time and attention, so start with that first.
- The depth of soil should be 4-6 inches deep for best results.
- Make sure the ground is level and clear away any debris.
- Lastly, keep the lawns watered if possible.
- Now all that's left is to find an experienced lawn sod installer in Lynnwood like Lawn Doctor who can help you get started! With their knowledge and guidance, not only will you save yourself a lot of frustration, but they'll also make sure the job gets done right.
- If this seems like too much work or something you're not ready to tackle on your own, then don't worry — we'll walk through each step with you!