Installation

STEP 1 – Measuring and Selecting Sod
Determine the area you wish to establish in sod by measuring the length and multiplying that by the width.  This will give you the square footage you need to place an order. 

Next, choose a variety of grass based on the amount of maintenance you intend to put into the lawn and site specifications such as shade and traffic your new yard will experience.   Please refer to the turf chart included in this booklet for each cultivars characteristics.  Please call your local outlet for pricing or if you have any questions.

STEP 2 – Soil Preparation
Take a soil sample 6" deep throughout the area you intend to sod and have it tested by a qualified consultant or drop it off at one of the farms nine locations.  The sample should contain about 1 quart of soil.  This soil report will tell you what your fertility requirements are and how to amend any deficient nutrients.  Please allow 2 weeks for soil test results to return.  Any fertilizer, lime or organic matter to be applied should be worked into the soil and can be lightly packed with a roller.  Sandy, unfertile soil may need top soil added.

Roto-till the area to a depth of about 6 in. and remove any debris, rocks or dead grass.  Remember to slope the site away from your foundation and keep the grade at least 1 inch below sidewalks and driveways. 

The area will now need to be watered  in order to settle the area and provide a moist base for the sod. Watering the prepared soil before sod installation may be one of the most important steps to ensure a successful lawn.  Providing a moist base for the sod dramatically reduces the amount of water required after the sod has been installed and is crucial in sod survivablility.
*ALWAYS WATER THE SITE BEFORE LAYING THE SOD.
 
STEP 3 – Installation
Sod is delivered on pallets and placed around the site.  Installation should begin immediately and watered within 30 minutes.  Sod is a living plant that requires ground contact and moisture, especially for the first 2 - 4 weeks, to survive. 

Start laying the turf along the longest straight line and progress  in a staggered, brick-like pattern.  The sod should be laid tightly together but not over-lapped.  When installation is completed, the entire lawn should be watered and packed with a roller to ensure ground contact and flatten any air pockets. 

The new sod should be watered to a depth of about one inch within 30 minutes of installation.  The new sod should be watered regularly for the next two to four weeks but not saturated to the point of puddling.  Deep, infrequent watering encourages deep rooting thus better resistance to drought and other stressesthe plant may experience.  Traffic and use of your lawn should be restricted for a minimum of one month.

STEP 4 – Maintenance
Some grass varieties require more work than others but in order to thrive in a particular environment all types require maintenance.  Although there is no specific formula that covers, in detail, every type of grass care, there are several general rules that can be applied to all lawns:

Watering:  Drought tolerance varies within each turf-type but most healthy lawns require about one inch per week.  It is best to water in the morning with deep, infrequent applications to penetrate deep into the ground.  This will encourage better drought resistance and healthier turf.

Mowing:  Do not remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade during one cutting and use a sharp blade.  Ideal grass height varies for each turf-type, refer to the grass chart in this brocheure for recommended height.  Examine blades after mowing for a clean, scissor-like cut.  A dull mower blade not only lessens the appearance of a yard it is also unhealthy to the turf.  Although a reel mower is healthy for you and your lawn, they are only required on fine-bladed zoysia grasses.

Pests: Although weeds are common in turf, they are more prevalent in weak stands of turf.  Therefore, weeds may be a sign of low fertility or some other pests.  The two categories of weeds are broadleaf weeds and grassy weeds.  Broadleaf weeds can be eliminated by keeping your turf healthy and mowing on a regular basis.  Grassy weeds (i.e. common bermuda, nutsedges, crabgrass, etc.) may require physical removal by hand or the use of a prescribed herbicide.

Soil Testing:  Fertilizer applications are dependent on the time of year and a soil sample.  Complete fertilizer schedules for each grass variety are available from the farm outlets.  Slow-release fertilizers, such as Lebanon Turf Products, last longer and decrease the risk of seriously injuring your lawn.  Lebanon produces the most effective, longest lasting fertilizers on the market for all turf applications.

Most major problems such as disease, weed encroachment and drought damage can be avoided by routinely checking your lawn for preliminary signs of trouble and educating yourself on your specific type of grass.