Gardening Caring for Your Yard Lawn Care How to Plant Sod in 5 Simple Steps Take advantage of the best time to lay sod and a healthy lawn will follow. Use these tips to properly prepare your lawn to lay sod efficiently. By Viveka Neveln Viveka Neveln Viveka Neveln is the Garden Editor at BHG and a degreed horticulturist with broad gardening expertise earned over 3+ decades of practice and study. She has more than 20 years of experience writing and editing for both print and digital media. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on January 29, 2024 Reviewed by Joseph Tychonievich Reviewed by Joseph Tychonievich Joseph Tychonievich is a gardening expert with two decades of work in horticulture, the author of three gardening books, and known for his deep knowledge of the science behind techniques for successful gardening. Learn about BHG's Gardening Review Board Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Carson Downing Sod is a hefty investment, so it's critical to know how to plant sod, including preparing the planting area and tending the turf with care. You can lay sod anytime during the growing season, although spring and early autumn are best—cool temperatures combined with occasional rain help sod quickly root. Follow these steps to how to plant sod the right way the first time. How to Choose the Best Type of Grass for Your Lawn BHG / Michela Buttignol How to Plant Sod Every step in the process of laying sod is essential to keep your lawn healthy and happy. Preparing for the sod before laying it down and caring for it after it's in place will help yield the longest-lasting results. How to Choose a Lawn Shape Step 1: Prepare the Soil Remove twigs, stones, and other debris from the area to prepare the soil. Do a quick soil test to evaluate the area and its nutrient components. It's good to know what you're working with before you lay down the sod—you may want to amend the soil while you're at it. If your soil test indicates a low pH level, you'll need to add lime, dolomite limestone, or wood ashes to your soil. Add horticultural sulfur, composted oak leaves, or pine needles if your soil contains a high pH level. PHOTO: Carson Downing PHOTO: Carson Downing PHOTO: Carson Downing Step 2: Fill with Top Soil Break up soil clods that are larger than 2 inches in diameter. Fill low areas with good-quality topsoil. Work in organic matter if the soil is sandy or full of clay. Take advantage of this opportunity to improve the soil; adding amendments is easy when the soil is bare. Carson Downing Step 3: Smooth the Soil Smooth the soil with a stiff garden rake. Be sure to distribute any bumps or piles of soil to create a flat area. Finish preparing the area by compacting it slightly with a lawn roller. The 18 Best Gardening Tools of 2024 for Weeding, Planting, and More PHOTO: Carson Downing PHOTO: Carson Downing PHOTO: Carson Downing Step 4: Lay Sod Lay sod on a cool, overcast day to minimize plant stress. For how to plant sod in the heat of summer, moisten the surface of the planting area before putting down the turf. Stagger strips in a brick-like pattern, and be sure that all pieces fit tightly together. A utility knife or sharp spade is handy for cutting sod to fit irregular areas. Once the sod is in place, run the sod roller over it to eliminate air pockets. Carson Downing Step 5: Water Sod Daily Water it immediately, then water daily (depending on rainfall), moistening the soil to a depth of 4 inches until the sod takes root (in 2 to 3 weeks). Avoid mowing sod until it has firmly rooted. To find out if sod has rooted, gently tug at it. If you feel resistance, roots are anchored in the underlying soil. Lawn Care Tips and Tools What You Need to Know About Winterizing a Lawn 8 Steps to Fix a Lawn That's All Weeds and Bare Patches How to Sharpen Your Lawn Mower Blade for a Clean Cut What Every Homeowner Needs to Know About Dethatching Lawns The 7 Best Riding Mowers of 2024 to Mow the Lawn with Comfort and Ease, According to Testing Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit