Quick answer
Lay cool-season sod (Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, perennial ryegrass) in early fall or spring, and warm-season sod (Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede) from late spring through early summer while it is actively growing. Prepare loose, level soil, lay the pieces tight with staggered seams, roll it, and water deeply right away. Then water lightly once or twice a day for about two weeks until the roots grab the soil.
Best timing by grass type
| Grass type | Common grasses | Best time | Avoid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cool-season (North, transition zone) | Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, fine fescue | Late August to early October; spring is second best | Mid-summer heat and frozen ground |
| Warm-season (South, Southwest) | Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine, centipede | Late spring to early summer, once it greens up | Fall and winter, when it is dormant |
Sod can technically be laid any time the ground is not frozen, but it roots fastest when the grass is actively growing and the weather is mild. Cool-season sod laid in summer needs much more water and is more likely to struggle. Warm-season sod laid late in fall may not root before dormancy.
How much sod to order
Measure the lawn area in square feet and add about 5 to 10 percent for cuts and curves. A pallet commonly holds about 400 to 500 sq ft, but pallet sizes vary by farm, so confirm with the supplier. Small rectangular pieces are often 16 x 24 inches (about 2.7 sq ft). The sod calculator works out square feet, pieces and pallets.
Schedule delivery for the day you will install. Sod on a pallet heats up and can be damaged within a day or two in warm weather.
Prepare the soil
- Remove the old lawn and weeds. Strip old turf with a sod cutter or kill it first. Sod will not smother tough perennial weeds.
- Test the soil if you can. A basic test shows pH and whether phosphorus or lime is needed. Many county extension offices offer tests for a small fee.
- Loosen the top 4 to 6 inches with a tiller or garden fork. Mix in 1 to 2 inches of compost if the soil is sandy or heavy clay.
- Add topsoil if needed to fill low spots. The topsoil calculator estimates how much.
- Grade. Rake smooth, sloping away from the house. Leave the finished soil about 1 inch below sidewalks and driveways so the sod ends up flush.
- Firm the soil with a lawn roller about one-third full of water. You want footprints no deeper than about 1/2 inch.
- Apply starter fertilizer if your soil test calls for it, and lightly moisten the soil the day before.
Lay the sod
- Start along a straight edge such as a driveway or sidewalk.
- Unroll each piece and push its edge snugly against the last one without stretching or overlapping.
- Stagger the seams in a brick pattern so end joints do not line up.
- On slopes, lay pieces across the slope and pin them with sod staples.
- Cut curves and edges with a sharp utility knife or a flat spade.
- Avoid small pieces along edges; they dry out. Put full pieces at the edge and fill with smaller cuts inside.
- Kneel on a board as you work so you do not dent the soil or the new sod.
- Roll the finished lawn to press the roots into the soil and remove air pockets.
Watering schedule
Water the first section as soon as it is laid, especially in hot weather. Then follow roughly this pattern, adjusting for heat, wind and rain:
| Period | How often | Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Install day | Once, deeply | About 1 inch of water; soil wet a few inches below the sod |
| Days 2 to 14 | Once or twice daily, short cycles | Keep the sod and the soil just under it moist, not soggy |
| Weeks 3 to 4 | Every 2 to 3 days | Longer sessions to push roots deeper |
| After week 4 | Normal lawn watering | About 1 inch per week including rain |
Check by lifting a corner. If the soil underneath is dry, water more. If it is muddy, cut back. When you gently tug and the sod resists, the roots have taken hold, usually after about 2 to 3 weeks.
Mowing, traffic and fertilizer
- Foot traffic: keep off as much as possible for about 2 to 3 weeks, and keep pets off longer if you can.
- First mow: once the sod is rooted and the grass is about one-third taller than its normal mowing height. Use a sharp blade and remove no more than one-third of the blade.
- Fertilizer: wait about 4 to 6 weeks before the first regular feeding. The fertilizer calculator converts a nitrogen target into pounds of product.
Common problems
- Brown, shrinking seams: edges dried out. Water seams more and topdress gaps with soil.
- Yellow patches: sod sat on the pallet too long or got too little water.
- Lumpy lawn: soil was not firmed or leveled before laying.