general sod installation questions

danstew01 – posted 14 March 2007 13:10

I am considering installing zoysia sod (appx 10 pallets) this spring at my home in Roswell, GA (just north of Atl). I have found a good price on the sod but haven’t been so lucky with getting a good estimate on actual installation. Therefore, I have decided to install the lawn myself. I have done some research by asking questions and searching websites and message boards such as this one and have found some great information. However some sites vary as to what they recommend in the various steps of installation. My questions are:

1) Is it necessary to kill the existing grass with RoundUp, etc before tilling? I have heard that it is best to do so, but I have also read in a few places that tilling up the current lawn w/o spraying RoundUp will work just as well.

2) Is it necessary to spread topsoil/sand? The soil in my yard is predominantly clay.

2a) If I should spread topsoil/sand, which is better? The guy who gave me the last estimate for installation said he was going to spread 2 yards of sand, but I’ve heard that using sand in a clay yard is a bad idea.

2b) If I should use topsoil/sand, should it be spread before or after tilling?

3) Can I tackle laying this much sod myself, or possibly with the help of noone buy my wife?

Thanks in advance for any advice.

jodyB – posted 30 March 2007 17:30

Ok,here are my answers.1,use round-up.perhaps twice,with a ten day interval.Will rid weeds,and killing existing grass will aid in allowing new sod to contact soil.2,is their a little clay,or is it CLAY? Perhaps your County Agricultural Agent could advise,if given a sample.Tilling will bring up new weed seeds,so make sure tilling is a needed job.I seldom till before laying sod,but am not used to heavy clay.3,You and your better 1/2 should be able to perform task in a day fairly easily.My men who lay sod daily will lay about 15 pallets each daily,and not get tired.The secret is to have the pallets spotted,or left,very near where they will be used.Most delivery drivers are good at this.Remember to stagger the seams,and outline the perimeter with full pieces,then start at the top{or furthest} and work back.Consider putting down any needed soil amendments before planting.After laying,try to press pieces down by walking over,or rolling with heavy weight.WATER,WATER.

tommy – posted 31 March 2007 18:23

Thats a heck of a lot of work for one person!You might want to get a quote on hydro sprigging, instead of sod. (if your planting bermuda). Hydro sprigging is a mulch solution that has bermuda sprigs mixed in…..the mix is sprayed out of a high pressure gun. Its a great way to plant large areas. You should definitely spray round up before you start! You won’t get rid of every single weed by spraying round up, but it will get rid of a lot.

Got Grass – posted 13 April 2007 15:49

Does the Round up not kill the the St Augustine when laid on top?

darrel – posted 22 May 2007 05:56

Get a brick of clay from the art store and mash in a bunch of sand. What do you get? A solid clump of clay with sand in it. ;o)

I think you’d be better off putting as much organic matter in there as you can…be it just top soil or a mix of mulch and peat and the like.

Alex_in_FL – posted 19 April 2008 13:47

My thoughts:- Hire a day laborer to help you and wife, thats a lot of work.- Spray area with full dose of roundup. DITY @ $20 and worth every penny.- Till lawn, add compost, manure, topsoil, or hay, and till again then add more topsoil (sand is better than nothing but compost, topsoil, etc is better).- Spread a pre-emergent- Dampen soil- Install sod (long/short/long/short cross hatch pattern)- Toss sand in cracks and hose it to level- Water heavily for a few days and slowly ease off.

Best of luck to you!