New sod placed in checkerboard pattern

hoginal – posted 16 July 2006 13:57

I’ve place SA plugs in a checkboard fashion in my yard. Before asking or reading up much on the proper way to fill in the gaps for good root spread, I filled in with top soil. More and more, I feel this was the wrong choice. Can I go back now and place compost or sand on top of this? Would this help?

The grass is slowly spreading but my concern is that the roots will not establish well.

Thanks!

Grassguy – posted 17 July 2006 00:11

I assume when you say top soil you are referring to red clay? If so give the turf time to establish and top dress with compost. You mentioned you feel as if the roots will not spread. Is this due to the turf being placed in hard clay? if so you are probobly correct and applying compost(on top) instead of the top soil will not help the root zone.

hoginal – posted 18 July 2006 16:02

quote:Originally posted by Grassguy:I assume when you say top soil you are referring to red clay? If so give the turf time to establish and top dress with compost. You mentioned you feel as if the roots will not spread. Is this due to the turf being placed in hard clay? if so you are probobly correct and applying compost(on top) instead of the top soil will not help the root zone.

It’s clean black topsoil, no clay. The turf was placed on the existing top soil that was tilled to a depth of 2″-3″.

Do I put the compost over the plugs and bare spots or just the bare spots?

Grassguy – posted 18 July 2006 20:56

Dont cover the plugs but you can put it around them and over the bare spots. then just keep it watered good. If you can scratch the black soil into the clay a little as you go thats even better.