Turf can be installed from spring to fall (and even in winter in temperate climates). In areas of the country that favour cool-season grasses, such as the Northeast, avoid the problem of sprouting a good crop of weeds by seeding a lawn in spring. And in southern states, which favour warm-season grasses such as Bermuda grass, zoysia grass, and centipede grass, sod is the best way to cover the garden any time of year since these types of grass do not They can be grown from seeds.
Place it in adequately prepared soil, and it will thrive. Grass is a well-aerated soil that is slightly acidic (with a pH between 6 and 7.5) and rich in nutrients. The only way to know what type of soil you have is to test it with a soil test. For about $15, your local extension service will send a soil sample to a lab for analysis. The results will appear within a week or two and indicate precisely which amendments you should add and in what quantity.
Where to buy grass
Then, it’s time to buy your lawn. Depending on where you live, you can order it from a garden center or directly from a sod farm. This will usually be a mix of two or three turf grasses, chosen for optimal colour, texture and warmth (be sure to let your supplier know if your garden is in partial or complete shade). Ideally, sod should be delivered within 24 hours of cutting and laid on the same day. Measure your yard carefully so you can order the correct amount, with some excess (about 5 percent) to account for cutting around curves.
Is a rototiller necessary before laying grass?
Yes, unless it is a small area. And you will need other tools. Allow one weekend to prepare the soil for the lawn and another to lay the sod. If your yard is covered in patchy grass, you must remove it first.
This is best done with a grass trimmer, which cuts the grass below the roots. While you’re at it, you’ll want to rent a rototiller. You will also need a grass-cutting knife with a 2-inch blade, a spreader, an iron rake, compost, and other soil amendments, including fertilizer and lime, depending on what your soil test dictates. Two people should be able to cover 1,000 square feet in one day; get more hands if you plan to put more than that.
When is it worth laying grass sod?
If you lay the grass sod correctly, your garden will be bright green in the blink of an eye. With your effort, it will go from having bare soil in the morning to thick grass in the afternoon, which you will also be able to step on immediately, and after a few weeks, it will be utterly resistant to wear and tear.
However, this immediate availability comes at a price, as grass rolls are about ten times more expensive than conventionally seeded grass. Therefore, laying sod is worth it if you want your garden to be beautiful and green immediately if you wish to repair specific areas or fill certain corners quickly.