grow and maintaining grass can sometimes finger like an impossible undertaking . Have you recently repose down sod but do n’t know how much topsoil should surveil ? Do you need to put down surface soil before or after planting sod ? Well , we ’ve done some enquiry and have all these answers below ! Let ’s get into it .
Ideally , you desire to apply 4 - 6 in of loosen , nutrient - robust surface soil for your sod . apply topsoil before / after sod can ensure it develops healthy roots and transition into a boom green lawn .
With that say , if your soil is rich in nutrients , you might only demand to till the soil before laying your grass down , rather than apply additional soil .
Again , this can look greatly on your positioning and growing consideration , so everyone will be different .
As we begin , we will hatch all thing sod and teach you how to uprise a lucullan , healthy lawn . Whether this is your first time trying this method of grass grow or you ’re replant before the leap season , we ’re here to offer some guidance . With that tell , lease ’s dive right into this post !
Do You Have To Apply Topsoil Before Sod?
Although apply topsoil before / after sod can be good , you are n’t technically take to do this . broadly , you want to lie down down up to six inches of topsoil before planting sod to see to it its roots have a position to grow .
However , if your soil is full of nutrient and is in dear wellness , you might be able to get by with tilling the primer or else of purchase and broadcast fresh turd .
This can all calculate on where you experience , what you ’re growing , and the mood , so do n’t take on your priming coat is ready to handle brisk sod with no cookery .
Even though sod is more instal than grass seedling , that does n’t mean it is n’t still tender . Grass tends to be temperamental , so you want to ensure everything is perfect before institute .
accord toRed Hen Turf Farm , position down topsoil can also increase a grime ’s water and nutrient holding capacitance , meaning you wo n’t have to fertilize your sod as often .
moreover , this increase water holding capacity means you’re able to go longer between water your sward .
What Does Topsoil Do?
One of the primary function for adding surface soil to your survive ground is to refill its nutrients . Think of this brisk layer as a mode to enhance your garden ’s timber without needing to replace all the grime .
Topsoil typically containsdecomposedplant matter ( organic matter ) , which will give your sodomist and other plants plenitude of nutrients to establish a flourishing ancestor system .
you could also use topsoil to replenish erosion orbit in a give plot of land . presuppose your new lawn is at the base of a hill or slope .
Laying down topsoil before your sod can help fill the footing and even it out before your grass . Doing this will also aid with your land ’s health , which can be negatively impress by frequent mud / landslide .
As we covered in the first place , adding surface soil before sod can increase its piss capacity , which is gross for those wanting to cut back on irrigation / water price .
grow grass can be an expensive , body of water - dependant task , so anytime you may save , that ’s a win .
Can I Lay Sod Directly On Dirt?
Yes . you’re able to sometimes lay superoxide dismutase forthwith on filth without adding additional surface soil .
However , you do n’t need to do this unless the ground in your yard is soft / mildly compact , as your grasses ' newfangled root wo n’t be able to modernise in heavily compacted land .
till is another alternative to adding refreshed surface soil , but it will require you to do some manual labor .
Experts urge essay your soil beforehand , so you are n’t implant sodomist over the severely packed ground . The key here is getting the ground soft enough so that antecedent can make their room through and develop .
Additionally , heavily compacted dirt does n’t tend to be packed with nutrients or have good drainage , which is another essential condition your sod will require .
So , if you ’re on the fence about surface soil , we surely think it ’s worth considering for your sod .
What Happens If You Don’t Till Before Laying Sod?
If you pass over tilling before sod , a few thing can pass . As we mentioned , till is not unremarkably the first dance step before repose sward , as surface soil is an easier , less labour - intensive option .
Also , if the dirt in your garden is diffuse and in good health , there is n’t much reason to till it .
According toPepper ’s menage And Garden , till can make old green goddess to sprout from the background , affecting your saucily laid sodomite .
In addition , tilling ( if not done correctly ) can cause your lawn to grow unevenly .
Not only is that aesthetically unsympathetic , but it ’s also can lead to denudate spot on your lawn . On top of those potential adverse effects , you also want to take the price of renting equipment for tilling .
regard that you ’ll need to lease / buy a rototiller , this can determine you back between $ 36-$150 , depending on the size of it of equipment you split .
On the other hired man , buy a rototiller will cost you anywhere from $ 65-$200 , so this is n’t a cheap choice to the topsoil as many think .
What Do You Put On Freshly Laid Sod?
Liquid fertilizer is best to put on top of freshly laid sod . Considering how easily liquids will seep into the sward and roots below , fertilizer is the perfect next step in the grass - growing process .
Typically , you ’ll want to consult a lawn care professional about which fertilizer is best for your superoxide dismutase , as this will vary depending on your climate , locoweed type , and undercoat wellness .
As we said earlier , you could also spread a lean bed of surface soil above your sod if you want to help increase the ground ’s food further , but this is n’t take .
A good fertilizerformulafor fresh sodomite is 10 - 10 - 10 or 2 - 1 - 1 , but this can vary bet on where you ’re live and the ground ’s wellness .
Should You Fertilize New Sod Right Away?
No , it is n’t in the main the best idea to apply plant food immediately after set down sodomist . You want your grass to get back into the soil before tot any extra nutrient or formula .
According toEverglades Farm Equipment , you desire to give your sod about 30 days before applying a fluid expression flat to your grass .
Applying a concentrated plant food to your sodomist four weeks after you lay it down is good , as this will give your lawn a boost of energy to continue growing and ripen into the summer / fall season .
After that first fertilization , you require to wait until your lawn ’s turn season to apply more plant food .
Even though plant food gives your sod a rise of energy and nutrients , overdo it can be detrimental to your lawn ’s overall wellness .
Sometimes , highly hard recipe can cut your grass , have deadened patches if you go overboard .
Is Sod Easy To Grow?
In general , it should be fairly easy to originate sod . One of the many reasons people opt sodomist over grow sens from ejaculate is that it establishes quickly .
Typically , your turf will germinate roots within2 - 3weeks post planting , which is much fast than waiting for each blade to sprout if you attempt the seminal fluid method .
Of course , not all bugger will follow the same growing speed or rule .
Depending on where you last and the conditions around your grass , the establishing procedure can take slightly foresighted than 2 - 3 week but wo n’t surpass four week in most case .
As long as you give your newly laid sod enough water and sunlight , you should notice your lawn fills out pretty fast .
Additionally , if you put down topsoil before your sod , that will only speed up this process . no matter of what you ’re develop , you ’re tie to see good results if the grunge has more nutrients and pee capacity .
Is Sod Easier To Grow Than Seeds?
commonly , yes , grow sodomist is well-situated than grow germ for your lawn . With that said , this is n’t always truthful , depending on how well you prepare the soil for impertinent sod .
As we covered , skipping surface soil and tilling can mean your greensward has to stress and establish itself in heavily compacted or hapless - quality ground , which can sometimes have in mind numb speckle of skunk .
Not only will this mean you ’ve neutralise clip , but also money .
Purchasing sod is significantly more expensive than cum , so you want to plant it according to the recommend guidelines .
When it comes to labour intensity , sod is the easy pick for a lawn .
If you decide to grow your gage from seedling , you will need to unfold them , apply surface soil , rake your property , and water the area frequently , which can become tiring over the course of a month or two .
On the other hand , laying down sod is pretty ego - explanatory . All you need to do is prep the ground with surface soil or tilling , place your sod squares onto the earth , give everything some H2O , and watch the grass fill out .
Again , that does n’t always mean sod is easy to manage , but in general , you should n’t run into too many issues .
To Wrap Things Up
Whether you need to replant your Mary Jane or have n’t tried growing any yet , live how to treat the grunge beforehand is essential . From what we found , the idealistic amount of topsoil for sodomite is between four and six inch .
Generally , you want to quiz your soil before set down sod and give topsoil if it ’s press or in poor health . Sod , although comfortable to spring up than seed , can be temperamental , so essay to follow the instructions with the bugger type you purchase .
Regardless , give your sess plenty of nutrient , and do n’t bury to add surface soil beforehand to save on water later !
Made it to the end ? hold back out these helpful related lawn aid posts below !
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