Have you ever gazed through a window and seen a yard full of brown, patchy grass? It can be so frustrating! One way to fix this is to lay SOD over your existing lawn. SOD is made up of grass plants that are already established to give your yard an instant makeover. Follow these steps to lay SOD over your lawn for a lavish yard.

Unsurprisingly, people are always looking for a shortcut to building new grass. It makes perfect sense to cut your grass short and put up new SOD directly over it. Many believe the existing lawn will expire and supply nutrients for the new SOD, but this is not true.

Read: When To Cut New Sod? Tips and Tricks

Why You Should Not Install New SOD Over Existing Grass

Beware if you’re thinking of giving your lawn a fresh start by laying down some new SOD! You may think that dumping a new layer of grass on top of your old lawn will save you time and effort, but in reality, you’re setting yourself up for failure.

The roots of your new SOD will have difficulty penetrating the existing turf to reach the soil bed below.

In addition, once the new SOD you laid on over your old lawn has perished, you will need to remove both layers of SOD before you can plant any new grass because there will be no room for it to take root.

Also, old weeds may resurface after being covered by the new SOD. In addition, your new SOD won’t look as good if installed over existing grass. The existing grass will stick up through the new SOD, making it look patchy and uneven.

It’s far better to do the job right first by starting from scratch. So before laying down that new SOD, ensure you’ve removed all traces of the old lawn. You will only give your grass a fighting chance to take root and thrive.

Read: Tips to Take Care of Your New SOD after Installation

How To Remove The Existing Grass

We’ll review how to remove existing grass to make way for new SOD properly.

• Get rid of the grass that’s already there. If the old turf is not too thick, you should be able to accomplish this job with just raking and a rototiller. You should utilize a SOD blade to pick up the older grass in sections if the older grass is denser or if you are replacing a huge portion of the lawn.
• After you’ve finished cutting the old grass in a certain area, dig up just over one inch of the soil there.
• Be sure to get rid of any rocks, roots, or other debris that could impede the growth of your new SOD.

By taking these steps, you’ll lay the foundation for a healthy and vibrant lawn. New SOD has a better chance of taking root and thriving when it’s properly prepared for.

Preparing The Soil For A New SOD

Now you’re looking to spruce up your yard with new SOD, and the first step is to prepare the soil.

• You’ll want to start by tilling the leftover dirt to loosen up and break up any large lumps.
• Level the soil for a flat appearance with no rough places.
• Apply a thin layer of topsoil to the soil to add some additional nutrients.
• Finally, lightly water the soil to moisten it before you lay down the SOD.

Now you can ensure that your new SOD will have a strong base and be able to bloom in your yard.

Read: 6 Basic Tips to fix Grass in Heavy Traffic Areas

How To Lay SOD

Here are a few steps which you need to do to prepare the ground.

• Ensure a debris free soil and loosen it for the roots to take hold.
• Roll out the SOD in strips, carefully flushing it against the existing grass with no gaps between the strips.
• Once the entire section is covered, trim any remaining SOD with a sharp knife or tool.

Read: Hardscape Installation: How to make steps and paths?

6 Tips For SOD Aftercare

After installing your new SOD, you can do a few things to help it take root and flourish.

1. Minimum Foot Traffic

First, try to keep foot traffic to a minimum. SOD is very delicate when newly installed, so it is vital to adjust it properly.

2. Water Regularly

Depending on the weather and the type of SOD you have, you may need to water every day or every other day. You must ensure that your SOD is not drying out by checking it very frequently at different times.

3. Fertilize Regularly

Another important step in taking care of your SOD is regularly fertilizing it. You should start fertilizing your SOD when it is installed and then continue to fertilize it every few weeks throughout the growing season.

4. Mow Regularly

Mowing your SOD when it grows about 3 inches regularly is also important for its health. You can use a sharp mower to avoid grass damage.

5. Overseed Yearly

Overseeding your lawn each year will help to keep it thick and lush. It helps to fill in any bare spots that may have developed over the year, and it also helps to improve the overall health of the grass.

6. Remove Debris Regularly

Debris, such as leaves, twigs, and stones, can damage your SOD if not removed regularly. Be sure to rake up any debris accumulated on your lawn and remove any stones or other objects that could damage the grass blades.

Read: Types Of Paving Slabs With Pros & Cons | DIY Installation

Final Words

If you’re considering whether to lay new SOD over your existing grass, don’t. The results will be disastrous, and you’ll have to remove all the SOD and start from scratch anyway.

Save yourself the hassle and do it right the first time by removing your old grass before installing new SOD.

If you require any assistance to remove your old grass or install new SOD, call Deo Landscaping in Vancouver, Richmond and Surrey, BC. We would be happy to assist you and ensure that your lawn is healthy and green all year round.

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