Laying Sod in Northwest Arkansas: What to Expect

A bare or patchy yard can become a green lawn in a single day when the sod goes down. That quick change is what makes sod popular. It is also why people get surprised by what comes next. The day the sod is laid is only the start. Here is what to expect, from the ground up.

Prep decides how it turns out

The best sod laid on bad ground still struggles. Before any rolls come off the truck, the old lawn, weeds and debris need to go. The soil is then loosened and graded so water runs away from the house and doesn't pool in low spots.

Prep is also where you want to ask questions. How will the grade be set? What happens to the old turf? Is the soil hard and compacted? A crew that can walk you through those steps knows what it is doing. Edgardo Alaniz said that on a whole backyard remodel the crew explained everything in detail and answered a million questions about the process, which is the right instinct for any big project.

Laying the sod

Sod is laid in rows, like bricks, with the ends staggered so the seams don't line up. The pieces are pushed tight against each other, with no gaps and no overlaps. Gaps dry out and turn into brown lines. Overlaps leave humps that are hard to mow.

Edges and curves are trimmed to fit, and small pieces are tucked into the corners. A crew that works quickly still needs to keep the seams tight. Jeromy Houchin said the crew was extremely fast laying the sod and that it looked great, and that Sergio was easy to work with and communicated well.

After the sod is down, it is usually rolled so the roots make full contact with the soil. Air pockets under the sod keep roots from taking hold. Then comes the most important step: water, right away, and enough to soak into the soil beneath the sod, not just wet the surface.

The first weeks

This is where most sod problems start, and it is mostly in the homeowner's hands. New sod has almost no roots in the ground yet. Until it roots, it depends on you for water.

• Keep the sod and the soil under it moist, not soggy, for the first couple of weeks.
• Water more often in hot or windy weather, since sod dries out fast in Arkansas summer heat.
• Stay off it as much as you can. Keep pets and kids away while it roots.
• Lift a corner now and then. If the soil underneath is dry, it needs more water.

Water needs change over time. After the first couple of weeks, you can usually water less often and more deeply, which encourages the roots to reach down. Your crew can tell you what schedule fits your sod and your season.

When to mow for the first time

A good test is a gentle tug. If the sod pulls up easily, the roots haven't taken hold. If it resists, it is anchored. For most lawns that happens somewhere in the second or third week, depending on the weather and the grass type.

For the first mow, set the mower on a higher setting, make sure the blade is sharp, and don't take off more than a third of the grass height. Mow when the sod is dry enough that the wheels won't leave ruts. Don't make tight turns on new sod, since that can pull it loose.

Weekly care after that

Once the sod has rooted, it needs the same steady care as any lawn. That means regular mowing, edging along the walks and beds, and trimming around obstacles. A weekly schedule keeps each cut small and the grass thick. A fresh sod lawn that is mowed regularly fills in fast, and the seams disappear.

If the first season gets away from you, don't panic. A few brown spots can usually be re-watered or patched. What you want to avoid is long dry spells in the first weeks.

Planning your sod project

Pureleaf Lawncare is a family owned company that does sod installation along with mowing and landscaping in Northwest Arkansas. To talk through a project, call or text (479) 601-2057. The process is three steps: send a text, chat on the phone, and receive a quote. The crew serves Lowell, Springdale, Rogers, Bentonville and the nearby towns.