Starting to settle into the idea of chillier weather? Before the temperatures start to fall, take this time to do some maintenance around your property. Planting sod in the fall can bring new beauty to your lawn just in time for the changing seasons. If you're installing sod during the cooler seasons, make sure you choose cool season grasses.
You may not even realize how much stuff has accumulated in your yard area over time. Any materials and objects need to be removed. Items such as wood, bricks, and cement need to be moved. Do a thorough check for stumps, rocks, boulders, stones, and other natural debris that you might not notice upon first check, and remove those items too.
You'll want to grade the space properly to prevent any drainage problems. Slope the grade away from the foundations of buildings will help eliminate drainage problems on the property. Take care to reduce or remove severe slopes and low-lying areas which have potential to hold water in the future. Those spots should be filled upfront so the soil has a chance to settle. Toward the end of the process, you might need to add more filler. If your property is small, you can grade with hand tools. For a larger space, you'll want to use a tractor-mounted blade or box for the work. Keep an eye out for newly uncovered debris that will need to be moved.
The root zone is just what it sounds like; it is the area where you will lay down the sod and where the root system will develop. Take the time to prepare it properly. In particular, determine the pH level of the soil by performing a soil test. Then, make modifications, as needed. Acidic soils have a pH level of 6 or below. Alkaline soils have a pH of 7.5 or greater. Once you've determined the pH of your soil, ask a sod professional which fertilizer or other products to use.
Don't make the mistake of feeding your fresh sod tons of fertilizer, as this can damage it. Go light on the nitrogen, using a formula of no more than one pound per 1,000 square feet of lawn. Starter fertilizer that is high in phosphate can be beneficial for new sod.
It's time to check for low spots. These need to be filled to match the surrounding grade. Allow the site to settle, and, if possible, employ irrigation water to assist with the settling process. This will ensure your property is ready for a happy green lawn.
Article Updated in August 2019.
For more backyard ideas, check out our article How to Create a Beautiful Backyard Landscape on a Budget
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