Preparing the soil is a crucial step in laying new sod. Would you lay a carpet without underlayment? Same applies to improving your soil for your new sod. Soil³ improves the structure of your dirt and provides the nutrients your lawn needs to start out right.
The Zeon Zoysia lawn in the header was laid with Soil³ worked into the ground. Now that's a picture perfect lawn! Photo provided by Shannon Hathaway, turfgrass expert in Raleigh, North Carolina.
![TifTuf installed with Soil3 Stephen Raiford](https://blog.soil3.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Soil3%20BLOG/TifTuf%20installed%20with%20Soil3%20Stephen%20Raiford.jpg?width=4032&name=TifTuf%20installed%20with%20Soil3%20Stephen%20Raiford.jpg)
This TifTuf Bermudagrass lawn was installed at an historic home near Charlotte by Stephen Raiford, turfgrass expert in that area. Stephen doesn't install a lawn without using Soil³.
Steps for Laying New Sod with Soil³
- If renovating an existing lawn, destroy the current vegetation.
- Prepare the site by grading so that the soil slopes away from foundations and buildings, thus avoiding drainage problems.
- Using Soil³ humus compost: Soil³ should be mixed with the top layer of existing soil. Just raking the Soil³ into the existing top soil is usually sufficient.
- Smooth the soil, remove rocks, roots, clods, and vegetation.
- Water heavily to see if water puddles in any low spots, and if it does, add soil and/or regrade to eliminate low spots.
- Keep soil surface 1/2" below walks and drives. Tilled soil will settle some.
- Our experience shows that no pre-planting fertilizer is necessary when using Soil3.
- Apply and rake in dolomitic lime based on soil test results and based on the type of sod you have. Not all turfgrass needs lime (example: Centipede sod typically doesn't need lime).
Detailed sod installation info is on Super-Sod's website under How to Lay Sod. Or, watch the video below!
How Much Soil³ to Use
- 1 cubic yard of Soil3 will cover 1,000 square feet.
- Not sure how much you need for your lawn or garden project? Calculate it!
The Tall Fescue sod in the front was laid without Soil³ added to the ground. For their second round of sod (the verdant sod in the background), this person decided to add Soil³ compost. The quality difference is obvious: lush green with Soil3 and roughly brownish green without. Photo provided by Stephen Raiford, turfgrass expert at Super-Sod of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Ready for your new sod with Soil³?
We offer Soil³ in a Mini Cube (1 cubic foot) or 1 cubic yard in a BigYellowBag.
For your convenience, we will deliver the BigYellowBag to your location or visit your local Soil³ dealer to pick up Mini Cubes.
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Did this help you out? Have any questions for clarity? Leave a comment below!