How to Prepare Soil for Sod Grass

Sod provides an instant lawn with no need to wait for grass seeds to sprout. It comes in either squares or rolls that are laid on top of bare soil. The grass roots in the sod penetrate into the existing soil bed, allowing the sod to become established. Poor soil prevents the proper rooting and the sod eventually dies out. Preparing the soil before laying out the sod ensures it survives and becomes a lawn you can be proud of.

Shovel

Soil pH test

Limestone

Fertilizer

Tiller

Compost

Remove existing grass and weeds from the area to be sodded. Strip the old grass with a turf stripper, which you can rent from a hardware store, or by sliding a shovel under the old turf and lifting it away.

Perform a soil pH test to determine the fertilizer needs for the soil, as all soil requires different levels of fertilization. Purchase a soil test at a garden center or have a more in-depth test performed by your county extension office.

Add limestone at the rate recommended by the soil test. Generally, 50 lbs. of limestone per 1,000 square feet is sufficient.

Apply fertilizer at the rate recommended by the soil test. If you did not perform a test, apply 1 lb. of nitrogen per 100 square feet, using a 10-20-10 or 18-24-6 analysis fertilizer.

Till the limestone and fertilizer into the top 6 inches of soil with a hand tiller or power tiller. Remove any large stones or roots uncovered during the tilling process.

Spread 2 inches of compost over the soil. Compost improves the quality of both clay and sandy soils. Till the compost into the top 4 inches of soil then smooth the surface before laying the sod.

Extremely sandy or clay soils can benefit from additional compost. Don't add sand to loosen clay soils.

When smoothing the soil bed, grade it down from the house and sidewalks so water doesn't flood these areas during rain or irrigation.