FAQs About Natural Grass Sod

No, the NSGA does not sell natural grass sod. We are pleased to provide you with all the information you need to find a sod producer.

Click here to find your local natural grass sod producer.

There is no set price for sod. The price of natural grass sod is dependent upon a number of factors that are determined by each individually-owned and operated farm.

Pricing will vary depending on supply and demand, transportation, and other factors. We recommend checking with your local producer for pricing information.

Click here to find your local natural grass sod producer.

Loosen the existing soil with a rototiller.

Prepare the soil by rototilling to a depth of 3 to 4 inches rototilling first one way, and then the other way.

Rake top 1 inch to a smooth, even surface, and roll lightly to show up any depressions.

Use 2 to 4 bales of 6 cu. ft. size per 1076 sq. ft. (if desired).

Top Soil should be available to a depth of 3 to 4 inches. If this amount of topsoil is not available, it must be added.

• Locate a straight line, such as a curb or driveway, or run a taut string up the middle of the area to be sodded. Work along this line to establish the first row.
• Using a rake, smooth the area immediately ahead of sodding.
• Lay sod in brick-work fashion to ensure that seams are not forming straight lines down the length of your property.
• Make sure all joints are butted tightly together without overlapping.
• Staking is advisable on extreme slopes.
• To fit non-rectangular edges, and small areas, cut the sod with a sharp knife or edger.

The amount of fertilizer for any particular lawn depends on the fertility of the natural soil, the degree of growth you want, and the type of grass that you are growing.

Bluegrass requires from 2 to 3 kilograms of actual nitrogen, 1 to 1.5 kilograms of actual phosphorous, and the same of potassium per 1076 sq. ft. per year.

You should apply about half the annual amount in the spring, and the remaining half in the early summer and fall.

Fertilizer applications are determined by the amount of nitrogen they contain, because nitrogen is the most difficult of the three materials to handle.

We recommend any special turf-type fertilizer made by a reputable manufacturer, using a controlled release nitrogen. This will provide you with a well-balanced feeding for your lawn and ensure the fertilizer will release slowly.

Be sure to follow the instructions on the bag. Always water the fertilizer in to prevent burning.

Saturate the area with water immediately. Watering with 3/4 of an inch in the first hour will do more than 2 inches three hours later.

In the summertime, lawns generally require about 1 inch of water every week.

Bluegrass will go dormant during dry seasons, which means that the grass may turn brown. It will turn green again when it is watered.

Tip: Water regularly. Apply 1 inch every week (including rain) at one setting of the sprinkler. Water evenly and slowly enough so that the water is able to penetrate the sod without run-off.

Too much water can be just as harmful as too little. Soil that is continually soaked does not allow air to reach the root zone where it’s required. Avoid frequent light waterings which will result in shallow rooting.

We highly recommend going over the area with a one-third filled roller to press the roots to the soil after installation of your new sod.

For answers to all your turfgrass sod questions, contact the NSGA or connect with one of our local members.