Sod Prep

[TNJDM]

After exploring all the sites on preparing to lay sod, as most are probably aware, calls for tilling, etc. Reading many boards, some are vehemently against the tilling for various reasons (clumps, brings weed seed to the surface, etc.)

I plan on hiring someone to do the prep and really not concerned about cost.

Would it be sufficient to have them scrape of 4" or so and bring in 3" of good soil (leaving an inch for the sod) or would tilling after removing that 4", then bringing in the soil be better and maybe not cause the issues I have seen.

Thanks for any thoughts

[andy10917]

I'm no fan of tilling, but my concern about "scraping first" is unrelated. If you remove the top 4" and then till, you will most likely mix the last inch of topsoil (the inch between 4" and 5") with the subsoil below. Effectively, that inch will become primarily subsoil. In the end, you will have a shallower topsoil when you are finished.

With your plan (either one), you are most likely going to go through a period of numerous months where the topsoil's microbial life needs to be reestablished - be careful about any expectations for organic fertilizers during that period.

[Michael Wise]

I swear I've asked something similar to this before, but couldn't find it for the life of me. Maybe a dream.

What about round-up and scalping for sod prep? Even a power raking for more soil to sod contact?

Assuming no leveling is need.

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[GaryCinChicago]

In the automotive circle there is a term called R&R. Take your car for a repair and you will be charged R&R - remove and replace. That any different than re-sodding lawn? Rent a sod cutter, cut (remove) and replace. Then in TN? Water and water and water - then water it some more! When curious, grab a hold of the sod like a mean man, Grab it like it was someones hair! - If it pulls up like a bad toupee? - it's not rooted yet. Water it some more. Water more often and longer this time. If it pulls up with resistance - meaning the roots are holding it down, then you're making progress! Keep on watering THAT way.

[TNJDM]

Thanks for the input gents.

Andy - Would I not be bringing microbial life back in with the good soil, compost, etc?

Gary - That seems to simplistic......but I like it. So screw tilling sod cut or scrap and replace? that's all? (and of course water the hell out of it)

[andy10917]

Would I not be bringing microbial life back in with the good soil, compost, etc?

Well, yeah. And No. Mostly "it's more complex than that".

Sure, you bring in microbial life. But certain varieties of microbes only live in the top inch of soil. Or the third inch. They are specialists. Tilling or importing soil changes their location and the likelihood that they actually survive. Oh, yeah, a year later everything is close to normal again - but the season is "lost" from an organics viewpoint.

[GaryCinChicago]

Gary - That seems to simplistic......but I like it. So screw tilling sod cut or scrap and replace? that's all? (and of course water the hell out of it)

Basically, yes. Rolling the freshly laid sod with a heavy water filled roller is helpful, ensuring that that roots are firmly contacted with the soil, buy it is rarely done by pros that I have seen to reduce costs.

Now if you have any dips and humps in your present lawn, you could make a bigger project by trying to level everything out, but remove and replace is exactly what a landscaper would do for you. In by 9, out of 5. Just like the dry cleaner, LOL!

Remove and replace the sod won't even bring a bunch of weed seeds up. Reason being, you cover them up and smother them with the new sod!

Tilling is only going to make your lawn look and feel like the moon, with all the new dips and craters as the soil settles.

* Avoid stretching the sod when laying.
* Avoid gaps between the sod
* Stagger your joints - just like brick. (First row, starts with a full length roll. Second row starts with a cut in half length roll. Third is full, forth is half, and so on.)

Though this guy seems to be working a little too hard to me, this gives you an idea.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnD_46TK9YY

[Josh]

Laying sod is nice because all you have to do is water it and you're done. Nothing like germinating seed, and no weeds to deal with if laid tight. But the prep work sucks. Ive taken short cuts before, only scalping then laying sod on top, things like that. It dont work very well. The new sods roots cannot penetrate whats left of the old grass. Weeks later you could still pull up on the sod and the grass under was still rotting.

Im getting ready to lay a bunch of sod again in two weeks. Im dreading the prep work. The best way to do it is to till, level, then lay sod. When you water it in you can roll it or walk over it like I do. Stepping on each piece works fine to level, my lawn is not perfect, but far from lumpy, and I tilled the crap out of it. You can feel the mud underneath and you then know there is excellent root to soil contact. If you have a completely bare spot you can just lay the sod, same with using a sod cutter I suppose. My results are never as good that way as compared to when I till.

I wish there was a better way. I hate tilling and I hate hurting the soil after all the organics Ive thrown at it. I just dont see any other way.

[TNJDM]

Funny, I watched a neighbor across the street this weekend have a tractor come in and garden till the hell out of his front lawn. I noticed he was moving very slow and It looks like that tool pulverized the hell out of the soil. looked really smooth when he was done.

This looked like a really good way to go........

[GaryCinChicago]

TNJDM:
How workable is your soil? Could you take a pointed spade, step on it, and dig down into your soil?
Or would you have to swing a pick axe to do that?

[srm077]

Nuke current grass. Scalp it with your mower, drink beer. Rent a core aerator and go to town for a few hours while drinking more beer. Roll prepped yard, spread some starter (light application) drink another beer. Lay new sod while drinking beer. Water and watch TV while drinking beer. Roll sod again, drink another beer. Then water, water, water. Works a whole lot better then tilling and accomplishes the same result. If you take your time your yard will be smooth as a billiard table and you will have 4-6 inches or nice soft soil to lay your new sod on.

[TNJDM]

Gary,

It's relatively hard now due to the lack of raing. A lot of areas of "white" looking hadr stuff where nothing seemed to survive. I did the "jar" test back in the fall to see the composition of the soil and after it settles, looked like about 20% sand, 80% clay.

The guys I noted working on the lawn across the street came over to look at my area. We talked about nuking the lawn, cleaning off a couple of inches, roughing it up lightly (I think he said with the tractor), and bringing in a couple of inches of "good" sifted topsoil. He will even lay the sod, so I am a little stoked. He is been around a long time and has dome multiple jobs, so I feel comfortable with what he sais.

SRM - I went that route as I love my beer. Only problem was by the time the sun started setting, my wife find me on my back in the middle of the dirt.

[srm077]

Tullahoma will be getting really hot soon so you better get it down ASAP to save a bit of water. I know the area well. My wife went to high school there and her brother still lives in Manchester so we are there from time to time.

Good luck with your project.

[TNJDM]

Thanks srm,

Small world. Don't beleive it has come out of dormancy yet. I thought I have read that it either has to be laid when dormant or out of dormancy. Either way, really looking forward to moving out on it.