Our first recommendation when dealing with any new site is to have a soil test performed after finish grading to determine the nature of the soil and its nutrient levels.

The following recommendations are based on reasonably balanced soils.  If any serious surpluses or deficiencies are noted on the soil reports, you will need to modify the protocols to address those.

How to establish healthy sod

The first component of any of our maintenance programs is the use of Urban Soil Life™ and Urban Bio-Booster™.   Urban Soil Life™ helps to replenish biological life in your soil by adding beneficial microbes and organic matter to enhance the biodiversity of the soil.  It promotes healthier, deeper root systems, more efficient nutrient uptake and healthier overall growth along with increased air/water exchange.  Urban Bio-Booster™ is a premium microbial food source that greatly increases microbial activity in the soil and promotes a more balanced soil food web that forever changes the structure of the soil.  Other components increase water & nutrient holding capacity to improve moisture retention, along with nutrient storage and uptake by the plant.

Sod Application Specifics:

Cultivate both products into the top 6”- 8” layer of the soil profile at the following rates:

Urban Soil Life™ - apply at a rate of 50 lbs. per 1,000 square feet.

Urban Bio-Booster™ - apply at a rate of 50 lbs. per 1,000 square feet.

Rake and final grade entire area.  Roll entire area to create a more firm soil with a uniform, level surface.  Lightly hand rake to remove any excess debris/clumps paying special attention to low lying areas, dips, or uneven ground.

The next step will be to apply Urban Germinate™, Urban Roots, or Bio-Balance pH.  These products stimulate root growth and increase the speed of root attachment.  They also increase drought resistance, balance the pH, improve soil biology and aid in the suppression of fungus and disease at installation.  Broadcast evenly over entire area at the recommended rates below:

Urban Germinate™, Urban Roots™, or Bio-Balance pH™  - apply at a rate of 5 lbs. per 1000 square feet.

Lay your sod.

Lay sod in a pattern much like a brick wall.  No overlapping of edges, take your time.   

Roll sod to help seal it, remove air pockets and to level the sod.

Water sod thoroughly to point of saturation, making sure entire soil profile is wet.

It is crucial to keep sod moist so that hair roots can start developing and attach to the subsoil.  Water-in sod thoroughly on a daily basis for the first few weeks.   The use of Urban Germinate™ or Urban Roots™ will amplify the rate of root attachment, at which time, you can reduce watering. However, it is important to keep roots moist until full attachment has occurred.  Keep in mind that watering in this manner will promote pythium, brown patch, etc.  Knowing this, it is imperative to embrace a proactive disease management program immediately.

We recommend applying the following products for disease control as soon as your sod has been laid and every 7-10 days until sod has attached and watering needs have been reduced.  After this time, stay proactive with disease treatment every 21-28 days as needed. Diseases are more prevalent when nighttime temperatures reach 60+ degrees.

Nutrol – 1 oz. per gallon

Prudent 44 – ½ oz. per gallon

Mix both products and blend well before using.

Apply at a rate of 2 gallons of blended product per 1000 square feet.  Apply with a pump sprayer to the point of runoff.

 Please note:  Most sod is planted too thick at the sod farm.  This practice can lead to disease and die back.  After your new sod is established and attached, we recommend vigorously raking sod with a steel leaf rake to remove any excess grass. This will help thin out the density of the turf which allows for better air flow and will help the sod breathe. 

All of these above steps are meant to help facilitate better sod survival and tiller health by increasing microbial populations that will aid in improving soil porosity.  Most sod that is purchased is grown on different soil than where it will be laid.  It is important to acclimate the sod to its new soil and growing environment.  The initial soil applications outlined above will prevent layering issues that can occur which adversely affect the sod’s ability to root and can diminish the long term health of the sod.

Start the annual turf calendar of maintenance program 30 days after your sod has been installed and stay on schedule throughout the year.  However, DO NOT apply any pre-emergent for 60 days after sod has been installed.  Pre-emergent will damage the tender new roots that are trying to establish.

DO NOT let sod grass grow higher than 6” before cutting.

VERY IMPORTANT! – CORE-AERATE SOD WITHIN 4-6 MONTHS AFTER IT HAS BEEN INSTALLED.