How To Install Sod 

(DIY Landscaping Guide)

DIY Sod: A Homeowner's Guide to Installing Sod in Surrey & Langley

Tired of battling a patchy, weed-filled lawn? Installing new sod is a fantastic way to instantly transform your yard into a lush, green oasis. While it may seem like a big project, with the right planning and a bit of elbow grease, you can successfully lay your own sod and enjoy a beautiful lawn for years to come. This guide will walk you through every step of the process, from preparation to aftercare, with a helpful sod calculator to help you budget and plan. While this guide does apply generally, it is specifically geared towards landscaping in Surrey, Langley, and the the surrounding area.

Step 1: The All-Important Measurement and Calculation

Before you can lift a finger (or a shovel), you need to know exactly what you're working with.

How to Measure:

Use a tape measure to determine the length and width of the area you want to sod. Multiply the length by the width to get the total square footage (Area=Length×Width). For irregularly shaped areas, break the space down into smaller squares and rectangles, calculate the area of each, and then add them together. Be sure to deduct any areas that will not be sodded, such as patios, decks, or garden beds. Check the image above to see how to calculate the area of common shapes.

Use Our DIY Sod Installation Calculator:

After you have your square footage you can easily ballpark your project costs. This calculator will help you estimate the key costs involved. Just enter your total square footage below and let it do the math!

Step 2: Remove the Old Lawn & Prepare the Base

This is the most physically demanding part of the project.

Excavation: Rent a mini excavator. If you are working in the backyard measure your narrowest access point to ensure the machine you rent can make it into the backyard. If a mini excavator is not possible, at least try and rent a sod cutter. A Sod cutter is great for removing the layer of grass. After that it is possible to run the sod cutter over the area again to help loosen up the packed earth below. While the price of a machine rental is not a necessary cost to incur, it will make your work significantly less strenuous. Rental machines can usually be delivered to/from your home for a fee. Other tools you will need include for this part: wheelbarrows and shovels.

Operating a mini excavator takes a bit of training and practice. Please ensure you have the skills to do so safely. If you need help with this step, Atkinson Landscaping can come in to handle this portion of the project if you would like.

Disposal: During the excavation process, you'll have a significant amount of old sod and earth to dispose of. This is where your dump fee calculation comes in. You can haul it to a local transfer station in Surrey or Langley, or rent a disposal bin. We use Port Kells Nursery for disposal bins. They are the cheapest and easiest option around. Find them here, give them a call and organize the day you need the disposal bin.

Grading: With the old lawn removed, ensure the area is graded to slope away from your house and any structures to prevent water from pooling.

Step 3: Add New Soil & Level the Area

Now for the good stuff: a fresh foundation for your new lawn. Ensure you use turf soil from a reputable landscape supply depot. At the very least, if you are hunting for bargain soil, ensure you look for reviews on the seller. There are may suppliers out there that provide subpar soil that can lead to unhealthy lawns long term. 

Soil Delivery: Order your turf blend soil and have it delivered to your driveway. This is a much better option than hauling bags from the garden center. A good turf blend will be a mix of sand and organic matter, which is ideal for sod in Surrey and Langley. If you have access to a trailer you could save on delivery costs and truck your own soil in one load at a time. Commercial trailers commonly can carry about 3 yards of turf soil, so be prepared to take a few trips if you are bringing in soil yourself. Generally, ordering deliveries of large amounts of turf soil ends up saving a good chunk of change compared to buying on a per yard basis. This savings may even offset the cost of the delivery, so it is worth looking into both options even if you have a truck and trailer of your own.

Spreading & Leveling: Using a wheelbarrow and a rake, spread the new soil evenly over the area right up to the final grade (the soil will be compacted in the next step. Use a landscape rake or a board to level and smooth the surface. The goal is a uniform, level surface with no dips or bumps. After raking, use a lawn roller (partially filled with water) to lightly compact the soil. This will create a firm but not overly compacted base, preventing future sinking and unevenness. You can rent or buy a lawn roller for the occasion. After rolling the soil, the level of your soil should be ready for rolling sod on now. Add soil to any low areas.

Step 4: Lay the Sod

Your sod should be ordered and delivered the same day you plan to lay it. It is a perishable product and needs to be installed within 24 hours of delivery. Consider the shape of your lawn area. If it requires a lot of cutting to fit irregular spaces, there may be some waste. To ensure full coverage, it's a good idea to order a bit of extra sod beyond the measured square footage to make up for this waste. It is better to have a little extra sod left over rather than not enough and then need to pay for another delivery for a few more rolls.

Laying the Rolls: Before you start laying your sod, ensure that you dampen the soil a little first. No need to soak the soil, just mist it a little so it is not totally dry. Laying sod on damp soil help prevent root damage.

Start laying the sod along a straight edge, like a driveway or a fence. Unroll the first piece and press it firmly against the soil. Lay the next piece tightly against the first, ensuring there are no gaps. Work in a "brick" pattern, staggering the seams in each row. This will create a more uniform and stable lawn. Avoid walking on the newly laid sod as much as possible, as it can create depressions. You can use boards to stand on while you work.

Cutting and Trimming: Use a sharp utility knife or a sod knife to cut pieces to fit around curves, obstacles, and the edges of your lawn.

Rolling: Once the sod is laid, use the lawn roller (again, partially filled) to roll the entire area. This step is crucial for ensuring good contact between the sod's roots and the new soil, eliminating air pockets and promoting faster rooting.

Step 5: Immediate and Long-Term Aftercare

The first few weeks are critical for your new lawn's success.

Immediate Watering (The First Two Weeks): Water your new sod immediately after installation. You need to water so much that the soil beneath the sod is moist to a depth of 4-6 inches. This will likely require multiple watering cycles throughout the first day. For the first two weeks, water your lawn daily, ensuring the sod never dries out. You should be able to lift a corner of the sod and see that the soil underneath is damp. Be careful not to overwater to the point of creating a muddy mess.

Watering After Week Two: After the initial two weeks, you can reduce watering to 2-3 times per week, but water deeply. Infrequent, deep watering encourages the roots to grow deeper, making your lawn more drought-resistant.

Mowing: You can mow your new lawn for the first time about 2 weeks after installation, or once it has reached a height of about 3 inches. Make sure your mower blades are sharp. Do not remove more than 1/3 of the blade's height at a time. You may need to do the first cut on a high setting and then cut it again on a lower setting a couple days later.

Fertilizing: Apply a "starter" fertilizer (often high in phosphorus) to the soil before you lay the sod. This provides the roots with a boost. After that, wait for a few months before applying a general lawn fertilizer.

Guiding Principles and Best Practices:

• Timely Installation: Install sod as soon as it is delivered.
• Proper Soil Prep: Don't skimp on this step. A good soil base is the key to a healthy lawn.
• Water, Water, Water: The most common reason for sod failure is improper watering. Be diligent, especially in the first few weeks.
• Avoid Foot Traffic: For the first 2-3 weeks, limit traffic on your new lawn to allow the roots to establish.
• Stay Sharp: Keep your mower blades sharp to avoid tearing the grass.
• Consider buying some plywood of wooded planks if you are moving a lot of wheelbarrows over existing grass

By following these steps, you can confidently install your own sod and enjoy a beautiful, green lawn in Surrey or Langley. Happy sodding!