Soil Preparation For SOD

[@bamabladez]

You do it right! Great job. It blows my mind these houses built, half million dollar homes and they put nothing into the yard!. Not only do they lay sod on the subsoil layer with no organic matter, it is laid on rocks, clay, debris.. They use landscape companies that dont even buy quality sod. You must build yourself if you want quality work.

[@SunCityLawnCare]

Thank you for that comment. I like making sure proper installation last our clients for years to come.

[@paulwatson5965]

That’s because nobody will pay for it. All this is great if they’ll pay…🤷🏼‍♂️

[@josholivarez3804]

great information! im in a dilemma myself, I bought a house that the previous owners laid river rock down in the entire front yard. next owner decided to lay top soil on top of the rock instead of remove it and now my lawn is bumpy and beats up my lawn mower like crazy. so I went ahead and have someone come with a skidsteer to remove all the grass and good amount of rocks. they were even able to level it out for me to match same as my neighbor. however, weeks went by before I can plant grass and it rained a good amount, thus revealing more rock and unleveling the dirt. made it hard too. im still finding baby rocks and river rock the size of my palm dug into the soil. i haven't decided what I want to do yet, either sod or seed. im trying to save as much money as possible. i wanted to rent a tiller and get up as much dirt as possible so I don't have to get top soil and then just lay the sod and water it vigoursly (down in san antonio, tx) or should I do seed? whats the best way to go about this? cheapest option please lol

[@SunCityLawnCare]

I’d definitely recommend renting a mid-size tiller to dig up any more of that river rock. You do not want to leave anything stone larger than a quarter in size in the soil system. Leaving them will create heat spots and possibly kill the root systems and grass. After that, just relevel it with a rake and then if you want an immediate lawn go with SOD. If you have patience then seed is another great option. The catch with seed is you must keep the seed moist till you have at least 75% germination. Water 3-4 times per day for 14-30 days straight until you have good germination.

[@josholivarez3804]

@@SunCityLawnCare thank you for this information. i plan on doing it this weekend.

[@shernandez505]

Awesome video and narration! Getting ready to prep a large portion of my yard that died off. No water due to a fire rebuild if whole house and no water to backyard of over a year but I’m back and getting the yard ready to get back to its glory. Thank you for all the tips and glad to see a fellow El Pasoan! I’ve hit the subscribe button. Much success to you!

[@SunCityLawnCare]

Thanks for tuning in! Hope all is well after that rebuild.

[@CarlosGarcia-ls4hn]

I live in Southern California, near the desert, where extreme summer temperatures reach around 105 degrees. I previously had Tall Fescue, but it could not handle the drought and the heat conditions. I now want to plant new sod, but don't know which one to go to. Any suggestions? By the way, my soil is almost the same as what you have in the project, even though it previously had sod on it.

[@MandEmma7]

Right on brother! Good video! Great explanations

[@SunCityLawnCare]

Thanks for watching!

[@blake94]

A lot of wisdom - thanks for sharing

[@kkevinj1]

If Bermuda, will root in on alive grass, I just tried it with Tahoma 31. I had 9 peices of sod left over and nowhere to put them. I placed all 9 on top of monaco bermuda and it has rooted in and still has green in the sod, just crazy

[@mynameisearl7537]

Amazing job siiir 🫡, in Bakersfield California there's that same type of soil what I tend to do is run the irrigation allow it to somewhat dry and run the tiller it softens the soil and allows for even tilling and breaking up of them annoying dirt rocks

[@raymunoz423]

Great info! I just bought a home out in Horizon area and the backyard was EXACTLY as you said hard as a rock and full of debris. My wife and I want to sod the yard and did not know where to start. Your channel is exactly what we needed. You got yourself a new subscriber here. 👍

[@SunCityLawnCare]

Thanks for watching and hope it helps.

[@Moondoggy1941]

For me, if you are doing a service around your area, helpful information would be what region and what zone are you in, typical weather etc. Maybe you can put it in the description

[@SunCityLawnCare]

Thank you for the feedback. I’ve tried getting better at that in some of my newer vids. I’m in zone 8 if that helps.

[@Moondoggy1941]

@@SunCityLawnCare Yes, thanks for the response, I thought you were in Ca or Az. because of the name Sun City, then I saw the rear wall on the property and I though you were in Las Vegas and ultimately you are in the great state of Texas.

[@15Kilo]

I could tell this was El Paso from those walls. Can’t do much with them. My yard is just full of sand and of course on a windy day it gets nasty

[@SunCityLawnCare]

Right! Gotta lay some SOD or sow some seed.

[@mzindelo]

Great job, Chris

[@SunCityLawnCare]

Thanks!

[@joshchaffin3267]

excellent quality content thanks really helped

[@SunCityLawnCare]

Thank you for watching.

[@EFRAINBX]

I’ve been looking for a video on this. Just bought a home on the far east side and my yard is nothing but dirt and debris.

[@SunCityLawnCare]

Thanks for tuning in. I have other SOD installations videos. Here to answer questions if you got em.

[@EFRAINBX]

@@SunCityLawnCare is it ok to lay SOD this time of the year?

[@juliaweber2400]

Very helpful and well explained 👌🏻

[@SunCityLawnCare]

Glad it was helpful!

[@intrpolfan1]

Hi! Thank you for this video very informative video! We removed artificial turf and it’s hard as a rock. We collected sand as best as we could and notice there are small rocks. Any advice on tiling? Someone told me it could sink! Are they full of it? Sorry, I’ve never done this but want to do exactly what you just did and any advice will be so appreciated! We are in Southern CA.

[@SunCityLawnCare]

I know exactly what you’re referring to and the best option would be to keep digging till you get to actual dirt. One of our last sod installs had the remains of Crushed Rock and we brought in a skid loader to remove most of it.

[@shocker14369]

awesome video!! thanks man

[@geo1248]

Question if i may - how thick should the top soil be before soding? Thank you.

[@SunCityLawnCare]

Any thickness you’d like. Some grades need to come up more than others. I keep our soil lines 1/2inch below hard surfaces like patios.

[@liamwatt4840]

I’m in south Florida and am doing sod replacement to portions of my lawn. I had used the shovel method to take up the sod and weeds. I would like to treat the ground to control future growth of weeds. If I want to lay down the new sod in 7 - 10 days, which herbicide can I spray the ground with now for the weeds and their seedlings? Or is it best to just use a pre-emergence herbicide for the seedlings?

[@SunCityLawnCare]

If you scrapped out and grasses or weeds I wouldn’t worry about any weeds at the moment. New SOD also can NOT be sprayed with herbicides especially pre-emergent till after a full growing season.

[@liamwatt4840]

Thanks for the feedback. Keep these great videos rolling!

[@physhtailswims2169]

any tips on on how to bring back dead grass?

[@SunCityLawnCare]

Howdy there and yes plenty of tips. Depends on how severe the damages is and grass types. Did you apply something to the lawn to kill the grass or has it just not come back this season?

[@erikvcampillo7699]

Do you know the steps to make the soil healthy against plagues and richer in nutrients and how to know what the soil needs? THANKS FOR THE VIDEO 👏👏👏

[@SunCityLawnCare]

Step one would be to get a soil test done to analyze your nutrient deficiencies. Then based off that you will know which Marco and Micro nutrients to add. Depending on your current soil type you can also start by adding a 1/4-1/2 of screen compost to your lawn areas. (Top Dressing). If by “plagues” you mean fungus and disease issues, you will want to incorporate a Fungicide program for your turf.

[@burritoxxlrgxx5272]

Dude amazing video

[@SunCityLawnCare]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Luxandruz]

Well put, thank you.

[@SunCityLawnCare]

Anytime! Thanks for tuning in.

[@AnaCristina-en2xn]

What kind fertilizer is recommended to use ?

[@chowfun808]

after you til the area you want to lay the sod, are you just adding garden soil? For example miracle-gro garden soil at home depot, and then raking it in?

[@SunCityLawnCare]

After filling in area for SOD we add screened compost for our rock quarry.

[@wisdom8275]

Could you use just peatmoss under the sod in the same manner that you preped the dirt?

[@SunCityLawnCare]

Yes that is possible if your soil type needs it.

[@TheOfficialMcWaka]

Before laying sod do you grade the compost/dort away from the home?

[@SunCityLawnCare]

Ideally yes you’d want to grade away from the property and hard surfaces.

[@RoyFisher-b8l]

Good video

[@CrazyRussian47]

Ayy my man I’m living in El Paso and just wondering where I can buy some compost? Looking for about 56 cubic ft. Buying from big box store isn’t realistic for me at the moment. Love the videos gaining a lot of knowledge my guy.

[@SunCityLawnCare]

Howdy there and thank you so much for watching! We get our screened compost from Desert Rock.

[@CesarLopez-rs1vg]

How do you reduce the fluffiness post-tillage?

[@SunCityLawnCare]

Level, grade and roll. The roller we fill with less than half and helps with finding the low spots for the final grade.

[@dannymartinez8522]

You added compost 1st or was that top soil? If i add top soil will that help for many yrs to come? Or do i have keep on putting top soil ebry 2 or 3 yrs or so

[@SunCityLawnCare]

I always use screened compost. Top soil,depending on your area typically doesn’t have much nutrient value. You can level your lawn every so often as needed. We do that with sand or compost.

[@desertraven111]

Hey Chris, great video. I live in the Antelope Valley (SoCal high desert), and I’m looking at tearing up my dog run that the previous owner did with DG. Any advice in addition to this video?

[@SunCityLawnCare]

Plenty of advise…what’s your end goal?

[@desertraven111]

@@SunCityLawnCare Just looking at converting the DG dog run over to sod.

[@El_El_Guapo]

1 yard of soil will only raise a 500sqf area by 1/4 inch? Thats surprising, i would think more like 1/2 - 3/4 inch. Is that factoring in removing rocks and debris? Would it raise the area more than 1/4 inch if you aren't removing debris? Great job btw.

[@LuisGonzalez-fj9ej]

Hey my friend how of compost soil do I need in cubic yards for 1000 square feet thanks buddy...

[@SunCityLawnCare]

For every 500sqft at 1inch depth you will need 1.5 cubic yards. So for 1,000 sqft you will need 3 yards for 1inch depth. If you just adding then keep in mind you will be raising an inch. If you excavate material keep in mind how much lower your soil line will be.

[@motoman9944]

We're in San Antonio and are going to put new Zoysia sod. How many inches of topsoil do you recommend and how important is it to remove the small rocks/pebbles in our existing soil? Thanks!!

[@SunCityLawnCare]

We focus on the top 2-3inches of soil and remove larger rocks, boulders and debris 1” or larger. Typically backfill with 1/4-1/2inches or screen compost with our sandy soil here.

[@motoman9944]

@@SunCityLawnCare Thanks! That's helpful.

[@mslisasierra]

Hi! I just bought a house in Horizon. How much do you charge to lay sod in a new construction build/yard?

[@SunCityLawnCare]

Howdy there, please send us a call or text to schedule a consultation.

[@Kopersan82]

Great video! I live in the high desert of SoCal and have similar dirt. It's about 105 daily here. Can I still plant sod in this type of heat or when would be a good time to plant? Thanks

[@SunCityLawnCare]

Howdy there and thanks for tuning in! It is possible to lay some sod in that heat but I don’t recommend it. I actually stop laying sod in the summer months and pick back up when temps are back down out of triple digits. If you decide to lay it just increase your watering routine to keep that soil moist.

[@chenglo8999]

After u tilled dirt in, did u compact the mixture?

[@SunCityLawnCare]

We never compact the material after tilling. I will regrade and level. Sometime I will use a SOD roller but only fill it with water 1/4 of the way. We need loose soil to help with the root development.

[@solowjumper]

Can you roll your sod 4 days after laying it ? I didn't roll it when I installed it 😬

[@SunCityLawnCare]

You call roll everyday after installation. No limitations on that aspect if needed.

[@grassthief1280]

Hi chris was wondering just installed tahoma 31 in southern New Jersey & im wondering if it would be ok to spray some essentials 101 , by growth products to help along the rooting of the bermuda ?

[@SunCityLawnCare]

Howdy and thanks for asking. If no application was done during the install them yes. Would keep it on the low rate however. Space fertilizer applications every 4-6 weeks.

[@grassthief1280]

@@SunCityLawnCare chris thanks for that i did do a small application of a starter fert so then i wont touch thats my problem to anxious thanks again friend 👍

[@grassthief1280]

Hi chris sorry to ask you again what I really wanted to ask you is can i use RGS biostimulant then instead of essentials 101 i did spray RGS down on the dirt before i laid sod down but can i keep using root stimulator will it harm ??

[@SunCityLawnCare]

Howdy again and you can keep using the RGS but would space out applications every 30days. You have to remember the it’s the phosphorus that helps root growth with new sod.

[@lukemperez]

Would you have added more compost if you were planting seed instead of laying sod, or is the soil prep process more or less the same?

[@SunCityLawnCare]

The amount of soil needed for any installation or seeding process all depends on your square footage and the height you want your end result to be at. Do you want it flush with hard surfaces like a patio or walk way? L x W x H answers that question typically.

[@lukemperez]

@@SunCityLawnCare Thanks, that makes a lot of sense. I hadn’t really given much thought to those details yet. We have a dirt yard that previous owners over the years let go to waste on very hard soil (Phoenix). But I have the dimensions written down somewhere and once I know what I want to do, can work the numbers on what I need. Cheers.

[@eriknanez2122]

How come you don’t remove th existing sand/dirt before putting in the compost ? Doesn’t it just raise it up higher ?

[@SunCityLawnCare]

If we are above grade then yes we will remove the required amount to be 2% grade away from the property. If it’s not necessary and the area is already sub-grade then not necessary.

[@nurobert]

Would this be a good time to maybe add some bio char as well as an amendment?

[@SunCityLawnCare]

Yes absolutely

[@dr.tohelp4155]

For screened Compost & Sod any particular company you recommend?

[@SunCityLawnCare]

If you in El Paso we get ours from Desert Rock and JOBE. The sod comes from the Evergreen Farm.

[@dr.tohelp4155]

@@SunCityLawnCare Ty, unfortunately we are in Lubbock. Needed white and black pebbles-they had none and did not know when they will come

[@SirCruxr]

Any additional nutrients to lay in with the compost? Is soil around here more acidic or alkaline?

[@SunCityLawnCare]

Howdy there and depends on what your doing after composting. If your laying sod or seed there should be a fertilizer application applied. If your gardening and about to grow some vegetables you can add bio-char or Humic or even some a rock dust. El Paso soils are typically alkaline.

[@SirCruxr]

@@SunCityLawnCare Awesome thanks for your help. I would like to add weed poison when we till this Friday. Possible to pick up at lowes or Home depot?

[@SunCityLawnCare]

After you till and regrade/level if there are any protruding weeds or grasses your can use a “weed/grass killer herbicide aka non-selective to spray. If you decide to treat your going to want to wait two weeks before laying SOD. BioAdvanced Weed/grass killer

[@CarlosGarcia-ls4hn]

Are you a fan of compacting the soil after you rake in the new soil?

[@trevor-bd4kt]

No offense but why the Front tine tiller. Rear tine is far better and easier.

[@SunCityLawnCare]

I’ve used a read tine before and the are easier as the weight is all in the back. Huge machines from HD for our small yards. Plus I can transport the small and mid size by myself. If I had larger yards I would definitely use the large rear tillers.

[@ashzole]

that’s all the soil you added? waiting on the sod? you just walked past it

[@SunCityLawnCare]

1 yard per 500 sqft for 1/4 in height adjustment. I had spent some additional time grading while waiting for the sod to arrive. The potion is not include but I do show the debris from the raking prior to the sod arriving.

[@markd2768]

Way too long for the little amount of info presented.

[@SunCityLawnCare]

Thank you for the feedback. I’ve learned that lesson since I last made that video.