Turf Installation

• Sod is turf that is grown off-site, then cut and replanted at a new location
• Site conditions to consider when selecting a grass species: Shade tolerance, heat tolerance, drought tolerance, soil tolerance, pH tolerance, foot traffic tolerance
• Maintenance needs to consider for species selection: water requirements, fertilizer requirements, mowing requirements, disease/insect resistance
• Appearance consideration when selecting a species: color, texture
• Good soil preparations reduces water consumption, promotes faster and healthier root development, and reduces future problems
• A professional soil test can provide valuable information about the pH, nutrient deficiencies, and compaction rate of the soil
• Soil testing can help contractors in making decisions about tilling, amendments, and fertilizers
• To prepare soil, you must: remove any weeds or existing grasses, add amendments and fertilizers, rip and/or till the soil, remove surface debris, rake the soil till its smooth
• You can apply seed through broadcast seeding, seed drilling, and hydroseeding
• Grasses that grow by rhizomes (bluegrass) requires 2lbs seed/1000 sq ft
• Grasses that grow in clumps (tall fescue) require 6lbs seed/1000 sq ft
• After the seed has been applied, it must be kept moist during the germination period (1-3 weeks) and weeds must be suppressed
• After one month, reseed areas where grass did not grow
• Begin mowing the grass when it reaches a height that is 33% higher than the optimal growing height and cut 1/3 of the grass height
• Make sure the grass and soil are dry before mowing
• Mow the grass diagonally to the seams
• Water promptly after the first mowing
• Remove excessive clippings