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Turfgrass Installation Guide
Why Is Good Soil Important?
For optimum growth, turfgrass needs just four things (in the proper balance)…sunlight, air, water and nutrients. Reduce any of these, or provide too much of any one and the turfgrass will suffer or die. In the right proportions, turfgrass will flourish, providing beauty to the landscape, a clean and safe place to play, plus many other benefits.
Grass obtains three of the four essential factors (air, water, and nutrients) from the soil, but many soils are less than ideal for growing grass. Some soils contain too much clay and may be compacted. While compacted soils may be great for roads they are bad for grass. If air and water are not available to the roots it will inhibit the growth of the grass. Other soils may have too much sand. While sand may be beautiful on a beach, too much sand in the soil will prevent water and nutrients from staying in the root zone long enough for the plant to use them. Another frequently observed problem with many soils is the pH. The pH scale measures how acidic or basic a substance is. If the degree of acidity or alkalinity in the soil is too high or too low it can affect the availability of nutrients to the plant and prevent optimum growth.
What Is The Best soil for Turfgrass?
Loams, sandy loams, and loamy sands, with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0 are the very best soils for producing a beautiful, high-use, low maintenance lawn. Unfortunately, this ideal soil mixture is seldom found on any property after construction.
How Deep Should The Soil Be?
The Absolute minimum depth of quality top soil for a care-free lawn is 4 inches (10cm); however, for deeper root penetration and the benefits that they bring, the accepted standard is 6 inches (15cm).
Can Soils Be Improved?
Not only can most soils be improved, they usually need to be improved to get maximum results with only minimum effort.
The knowledge of what is necessary, the amount, and availability of materials, immediate costs and time are all factors that typically deter people from taking steps to improve soil.
Proper soil improvement and site preparation before any planting takes place will make it easier for the grass roots to penetrate deeply and evenly. Deep roots will make the lawn more drought resistant, use water and nutrients more efficiently and result in a denser and healthier lawn as new grass plant shoots emerge. A dense lawn crowds out weeds and offers greater resistance to insects and disease.
Clear the Site
Clear the site of all building materials (wood, cement, bricks, etc.) as well as any buried stumps, rocks, stones or other debris that are any larger than 2 inches (4-5 cm) in diameter.
Rough Grade
Rough grade the entire area to eliminate any drainage problems on the property. This would include sloping the grade away from building foundations, eliminating or reducing sever slopes and filling low-lying areas. At tractor mounted blade and/or box are most often used for rough grading, but if the area is small, it can be done with hand tools. The rough grading, will probably uncover more debris that should be removed.
Initial Tilling
Til to a depth of at least 2 inches (5 cm) should be completed prior to adding any topsoil or soil amendments. This will control most annual weeks, alleviate subsoil compaction, permit a bonding of the topsoil to the subsoil, and improve root penetration as well as air exchange and water movement.
Add Topsoil
Add topsoil to achieve a total topsoil depth of 4-6 inches (10-15cm). after firming. The topsoil should be a loamy sand, sandy loam, clay loam, silt loam, sandy clay loam, or other soil suitable for the area.
Test Soil for pH and Nutrients
Test soil for pH and nutrients to determine if any pH correcting materials or nutrients are required.
Acidic soils A pH of less than 6 can be improved with the addition of lime. The type (or source) and amount applied will be determined by the level of acidity and should be based on the recommendations of a professional.
Alkaline soils A pH of 8 and higher can be improved with sulphur. As with acidic soil correcting materials, the type and amount of materials needed will be determined by the level of alkalinity and should be based on a professional’s recommendation.
Apply Fertilizer
Apply fertilizer to correct any deficiencies following the product’s recommended rate. To avoid root injury to new turfgrass, the fertilizer should be raked into the top 3-4 inches (7-10cm).
Finish Grading
Finish gradingthe entire site, maintaining the rough grading contours and slopes, with a tractor-mounted box blade for large areas or a heavy-duty rake for smaller sites.
Roll the Area
Roll the areawith a lawn roller one-third full of water to firm and settle the surface. Low spots should be filled to match the surrounding grade surface. If time permits, allow area to settle further with rainfall or by applying irrigation.
The site is now ready for turfgrass sod. With this degree of careful and thoughtful soil and site preparation, the resultant lawn will be absolutely beautiful. It will require less maintenance…smaller quantities of water, fertilizer and pesticides…as it maintains a high degree of density and recovers rapidly form wear.
Soil and Site Preparation
Refer to Soil and Site Preparation on the reverse side.
Measuring and Ordering
With a tape, measure the area of your planned lawn. Include these measurements on a sketch of the lawn area, with the length, width, and any unusual features. Your local TPI member will be happy to assist you in determining the amount of turfgrass sod you will need based on your sketch. AREA CALCULATOR
Schedule your turfgrass delivery after you have completed your soil and site prep and are ready to install the turfgrass. Prompt installation on the day of delivery is crucial. BUY SOD NOW
Turfgrass Installation
Prior to installing your turfgrass sod moisten the soil and install your lawn immediately upon delivery.
In hot weather, protect unlaid turf by placing stacks or rolls in the shade. If possible, cover with a moist cloth, or lightly water the unprotected turf.
Begin installing turf along the longest straight line, such as a driveway, sidewalk or patio. Butt and push edges and ends against each other tightly, without stretching. Avoid gaps or overlaps. Stagger joints in each row in a brick-like fashion, using a large sharp knife to trim corners, edges, etc.
Avoid leaving small strips at outer edges as they will not retain moisture. On slopes, place the turf pieces so they run across the slope rather than up and down the slope.
To prevent indentations or air pockets avoid repeated walking or kneeling on the turf while it is being installed or just after watering.
After installing the turfgrass, roll the entire area to improve turfgrass/soil contact and remove air pockets.
Watering
Give your new lawn at least 1-inch (2-3 cm) of water within a half hour of installation. Water daily or more often, keeping turf moist until it is firmly rooted (about 2 weeks). Then less frequent and deeper watering should begin.
Weather conditions will dictate the amount and frequency of watering. Be certain that your new lawn has enough moisture to survive hot, dry, or windy periods. Water areas near buildings more often where reflected heat dries turfgrass.
CAUTION: During the first few weeks, avoid heavy or concentrated use of your new lawn. This gives the roots an opportunity to grow into the soil and ensures the turf will remain smooth.