Installing sod tomorrow!!! In june!!! Nightmare!?

[EarlyPorsche]

Guys, front yard is tilled and just bare dirt. Run-off is naturally an issue and as such need turf down ASAP.

Just ordered 1200 sq/ft of tall fescue, to be delivered tomorrow morning.

Its hot hot hot in Maryland right now. But the show must go on.

What can you tell me to ensure this investment stays alive.

The sod will be cut late this afternoon or tomorrow morning and then delivered.

The cost with delivery was under $500 so its not a huge deal if some die but it more the principle. I was told no starter fertilizer at these temperatures and also no light watering. Only deep watering twice a day for 2 weeks.

Further - there is some crush and run gravel scattered in the base soil. I can try and grab a bunch of it but not all. Problem?

[bivenator]

Did mine in Houston in late April. Water, water and more water. Your schedule of twice daily for two weeks was the recommendation given to me. We had more than enough water from the sky and the yard looks lush now. I put a 1/2 inch of topsoil on top of the native soil before the sod was installed. Good luck, I don't think you can over water during the first few weeks.

[Oh Haha]

Get it down as early in the am as possible. Have as many helpers as you can muster. Butt the sod pieces tight against one another and stagger the joints like a brick wall. A sharp utility knife can be used to trim.
I don't think the bits of gravel will harm anything.

Not an expert but did lay down a bunch of sod with guys that were back in my 20s.

[VincentVega]

I've done it year round. Keep the edges in soil and water, water, water.....

Good luck. It's not the ideal time but it can work.

[GWN7]

Water well for the first two weeks then back off for a bit. 3 to 4 times a day. Keep it moist, but not over wet (squishy). The theory is it needs the extra water at first because being fresh cut 1/2 the root systems are gone. If you keep watering it after the two week period the roots don't grow looking for water and don't develop new/strong roots.

First time you cut the new lawn do it on the highest setting on your mower. This keeps the grass looking even but doesn't get too deep. Neibour cut her new lawn after a week but went to the regular length and the next day you could see brown spots in her lawn.

[derek murray]

Rolling it with a water filled roller will also help as it creates a better contact between the root mass and soil.

[EarlyPorsche]

Ok thanks to all.

I have a roller so will use that.

Sod comes at 9 and I have 1 helper. We have 2 pallets to put down. I think we can get it done by noon. I will keep the pallets moist and then soak the whole place.

Just spoke with the sod farmer himself and he said only water heavily once a day. Only in the morning. So by night it dries out so fungus doesn't take over. He said lawn fungus likes dark and moisture.

[VincentVega]

See if you can have the pallets put in the shade, they can dry out pretty quickly in direct sun. 2 pallets isnt that much, not that its easy, you should be fine. Just make sure you do your final grading before it shows up.

[wdfifteen]

Wet the soil, lay the sod. Roll it down, then deep water it twice a day. Getting good contact between the sod and the underlying soil is key.

[A930Rocket]

Just dropped off 10 pallets of sod for a homeowner.

I don't envy him putting it down.

Its 100* here.

You can't water it enough.

[sammyg2]

Last time I put down that much sod in summer I had to hurry, go go go. That resulted in me getting another knee operation.
i swore the next time I'd simply make a phone call.

[A930Rocket]

Almost forgot. Use a machete to trim the excess sod. That what all my landscapers use.

[A930Rocket]

My homeowner installed 8 of 10 pallets last night. Had about 5-6 neighbors help him.

He installed it right on top of the old sod.

Not sure how that's going to work out.