- Materials you\u2019ll need<\/a><\/li>
- 10 steps to grow your own sod<\/a><\/li>
- How to care for your fresh sod<\/a><\/li>
- Why grow your own sod?<\/a><\/li>
- When can I grow sod?\u00a0<\/a><\/li>
- Cost of growing sod yourself vs. buying it<\/a><\/li>
- FAQ about growing your own sod<\/a><\/li>
- Patching it up with sod<\/a><\/li><\/ul> \t\t\t<\/div> \t\t<\/div><\/div>
Materials you\u2019ll need<\/span><\/h2>
- Grass seed<\/strong><\/li>
- A greenhouse or sunny, moist area<\/strong> (like a sunroom or patio)<\/li>
- Planting trays<\/strong> (aka garden trays) <\/li>
- Scissors<\/strong> to cut the ends off the planting trays<\/li>
- Duct tape<\/strong> to secure trays together<\/li>
- Potting soil<\/strong> to grow grass<\/li>
- A spray bottle<\/strong> to water grass seeds<\/li>
- Liquid plant food <\/strong>to fertilize grass seeds (optional)<\/li>
- A rototiller<\/strong> to till existing soil<\/li>
- Compost<\/strong> to add nutrients to existing soil<\/li>
- A rake<\/strong> to level the soil<\/li>
- A wheelbarrow<\/strong> to transport sod<\/li>
- A sod knife<\/strong> to trim sod<\/li>
- A lawn roller<\/strong> to smooth out the turf (optional)<\/li><\/ul>
10 steps to grow your own sod<\/span><\/h2>
1. Choose your grass seed<\/span><\/h3>
If you’re growing a large area from scratch, pick a grass type that will thrive in your region and climate. If you’re patching up a fresh sod lawn, remember to grow the same grass seed as your existing sod. Otherwise, your lawn will have irregular patches of different grass types.<\/p>
Not sure what type of sod you need? Check with the landscaping company that installed your sod or call your local cooperative extension<\/a> office for guidance on the best grasses for your region. <\/p>
In general, if you live in the northern half of the U.S., you\u2019ll want a cool-season grass, and if you live in the southern half of the U.S., you\u2019ll want a warm-season grass. <\/p>
![\"Greenhouse](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/backyard-greenhouse.jpg\")
Greenhouse | alljengi<\/a> | Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a> <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> 2. Set up greenhouse shelves and trays<\/span><\/h3>
Set up your greenhouse to maximize shelving space. Choose shelves that extend the length of your greenhouse, and stack them with 12 inches of space in between.<\/p>
Then, buy 24-inch-long planting trays from your local garden center or home improvement store. Snag as many as you need to fill up your greenhouse for your desired amount of sod. <\/p>
For example, if your greenhouse fits four 6-foot-long shelves, plus the floor (let\u2019s say the floor can fit 6 more feet of tray space), then you have 30 feet of tray space available and will need 15 trays. <\/p>
Lay trays side by side along the shelves and use scissors to cut off the ends of middle trays to create longer portions of sod. Allow for a little overlap and use duct tape to secure the trays in place. <\/p>
Pro Tip:<\/strong> Trays must have proper drainage. If need be, use a hammer and nail to poke holes (3 inches apart) in the bottom of the trays.<\/p>
3. Fill trays with soil<\/span><\/h3>
It\u2019s time to let your soil mix and mingle. In a large container, mix a combination of one-third vermiculite, one-third topsoil, and one-third peat moss<\/strong>. Or, to make it easier, you can purchase potting soil<\/strong> and skip the mixing process. Fill your trays with 1 1\/2 inches of soil.<\/p>
4. Plant your grass seed<\/span><\/h3>
Let\u2019s introduce the stars of the show: Your grass seeds! Follow the seeding instructions for your particular grass variety, sprinkling a thick layer of seed over your soil. Then, spread another quarter of an inch of potting soil over your seeds.<\/p>
Pro Tip: <\/strong>Have a boatload of coffee filters from a Costco run? Save money on potting soil by spreading dampened coffee filters over your seeds instead. Once grass has started to sprout, remove the filters.<\/p>
![\"Man](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/watering.jpg\")
Gustavo Fring<\/a> | Pexels <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> 5. Water and wait<\/span><\/h3>
Fill a large spray bottle with water and mix in a few drops of liquid plant food to encourage germination. Thoroughly spray your seeds as soon as you\u2019ve finished planting. <\/p>
Water your grass seeds daily or multiple times a day for six to eight weeks to keep the soil moist. By the six-week mark, grass should look healthy and dense.<\/p>
6. Till your area<\/span><\/h3>
Clear the planting area of roots, rocks, and twigs. Then, use a rototiller to loosen existing soil so it\u2019s ready for your new sod. Till to a depth of 6 to 8 inches and remove additional rocks and debris that come to the surface. Rototilling alleviates soil compaction so new grass can easily grow into the ground. <\/p>
![\"Large](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/compost-pile.jpg\")
Oregon State University <\/a>| Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> 7. Add compost<\/span><\/h3>
If your soil is clay-heavy or sandy, mix in 1 to 3 inches of topsoil and compost, grass clippings, or decomposing leaves. These nutrient-rich amendments<\/a> will keep soil loose and oxygen-rich to encourage healthy grass growth.<\/p>
8. Rake<\/span><\/h3>
Level your soil with a rake to ensure there aren\u2019t any hills or ditches where water could pool. Then, lightly water the area to see how the water flows, so you can even out sneaky low spots where puddles form.<\/p>
![\"Man](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/laying-sod-1.jpg\")
Anna Shvets<\/a> | Pexels<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div> 9. Plant your new sod<\/span><\/h3>
Now is the moment of truth! It\u2019s time to transport your sod from your greenhouse to its permanent home.<\/p>
- Lift your sod<\/strong> out of the tray at one end. The grass roots will have meshed together, so sod should come out in one strip. <\/li>
- Roll your sod <\/strong>into a cylinder like it\u2019s a grassy cinnamon roll. Transport it across your lawn in a wheelbarrow.<\/li>
- Lay<\/strong> your sod<\/strong> over your desired area and use a sod knife to trim it to size. <\/li>
- Roll<\/strong> your sod <\/strong>out with a sod roller once it\u2019s in place. This will smooth the surface and remove air pockets. <\/li><\/ul>
10. Water your sod<\/span><\/h3>
Water your new sod deeply, either with a hose, sprinkler, or drip irrigation system<\/a>. Keep sod moist by watering daily in the morning (or multiple times a day, during dry periods) for the first 10 to 14 days after installation, until the sod has taken root. Avoid walking on your sod during the first week.<\/p>
How to care for your fresh sod<\/span><\/h2>
- After the first 10 to 14 days, switch your watering schedule to once or twice a week, giving your turf 1 to 1.5 inches of water<\/a> per week. <\/li><\/ul>
- After the sod has rooted and grown 3 to 3.5 inches tall (about two weeks after installation), mow it on the highest mower setting. This will protect your sod from accidental scalping. <\/li><\/ul>
- Apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer three to four weeks after sodding. (If you choose to install sod in winter, wait to fertilize until spring, after your grass has greened up.)<\/li><\/ul>
- Fertilize your sodded area again after 30 to 60 days. After this, put your new sod on the same fertilizing schedule as the rest of your lawn.<\/li><\/ul>
Why grow your own sod?<\/span><\/h2>
Unless you have an enormous greenhouse, you probably won\u2019t fill your entire lawn with homegrown sod. However, growing sod is perfect if: <\/p>
- Your yard has a patch of sod that failed to establish and turned brown.<\/li>
- You have a xeriscape<\/a> or rock garden and want to add a pop of green.<\/li>
- Your dog or kids ripped up a patch of sod while playing.<\/li>
- You haven\u2019t replaced the turfgrass around your mailbox in a while and it\u2019s starting to get patchy.<\/li><\/ul>
When can I grow sod? <\/span><\/h2>
If you have a greenhouse or protected sunny space, you can grow sod at most times of the year, as long as soil temperatures aren\u2019t too hot (above 85 degrees Fahrenheit) or too cold (below 50 degrees Fahrenheit). Sod will be ready for transplant six to eight weeks after seeds are planted.<\/p>
Begin growing sod before your lawn gets patchy, so you won\u2019t have to wait six weeks to repair that hole Fido dug.<\/p>
Here are the best times of the year to grow and install sod:<\/strong><\/p>
If you live in the warmer lower half of the U.S.<\/strong> and are installing warm-season grass<\/a> (like bermuda grass, centipedegrass, St. Augustinegrass, and Zoysia), start growing sod in late winter to early spring<\/strong> so you can install it in mid-spring to early summer.<\/p>
If you live in the cooler upper half of the U.S.<\/strong> and are installing cool-season grass (like Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, or ryegrass), start growing sod in early to mid-summer<\/strong> so you can install it in late summer to late fall. The second-best option is to start growing sod in late winter to early spring for installation in late spring.<\/p>
If you live in the middle belt of the country<\/strong> sandwiched between the cool-season North and warm-season South, you\u2019re in the Transition Zone. This is where you may grow either type of grass, depending on your specific climate and soil type. Choose your Transition Zone grass type<\/a> and then start growing grass according to its growing season. <\/p>
For example, if you live in the southern portion of the Transition Zone, you may opt for warm-season bermuda grass or Zoysia and begin growing it in late winter to early spring. <\/p>
Cost of growing sod yourself vs. buying it<\/span><\/h2>
Growing your own sod can be an enjoyable DIY project. But, once you\u2019ve factored in the cost of trays, potting soil, seed, and liquid plant food, growing your own sod may not make as much financial sense as simply buying it from your local garden center. And if you have to buy a greenhouse just to grow your sod, it\u2019s probably not the best choice.<\/p>
Here\u2019s how the math adds up. <\/strong><\/p>
Let\u2019s say you need 32 square feet of sod to patch up your lawn and you\u2019re going to install it yourself. <\/p>
Homegrown sod<\/span><\/h3>
- Fertilize your sodded area again after 30 to 60 days. After this, put your new sod on the same fertilizing schedule as the rest of your lawn.<\/li><\/ul>
- Apply a nitrogen-rich fertilizer three to four weeks after sodding. (If you choose to install sod in winter, wait to fertilize until spring, after your grass has greened up.)<\/li><\/ul>
- After the sod has rooted and grown 3 to 3.5 inches tall (about two weeks after installation), mow it on the highest mower setting. This will protect your sod from accidental scalping. <\/li><\/ul>
- Roll your sod <\/strong>into a cylinder like it\u2019s a grassy cinnamon roll. Transport it across your lawn in a wheelbarrow.<\/li>
- A greenhouse or sunny, moist area<\/strong> (like a sunroom or patio)<\/li>
- 10 steps to grow your own sod<\/a><\/li>
![\"Green](\"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/grass-barrel.png\")