There’s nothing like a fresh, green lawn to add curb appeal to your property in the summertime. However, if you’re currently dealing with browning, dead, or bald patches, you’ll need to supplement your lawn with new grass. According to Keeven Bros Sod Company in O’Fallon, MO, there are plenty of mistakes to be made during the sod installation process. Familiarize yourself with the following missteps from these grass suppliers, so you can optimize your new lawn.

3 Common Mistakes Associated With Sod Installation

1. Being Unprepared for Delivery

When your sod supplier drops off your order, they’ll deliver a pallet of pre-cut panels. As the sod sits stacked on a pallet, microorganisms in the grass produce heat and carbon dioxide, which both get trapped between the panels. If the sod is left to sit, this process will kill the grass before you even lay it on your lawn. To avoid this, make sure to schedule the delivery at a time when you can immediately get started.

2. Not Prepping the Soil

In addition to the heat-producing microorganisms, the summer sun can overheat the soil where you intend to plant the new sod. To avoid singeing the roots of the panels and discoloring the grass, wet the soil to about 3 inches beneath the surface a day or two before you lay the sod. That way, the dirt will have dried slightly, but it will still nourish the grass roots and prevent them from overheating.

3. Forgetting to Allow the Sod to Settle

Once you’ve completed the sod installation, you’ll need to take extra care to allow the grass to adapt to its new home. To allow the short roots to extend into the underlying soil, water the new grass deeply instead of briefly and frequently. However, avoid stepping on the sod when doing so; the best rule of thumb is to avoid foot traffic on the new grass for four to six weeks. Otherwise, the grass won’t take root, and depressions will result in a lumpy yard.

If you have more questions about sod installation or would like to set up a delivery order, contact the professionals at Keeven Bros Sod Company. They are proud to sell top-quality sod rolls, as well as provide a wide range of services, like lawn grading and grass seeding. To schedule sod delivery, call them at (636) 240-4900 today, or visit their website to learn more about their services.