Sod

I hate landscaping.

Removing an old deck has left 650 sq feet of dirt that needs to be dealt with.

Needs to be grass, can't pave or gravel it. I don't have a chance of getting grass seed to grow nice and evenly so I figured I'd try sod. It's late in the year, but the sod farm said it could be done. Any tips beyond lots of watering?

I'm in southern Michigan....

Bag of seed and a bale of hay.

What's 'sod'?

There should be no problem with sod at this time of year. AS you said water it 1-2 times a day for the first 10-14 days. Then once a day for another week. After that when ever it looks like it but at least twice a week until the snow flies.

Is it too late to plant winter wheat?

Green side up.

poopshovel wrote:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR_1vm_H8d4

This is probably the best time of the year to put down sod. Water it well now, and it will be ready to go in the spring.

I have been busy planting fruit trees for the same reason, you saw some of them when at the Compound.

Gearheadotaku wrote: I hate landscaping. Removing an old deck has left 650 sq feet of dirt that needs to be dealt with. Needs to be grass, can't pave or gravel it.

Just park a Miata or three on top of it. Isn't that always the answer?

Stagger the ends, like you would if you were building a wall, so the joints don't overlap with each other.

If you see mushrooms, you're watering too much.

Just as with painting a car, prep is the most work. Work fert into soil and grade well.

Run a row of sod around the perimeter first. Much cleaner edges.

A cheap machete is the best cutting tool. It will also come in handy for the impending zombie invasion. Box cutters can be good, too. Depends on grass type, soil thickness, plastic mesh, etc.

Shore up the outer edge of that row with soil to prevent drying edges and for better root growth.

Have a good supply of extra soil to fill in gaps.

Use a low nitrogen fert - all you want is root growth and cold hardiness with minimal blade growth. Apply to soil, not turf.

Water according to soil type and weather. Don't over do it. Pull an edge of sod up daily in different areas to check moisture and root growth.

When finished, drink some Grolsch.

Grolsch? Haven't had that in years.....

Screw the sod, buy one of these and lay out a course:

Oooh, I've got one, er, ahem, my SON has one of those, and it is a grass destroyer!!

jg

By the way, I thought my "green side up" comment was genius. JG knows the true story behind it, though.

Can't pave or gravel it?

Can you build a flagstone or brick patio on that area?

patio > deck in my opinion.

David S. Wallens wrote: By the way, I thought my "green side up" comment was genius. JG knows the true story behind it, though.

"Dirty side down" works as well, in all kinds of scenarios.

novaderrik wrote:

poopshovel wrote:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZR_1vm_H8d4

Agreed. I came here expecting this, instead nothing but grass...

Well it's installed. Added a second Japanese Maple too. Now to see how it all holds up this winter. Thanks everyone for your advice with this, the most "grassroots" of all subjects

In reply to Gearheadotaku:

So how was the Grolsch?

forgot...

Saad?