Sod Installation: Best Practices for Establishing New Warm-Season Lawns
If you’re dreaming of a lush, green lawn but don’t have the time to grow grass from seed, laying sod is your fast track to success. When done right, sod installation gives you an instantly green lawn that can establish quickly and thrive for years to come. But, like anything in lawn care, there’s a right way and a wrong way to do it.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best practices for laying sod in spring so your new warm-season lawn looks as fresh as a golf course fairway.
Why Install Sod in Spring?
Spring is one of the best times to install sod, especially if you’re planting warm-season grasses like Bermuda, Zoysia, or Centipede. The soil is warming up, rain is (hopefully) frequent, and the grass has the entire growing season ahead to establish deep roots. By the time summer rolls around, your sod should be thriving and ready to handle the heat like a champ.
How to Measure and Order the Right Amount of Sod
Before you start prepping your lawn, you need to know exactly how much sod to order. Too little, and you’ll have patchy areas that need to be filled later. Too much, and you’re wasting money on sod you won’t use.
Steps to calculate sod requirements:
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Measure your lawn — Multiply the length × width of the area you’re sodding to get the total square footage.
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Account for waste — Order about 5-10% more than your total square footage to account for trimming and fitting.
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Understand sod coverage — Sod is typically sold by the pallet or roll. One pallet usually covers 400-500 square feet, but check with your supplier for exact coverage.
How to Store and Handle Sod Before Installation
Sod is a perishable product, and how you handle it before installation can affect its success.
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Install immediately — Fresh sod should be installed the same day it’s delivered. If that’s not possible, try to lay it within 24 hours.
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Keep it moist — If you must store sod overnight, keep it in the shade and lightly mist it with water to prevent drying out.
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Avoid stacking too high — Heat builds up in stacked sod rolls, which can cause damage. Spread them out if installation is delayed.
Choosing the Right Sod for Your Climate
Before you start rolling out sod like a red carpet for your lawn, make sure you’re selecting the right type for your region. Warm-season grasses are best suited for southern states and thrive in hot, sunny conditions. Some popular choices include:
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Bermuda — Fast-growing and incredibly durable, perfect for high-traffic lawns.
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Zoysia — Dense and soft underfoot with great drought resistance.
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Centipede — Low-maintenance and slow-growing, ideal for homeowners who want a great lawn without constant upkeep.
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St. Augustine — A solid choice for shaded areas where other warm-season grasses struggle.
Preparing Your Lawn for Sod Installation
Just like painting a wall, the prep work before laying sod is just as important as the installation itself. Here’s how to get your lawn ready:
Clear Out the Old Grass and Weeds
Remove any existing grass, weeds, and debris. A sod cutter makes this job much easier. If you have weeds or stubborn grass patches, use a non-selective herbicide like Roundup QuikPRO.
For an organic approach, use Mirimich Green Organic Weed Control to ensure you’re starting with a clean slate. It’s safe for people, pets, and the environment — perfect for homeowners who want a lush lawn without synthetic chemicals. This is an excellent alternative to glyphosate for killing your entire lawn as part of a renovation project. Remember, this weed killer is non-selective so it will kill your grass and weeds.
Level and Improve the Soil
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Test your soil: A soil test kit will help determine if your lawn needs additional nutrients.
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Ensure proper drainage: Avoid future headaches by making sure water won’t pool in low spots.
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Add soil amendments: If your soil is compacted or of poor quality, aerate and mix in compost or a biostimulant like CarbonizPN-G™ to improve root development. Packed with biochar, compost, and humic acid, this granular soil amendment improves drainage, boosts microbial activity, and enhances nutrient absorption. It’s a must-have for getting your new sod off to the best start possible.
Installing Your Sod Like a Pro
Now that your lawn is prepped and ready, it’s time to roll out that fresh green carpet.
Lay Sod in a Staggered Pattern
Think of it like bricklaying — stagger the seams so they don’t line up, reducing the risk of gaps and ensuring a seamless look. Avoid stretching the sod, and make sure each piece is tightly placed against the next.
Press Down and Water Immediately
After laying each piece, use a lawn roller to press the sod firmly into the soil. This removes air pockets and ensures good root-to-soil contact. Then, give it a good soaking! Watering immediately is crucial to prevent the sod from drying out.
Caring for Your New Sod
Your sod may look great right away, but it will need some TLC to establish strong roots. Here’s how to keep it happy:
Watering Schedule
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Days 1-7: Water deeply 2-3 times a day to keep the sod moist.
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Weeks 2-3: Reduce watering to once per day.
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Week 4 and Beyond: Shift to a normal watering schedule (about 1 inch of water per week).
If there’s rain, adjust your watering schedule based on how much rainfall your lawn receives.
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Light rain: Continue watering but reduce frequency slightly if the sod still feels moist.
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Moderate to heavy rain: Pause watering for the day and check soil moisture before resuming. Avoid overwatering, as excess moisture can lead to disease and poor root development.
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Extended rainy periods: If it rains consistently for several days, stop watering until the soil begins to dry out. Once the rain subsides, resume a light watering schedule as needed to maintain moisture without waterlogging the sod.
Fertilizing Your Sod
Once your sod has been down for a few weeks, it’s time to feed it. A high-quality fertilizer like Lebanon Humic Max 16-0-8 Fertilizer will help it establish deeper roots and maintain a rich green color. It is a slow-release fertilizer packed with humic acid for improved soil health and MESA® nitrogen for long-lasting, even growth. It helps establish strong roots and keeps your lawn looking pristine all season long.
Mowing for the First Time
Hold off on mowing until the sod has rooted into the soil (typically 3-4 weeks). When you do mow, set your mower high to avoid scalping the new grass.
Keeping Your New Sod Weed-Free
Weeds are opportunists, and new sod provides the perfect environment for them to sneak in if you’re not careful. While high-quality sod is typically free of weeds, gaps between sod pieces, disturbed soil, and excessive watering can create the ideal conditions for weed seeds to germinate. Here’s how to keep your new lawn weed-free as it establishes.
Prevent Weeds Before They Appear
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Fill gaps between sod pieces — Make sure sod pieces are laid tightly together to prevent weed seeds from settling in open spaces.
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Mulch bare edges — If any areas are left exposed, consider using mulch around the edges to suppress weeds.
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Use a pre-emergent herbicide (after rooting) — Around 4-6 weeks after installation, apply 0.38% Prodiamine Granular Pre-Emergent Herbicide 0-0-7 to prevent crabgrass and other weeds from taking over. Avoid using it too soon, as it can interfere with sod root development.
Control Weeds Without Harming New Sod
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Hand-pull weeds early — If weeds pop up within the first few weeks, pull them by hand to prevent spreading.
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Mow properly — Keeping your sod at the recommended mowing height (typically 1-2 inches for Bermuda, 2-3 inches for Zoysia) helps shade out weeds and prevent their seeds from germinating.
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Use a selective herbicide for established sod — If weeds persist after 6-8 weeks, spot-treat them with a selective post-emergent herbicide like Celsius WG Broadleaf & Grassy Weed Control, which is safe for most warm-season grasses.
The Role of Lawn Fertility in Weed Prevention
A healthy, thick lawn is your best defense against weeds. Fertilizing your sod with a high-quality product like Humic Max ensures the grass grows dense enough to choke out potential weed invaders.
By following these steps, your new sod will stay lush, healthy, and weed-free, giving you the pristine lawn you’ve always wanted!
Pest and Disease Prevention for New Sod
New sod is vulnerable to pests and diseases. Keep an eye out for:
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Sod webworms, grubs, and armyworms – These pests can chew through new grass before it fully establishes. Use an insecticide like Acelepryn SC that contains chlorantraniliprole, providing season-long control of grubs and armyworms with a single application in April or May. It's suitable for all grass types and is gentle on beneficial insects like bees and earthworms.
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Brown patch or Pythium blight — Excess moisture can lead to fungal infections. Applying a preventative fungicide such as Headway G or Pillar SC Intrinsic® Brand can help.
Headway G is a granular fungicide designed to combat a wide range of turf diseases, including Pythium blight. Its dual-action formula ensures effective treatment and prevention.
Pillar SC Intrinsic® Brand offers broad-spectrum control against various lawn diseases, making it effective against brown patch. Its liquid formulation allows for easy application and quick absorption.
Long-Term Maintenance Tips for a Thriving Lawn
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Seasonal care — Adjust watering and fertilization based on the time of year. Warm-season grasses thrive in hot weather but may need less water in cooler months.
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Aeration — Once your sod is fully established (typically after its first full growing season), aerating helps loosen compacted soil, improve water absorption, and encourage deeper root growth. This is especially beneficial for high-traffic lawns.
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Overseeding (if applicable) — While not necessary for most warm-season grasses, some homeowners overseed with ryegrass in the fall to maintain a green lawn through winter. If you choose to overseed, ensure proper watering and mowing adjustments to support both grass types.
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Proper mowing — Stick to the recommended mowing height for your grass type, and never remove more than one-third of the blade length at a time. Keeping your mower blades sharp ensures a clean cut, reducing stress on the grass and lowering disease risk.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even with the best spring sod installation tips, mistakes can still happen. Here are some common pitfalls to watch out for:
❌ Not watering enough — Dry sod equals dead sod. Keep it moist!
❌ Gaps between sod pieces — Make sure each piece is tightly placed to prevent weeds from sneaking in.
❌ Mowing too soon — Let those roots establish before you start mowing the lawn.
❌ Skipping fertilizer — New sod needs nutrients to thrive, so don’t forget to feed it!
Roll Out the Green Carpet
Warm-season grass sod installation is a great way to get an instant lawn, but success depends on proper preparation, installation, and aftercare. By following these best practices for laying sod in spring, you’ll be well on your way to a healthy, vibrant lawn that turns heads in the neighborhood.
Ready to get started? Check out Golf Course Lawn Store for all the products you need to make your sod installation a success!
Ron Henry
Ron Henry is the founder of Golf Course Lawn, which is dedicated to helping homeowners achieve golf course-quality lawns. He holds a certificate in Sports Turfgrass Management from the University of Georgia. With expert knowledge in turf care, fertilization, and weed control, he shares practical tips and product recommendations to create lush, healthy lawns.