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Instructions:  You must install an automatic irrigation system.  Manual watering will not be adequate.  Ask for help on the design of your irrigation system.
  PREPARE SOIL
1.  Rototill or spade to a depth of 6 inches.
2.  Remove sticks, stones, roots and other debris.
3.  Use organic compost, and mix the soil.  The additives are a must.

LEVEL 
1.  Smooth the soil by raking.
2.  Grade surface to 1 inch below driveways, sidewalks, sprinklers, etc.
3.  Firm soil by rolling.
4.  Fill in the low spots and roll again.
5.  Pre-irrigate lawn surface area the night before installation.

PRE-FERTILIZE 
1. Broadcast surface area to be sodded with one pound 6-20-20 fertilizer per 100 square feet of area.

LAY SOD
1. Install your lawn immediately upon delivery.
2.  Start laying sod along a straight line, such as a sidewalk or driveway.  Do not lay sod on bone dry soil.
3.  Make sure all joints are butted together, do not overlap or leave spaces between the rolls of sod.
4.  On the second line stagger the joints as in laying bricks, continue to stagger the joints with each new line.
5.  Use a sharp knife to cut sod around trees, along sidewalks, around sprinklers, etc.
6.  Keep sod lightly watered behind you as you lay it.  Do not let the sod dry out!!!

ROLL
1.  Roll the lawn with a light roller to smooth out small bumps and to remove air pockets; this will assure good contact with the soil.  Do not use a heavy roller as this will leave marks on the lawn.

   WATER WATER WATER
1.  After installation water the entire lawn thoroughly to a depth of 8-10 inches.
2.  By irrigation system (hand watering will not be adequate), water the lawn 3 times per day for 15 minutes.  Ideally, watering should be at 7:00 am, 11:00 am, and 3 pm.  Do not water at night.
3.  Water should not be allowed to pool and sit on new soil.  In this case, reduce watering times.
4.  Follow this procedure for the first 10 days.
Note:  Virtually all problems with new sod are water related.  Do not apply fungicides or fertilizers to new lawns.

IRRIGATION FOR ESTABLISHED LAWNS 
1.  The idea is to reduce the frequency and increase the depth of your waterings, thus forcing the roots deeper.  Sandy soils will require more water than those with high clay content.  If you have prepared properly, using organic matter and a Gypsum additive, warm inland regions and summer weather waterings should be every other day for 30 minutes.  Winter and cool weather waterings should be twice weekly for 20-30 minutes.  Never water at night, any time of the year.

MOWING
 1.  Using a grass catcher (rakes will pull up sod netting), mow your new lawn 10-12 days after installation.  Never take off more than 1/3 of the blade length, as burning will occur.
2.  After established, mow as needed.  If the lawn gets out of hand, give it several mowings, 5 days apart until you have it to the desired height.  Even established lawns will scorch, if allowed to get too long, and then scalped.  Remove mowing debris.

FERTILIZATION
1.  Simple:  Once in April, once in September.  We recommend 16-16-16 fertilizer.  Overfertilizing results in weak top growth and increased mowing.  Fertilizers with high nitrogen only (21-0-0 e.g.), do not properly nourish roots.  Apply fertilizer to a dry lawn, then water thoroughly.  After the lawn is a year old, you may want to use an iron supplement with your spring feeding.
   
   
   
   
   
 


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SOD ASSISTANCE
HOT LINE
1-800-553-8328
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