Sod Laying Questions/Alternatives
 

I live in Central California, where we get no rain in the summer. Our backyard is a big pile of dirt that gets very little sun. I would like to lay sod down and make our backyard habitable/barefoot-able.

What I'm wondering if it's even worth it to lay the sod in an area that gets 2-3 hours of direct sun a day? Assuming that it can be done, I have the following questions:


What do I need to do to prepare the ground for new sod?

How much am I looking at for sod per square foot/yard?

How do I lay sod?

What do I do once the sod is laid to make sure it stays good and soddy?

well, if you insist on sod,

First you have to make sure the soil isn't tired. You can take a sample to your local garden center and they can look at it, or you can just bite the bullet and get a ton or so of sheep manure and rototil it in.

After this, rake it relatively flat and water it to the point it is *almost* mud.

Then put your sod down and WATER WATER WATER.

The trick is to make it muddy underneath so the roots can bite into the ground and to keep it that way until they do.

Last time I bought sod (awhile ago) it was about 2.25 a roll which I think covered about 10 or so sq. ft.

(don't quote me on any of this pricing).

Anyway, you literally unroll it like a carpet where you want it. My friend had great success by taking off her shoes and literally working the sod in with her bare feet (like a geisha working your back).

May need to wait...
 

Sod will need tons of water to root in properly. You may be fighting a losing battle considering your climate unless you don't mind insane water bills. If you are going to do it now, get on it ASAP before the hot summer or wait till late summer early fall.

Another option is to get some grass seed that is made for dry areas. I don't know off hand where you might get it but I'm sure some of the better gardening places have it. My backyard is completely shaded and I was almost resigned to just having a mud pit back there. I had tried the generic scotts seed and all the other big brands but nothing worked. Then I found a shade blend at a nursery that required very little light. Now I have grass. The seed was quite expensive compared to the stuff from home depot, but the results were worth it.

he's right with the watering, massive watering. ask the local garden center when they get the fresh rolls in. i work in a garden center here, and we can have it delivered if you order 50 rolls (500sq ft). the key in most of it is getting the sod as fresh as you can get, after the first day it starts the yellowing effect.

Re: Sod Laying Questions/Alternatives
 

Don't do it in the missionary position. Sod likes it kinky. Sod likes it rough. Sod likes to be sodomized. That's why its called "sod."

Check with your local sod store. They will be able to tell you the best type of grass to use for the amount of light it will get. As everyone else has said, do it when it's not really hot because it takes a lot of water for about the first 2-3 weeks.