Measuring and Preparation

Turf Experts at Your Service

Dayton Valley Turf has sod available in 8 sq. ft. rolls and 480 sq. ft. pallets. Sod is available for pick up or delivery. Our commitment to excellent customer service means you are always dealing with an experienced, knowledgeable professional who is dedicated to ensuring the long-term health and vibrancy of your lawn and yard. No matter what your level of experience with planting sod, our Turf Experts are with you from start to finish, helping you on your way to a greener yard.

6 Steps to Success

Dayton Valley Turf knows exactly what to do to ensure your lawn is the best looking and healthiest lawn around. Our Turf Experts have developed a 6 step system designed to ensure your sod installation goes smoothly and lasts a long time.

1. Measure Your Planting Area

Before you order your new sod, it is critical that you measure how much sod you actually need for your yard. In order to measure your planting area, divide it into rectangles and triangles. Measure and calculate the square footage of each area. After you have calculated the total measurements, add 5-10% more in order to account for outlying spaces.

2. Prepare Your Soil

Soil should be loose and possess necessary nutrients and amendments to ensure the sod takes root and grows in healthy, green, and long lasting. Northern Nevada soils are typically lacking in essential nutrients. The addition of organic material improves root growth and provides nutrients to sod while retaining moisture at the root zone. You should apply organic nutrients into soil 4-6” deep.

Dayton Valley Turf offers soil testing services to determine what soil amendments are needed in your planting area for successful root establishment and healthy growth of your new lawn. Our Turf Experts offer custom soil analysis for only $100. Here is how to take your soil sample:

  • Collect your soil sample from the area to be planted by clearing the area of debris. Walk in a zig-zag pattern across the entire area while collecting scoops of soil since one section can vary in soil composition from another.
  • Combine your soil samples into a large bag and then scoop out about 2 cups of soil.
  • Seal the soil in a plastic bag and bring it into Dayton Valley Turf’s experts for testing.
  • The test results will be available within 10 days.
  • Your report will allow Dayton Valley Turf’s experts to provide you with a customized plan of soil enrichment.

3. Grade and Amend Your Soil

Grade the planting area, making sure there are no low spots. The site should be sloped in a direction appropriate for drainage and away from buildings. Grade 1 ½” from sprinkler heads and sidewalks to account for sod thickening. Rake a high-quality starter fertilizer such as MRoots or EndoRoots into the top 1” of soil to help establish the root system while reducing transplant shock.

Our experts recommend the addition of ZEBA to the soil for moisture retention at the root zone. The combination of Mycorrhiza products and ZEBA will help to increase water and nutrient absorption while building grass plant resistance to pathogens and increasing tolerance to acidity and heat stress.

4. Test Your Sprinkler System

Confirm your sprinkler system has even head to head coverage of the planting area. Check for problems such as blocked, crooked, or broken sprinkler heads and make any necessary repairs prior to installation.

You should measure consistent watering patterns by placing similar containers throughout the yard area. Turn on the sprinklers for 5 minutes and measure the amount of water in each container. Adjust the sprinklers accordingly for uniform coverage

5. Water Your Planting Area

Wet your planting area, keeping it moist until the sod is placed. This will help level the soil and remove air pockets. A dry base can cause sod to dehydrate, burn root hairs, and bring stress to newly-planted grass. We recommend that both soil and sod be kept moist prior to installation. This will help reduce transplant shock and make sod easier to handle.

6. Plant and Grow!

Sod is a living organism that needs water and ground contact to survive. Dayton Valley Turf recommends installing sod immediately upon delivery for the best possible results.

Learn More Sod Installation Tips