Our build, layer by layer · Charlotte, NC
Grass doesn't grow
on bare ground.
Every lot is different, so we build real soil first. These are the layers that go in before the first roll of sod.
- 1Strip the old turf, loosen the base
The tired lawn comes up first. Then we loosen the packed ground below it and grade the whole area level.
- 2A layer of composted topsoil
Aged compost goes down over the base. It feeds the roots and holds water like a sponge, two jobs plain sand cannot do.
- 3Lime and starter fertilizer
If the soil test shows acidic ground, lime brings the pH back. Starter fertilizer pushes new roots in the first week.
- 4Fresh tall fescue sod
A tall fescue blend cut fresh to order, set down in 300 lb rolls and pressed flat with a roller.
Sprinklers are part of the build, not an extra
Good drainage is great for a patio. New grass needs soil that holds water.
Questions about the build
Can sod go straight onto bare ground?
It can, but it will not last. Bare, unprepped ground holds little water and little food. Sod set right on top looks great for a couple of weeks. Then the roots reach the bare sand, quit growing, and the grass turns brown in the first heat wave. Roots need the compost layer to grow into.
Why roll the sod after it is laid?
Our 300 pound roller pushes each piece down tight against the soil. Pockets of air under the sod kill grass, because roots cannot cross the gap. It only takes a few minutes, and leaving it out is a top cause of new lawns failing.
When will the new sod root in?
Roots take about 3 weeks to set. We give you a written watering schedule. Stay off the new sod until we come back for the first cut, about 21 to 30 days after install. During that time you are covered by our 30-day establishment guarantee.
Will my lawn need a sprinkler system?
If it is bigger than about 1,500 square feet, it will. A hose cannot keep the ground moist through July and August. Sod that dries out before its roots grip is lost. That is why we only take on larger lawns when irrigation is part of the job.