When installing new sod, you should use a lawn roller after installation. Specifically, the process involves wetting the sod first and then rolling it.
Using a lawn roller is a crucial step in the sod installation process and is always recommended. The timing is key to ensuring the new sod establishes properly.
The Right Time to Roll New Sod
Based on recommendations, the ideal time to roll your new sod is directly after installation, following a specific sequence:
- Step 1: Lay the Sod - Install the new sod pieces across the prepared area, ensuring edges are butted together tightly without overlapping.
- Step 2: Water Thoroughly - After the sod is laid out, immediately wet the grass. Give it a substantial amount of water, allowing it to soak for at least 10 minutes. This saturates the sod and the underlying soil.
- Step 3: Roll the Sod - After the sod has been laid out and thoroughly watered (specifically after the recommended minimum 10 minutes of watering), proceed to roll it with a lawn roller.
Why Roll New Sod After Watering?
Rolling the sod after installation and after it has been wetted serves an important purpose. Allowing the sod to get wet and moist before rolling helps to:
- Promote Soil Contact: The moisture makes the sod more pliable and helps it conform better to the contours of the ground beneath.
- "Glue" Sod to Soil: As mentioned in the reference, letting the sod get wet and moist will help "glue" the sod to the soil it's on. This ensures good contact between the roots of the sod and the subsoil, which is essential for root growth and establishment.
- Remove Air Pockets: Rolling helps to eliminate any air pockets that may exist between the sod and the soil, further improving contact.
Ensuring excellent soil-to-sod contact is vital for the roots to quickly grow into the underlying soil, allowing the sod to take root and thrive. Rolling after installation is not just recommended, but considered required for successful sod establishment.
