Sod is basically sections of grass that have already grown, and a small part of the soil beneath it held together by the root system or in some cases by a thin layer of biodegradable material.

Sod are usually used in landscaping which is one of the fastest and easiest ways to increase the value of a home. It’s used to beautify lawns for private homes, business, parks, schools, recreational fields, and the like. Additionally, sod can also be used in golf courses and sports stadiums. Indeed, sods can be of different uses, they can also be used to counteract erosion on hillsides and new construction sites. Sod can also improve cooling during the heat as plants release water vapor when they get hot, because of this, sod can also improve air and water quality in the immediate area it is planted to. Sods can also help to prevent flooding in the immediate are as it helps drain the water and divert it to the ground.

Different types of grass grow better under different conditions that’s why there are also different types of sod. Some of the types of sod are Bermuda grass which is tolerant to foot traffic and drought conditions; Bella Bluegrass which is ideal in areas that are trying to conserve water, because it is highly drought resistant and grows well even in poor soil conditions; St. Augustine which do not do well in the cold however is resistant to pests especially the chinch bug; and Centipede which has a wider blade with a coarser appearance than other but is also considered to be low maintenance and can maintain its color even during the fall and then turns green early in the spring.

Sod is planted and then harvested for a period of 10-18 months depending on the variety. The growth rate also depends on the climate conditions of the farm and on other factors such as fertilizers used and the like. When harvested, it could be sold in several ways – it could either be as a square slab or a rolled rectangle. Square slabs are easier to handle for private homeowners while a rolled rectangle is typically used for new lawn installation or major repair projects or in bigger, commercial installations.

There are two ways on how to put grass in landscapes, it could either be grass seed or sod. Sod can provide immediate cover and stabilization. Sod can be planted anytime of the year unlike seeds in which cultivation time is limited to when temperatures are neither too hot nor cold. Sod installation is easier because it is already established, unlike grass seed which can easily be blown or washed away or may fail to germinate. However, the cost of sod is much more expensive than grass seed, and there are more varieties of grass seed than sod to choose from. Also, proper preparation of the soil is required to ensure that the sod is correctly and successfully installed.

When installing sod, it is important to compact the soil before adding the sod strips. Areas that are too loose or too compacted will cause uneven growth, poor rooting and potentially compaction as well if the roots have nowhere to go. During this time, the role of topsoil enters.

Topsoil is the top layer of the soil. Topsoil is rich in organic matter that holds not only moisture, but also beneficial microbial life that contributes nutrients for healthy plant growth. Topsoil helps in maintaining the quality, structure, and moisture levels in the soil. Topsoil also provides nutrients for plants as it breaks down organic matter into plant-available forms for the plant to consume. Because of these reasons, it’s important that sods are laid on top of compacted soil that has been mixed with appropriate fertilizers.

Compacted topsoil is only needed in cases where it is needed to fill areas that are too loose to prevent uneven growth and poor rooting. However, if topsoil is to be used in areas that are too hard, then it doesn’t need to be compacted but only filled. So, when laying sod, it is important to make sure to prepare the ground, that the surface is even and that the soil is loose enough to ensure that there aren’t any large dips or rises.

There are also measures on the amount of topsoil to be put. If sod is to be laid in an area that is already covered with topsoil, it is only ideal to use about a pound and a half of topsoil per square foot. If it is to be added to hard soil or in areas where there isn’t enough topsoil, then it is ideal to add as much topsoil needed to ensure that the ground is soft and loose. Topsoil can be purchased in bags or by yards.

Sod-laying is relatively easy and quick to install provided that the right steps and guidelines are followed. The first step is to select the ideal type of sod which will suit the climate and conditions in the immediate area. This can be done by purchasing a test kit to have the soil examined in a lab. This will help in choosing the ideal variety suited to the condition of the given soil.