Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Testing and cleaning up the earth
• Part 2 of 3: Leveling the Earth
• Part 3 of 3: Working and smoothing the earth
• Necessities

Turf can turn a patch of bare earth or dead grass into a lush, green lawn. If you want your turf to look even and healthy, take the time to prepare the soil before laying the turf.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Testing and cleaning up the earth

1. Have a sample of the soil tested. An soil test will help you figure out what to add to the soil to make it healthy so it is ready for the sod. To take a sample of the soil, fill a bucket with the top 10-15 cm of soil from at least 10 different spots in the area where the sod will be placed. Then contact the municipal office to find out how to hand in the sample.
   • Have the sample checked a month before you plan to lay the sod so that there is enough time to get the results back.
2. Clean up any dirt in the soil while you wait for the test results. Remove branches, stones and other objects on the ground. Do not put your sod over large objects, these names can affect the growth of the sod. Furthermore, objects that remain under the turf will cause a bumpy and uneven result.
3. Kill unwanted weeds and grass with herbicide. Controlling weeds is easier if done before the sod is laid. Look for a non-selective herbicide, such as glyphosate. Follow the directions that come with the herbicide and apply it a month before you start laying the sod.
   • You may need to do multiple treatments, with 2-4 weeks apart, depending on which herbicide you use.

Part 2 of 3: Leveling the Earth

1. Smooth out any mounds and higher parts of the earth. Take an iron rake or shovel and break the higher points in the earth. Then spread the broken up earth over the area so that the height is equal to the rest of the earth.
2. Fill in any holes in the soil. Potholes affect the appearance of the turf and can also lead to water build-up, which can kill the new grass. Use the rake to push soil into the holes so that they are level with the rest of the soil.
3. Slope the soil off nearby buildings. That way, water will run off the building instead of pooling around it. If you're only working a small area, use tools such as a shovel and rake to create a ramp. If it is a large area, you may need to rent a tractor with a dozer blade. Make a slope in such a way that it is 12-120 cm per 30 meters of soil.

Part 3 of 3: Working and smoothing the earth

1. Add a top layer of soil of 15 cm to the existing soil. A top layer will make the soil healthier, which will help the sod to grow. Any kind of regular soil is good. If you cannot get top soil, you can also use manure or compost.
2. Add fertilizer when the test results are available. The soil test will tell you which nutrients are missing from the soil and the results will include recommendations for the amount and type of fertilizer to use. Buy fertilizer that matches the recommendations in the test results and apply it to the top soil layer you have placed.
3. Use a rotating tiller to work the top 10 cm of the soil. Working the soil will help mix the top soil and fertilizer you've applied. It will further loosen the soil, making it easier for the turf to root. Work the entire surface of the earth 1-2 times with the rotary tiller. Avoid tilling the soil more often, as this could damage the structure of the soil.
   • If you don't have a rotating tiller, see if you can rent one nearby for a day.
4. Level the soil well with a heavy mat. Leveling the soil is the process of tamping and smoothing the soil before laying the sod. Take a heavy mat and pull it over the surface of the soil several times until it is smooth. If you are working a large area it may be easier to use a lawn roller.
   • Do not tamp the soil too much, otherwise the turf will not take root properly. The top 1.5 cm of soil should be loose enough to leave footprints 1.5 cm deep when you walk over it.
5. Water the soil before laying the sod. Do not put the turf on dry soil, otherwise they will not take root properly. The soil should be moist, but not soaked. If you water the soil and mud forms, let it dry a bit before laying the sod.

Necessities

• Plastic bucket
• Herbicide
• Rake
• Scoop
• Cultivation soil
• Fertilizer
• Rotary tiller
• Heavy mat