Sod install over existing lawn

Yes it can be done! I researched this topic quite a bit and found a few answers on here but that is about it.

History. Last October I seeded my bare front yard with Rye and lots of top soil. When the summer rolled around I needed a summer grass seed. My HOA requires all lawns be Midiron but since Midiron does not produce viable seeds the only choice is sod. Well I'm stubborn and tried to seed with Blackjack bermuda. It was not the color I hoped and was not a lush or fine bladed as I hoped. Also the blackjack WILL seed and spread over time to the neighbors lawns.

Almost everything I had read said that the existing lawn had to be tilled up or that round up had to be sprayed then watered out. A few people here posted replies mentioning that it is possible to place sod on top of exisiting grass so here is my attempt.

First I set my lawn mower to its lowest level, removed the bag and chopped the lawn down. Next I used my trusty Grasshog weedeater to take the remaining grass down to basically dirt level. I left all the clippings on the lawn and swept the stuff on the sidewalk onto the lawn. I then threw down 9 bags of topsoil (lawn is 760sqft) and raked it smooth. I mowed my backyard and took those clipping and put them in the front as well.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a380/d10shun/g4.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a380/d10shun/g3.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a380/d10shun/g1.jpg
I used some of the topsoil and grass to level out my yard. That was one of the things that bothered me about the old lawn. Once I had the soil in place I rolled the yard with a garden roller from Home Depot ($16/day)



This message was edited Aug 1, 2007 9:52 AM

This message was edited Aug 1, 2007 9:59 AM

(Why wont this forum accept IMG code? Anyone know?)

Here is the Midiron sod installed. To further help the leveling of the yard I placed upside down pieces of cut sod in the low areas. I did this after I had laid down all of the sod. Take your time with this. I also watered the newly laid sod every 10-15min lightly with a hose.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a380/d10shun/DSC04029.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a380/d10shun/DSC04031.jpg
Once sod is laid you will notice gaps between some of the pieces. Since there is still viable grass down there I covered the gaps with more topsoil. This will also help to keep the sod pieces moist around the edges. The black topsoil can be seen in the pics above.

Watering schedule for the first 2 weeks. Time: 8am 10, 2,5. Duration: 4-6min. After two weeks I went with 10am 8-9min.

Finished product. Notice it is greener than the neighbors. This is before the first mowing.
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a380/d10shun/DSC04043.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a380/d10shun/DSC04044.jpg

Ben

This message was edited Aug 1, 2007 10:02 AM

I'm not sure what IMG code is exactly, but if you're trying to post pictures, all you can do is ones that are jpg format, and you can only upload one per post.

okay thanks

Nice job. Give yourself a hand!...and then park your butt in a lawnchair and enoy it.