How to Lay Sod in a Backyard | Ask This Old House
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- Опубликовано: 27 янв 2025
- This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook helps a homeowner lay sod in his backyard. (See below for a shopping list, tools, and steps.)
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Shopping List for Laying Sod in a Backyard:
Bluegrass [amzn.to/2EvfDKK] and fescue [amzn.to/2M8JNtO] sod
Sand [amzn.to/2wfdwGG] and compost [amzn.to/2JYSWSO], used to amend the soil
Starter fertilizer [amzn.to/2W82pPi] and lime [amzn.to/30KeM2n], used to feed the soil
Landscape fabric [amzn.to/2weEXAr] and wood chips [amzn.to/2Evzj1b], for covering the play area
Tools List for Laying Sod in a Backyard:
Shovel [amzn.to/2M9IGdn]
Wheelbarrow [amzn.to/2YMcDBu]
Garden rake [amzn.to/2M7znue]
Sod cutter [amzn.to/30JkMs7], used to remove old lawn
Large rotary tiller [amzn.to/2VMZ3fp] and mini tiller [amzn.to/2Evzf1n], for loosening the topsoil
Utility knife [amzn.to/2X2eKk5], used to cut sod strips to length
Walk-behind drop spreader, [amzn.to/2WrqwYg] for dispersing fertilizer and lime
Steps for Laying Sod in a Backyard:
1. Use a soil probe to check the depth and texture of the topsoil.[BR]
2. Next, remove all the existing grass with a gas-powered sod cutter.[BR]
3. Place the old grass into a wheelbarrow and carry it away.[BR]
4. Loosen the topsoil with a large rotary tiller to a depth of at least 6 inches.[BR]
5. Use a mini-tiller to loosen the soil alongside fences, foundations, and other areas not accessible to the large rotary tiller.[BR]
6. Cover the entire tilled area to 2 inches deep with a 50/50 mixture of sand and compost.[BR]
7. Blend the sand and compost into the soil with the rotary tiller.[BR]
8. In the kid's play area, dig down 4 inches and cover the ground with landscape fabric.[BR]
9. Spread about 3 inches of wood chips on top of the landscape fabric.[BR]
10. Add starter fertilizer and lime to a walk-behind drop spreader and apply the mixture to the tilled area.[BR]
11. Rake the entire tilled area perfectly smooth.[BR]
12. Start laying sod, one strip at a time, along the edge of the lawn.[BR]
13. Butt the strips tightly together to produce undetectable joints.[BR]
14. After laying the first row of sod, rake the soil smooth and start the second row.[BR]
15. Use a utility knife to cut in half the first strip of sod for the second row.[BR]
16. Set the half-strip in place, then continue to lay full-length strips of sod to complete the second row. Starting with a half-strip staggers the joints between the rows.[BR]
17. Continue to lay sod, butting the strips tightly together and staggering all end joints.[BR]
18. Once you've laid all the sod, water the lawn three times per day the first week, twice a day the second week, once a day the third week, and then resume a normal watering schedule.
About Ask This Old House TV:
Homeowners have a virtual truckload of questions for us on smaller projects, and we're ready to answer. Ask This Old House solves the steady stream of home improvement problems faced by our viewers-and we make house calls! Ask This Old House features some familiar faces from This Old House, including Kevin O'Connor, general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, and landscape contractor Roger Cook.
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How to Lay Sod in a Backyard | Ask This Old House
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![BLACK BAG - Official Trailer [HD] - Only in Theaters March 14](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Du0Xp8WX_7I/mqdefault.jpg)
RIP Roger Cook, a great landscaper and a great teacher!
RIP TO THE LEGEND AND THE REASON WHY IM INTO LANDSCAPING
This is the type of video you watch at 3am when you have to be at work at 6am
Iran Cruz guilty bro😂😂
Same my dude
me rn
@@random13627 6
This 7PM 9u8 w6o8.
its 4.25 for me :D
This was EXACTLY the video I've been trying to find for weeks! Finally just pops up in my feed while I'm having my morning coffee. Great video! 👍👍👊
Me too man. Me too.
Roger is the original from TOH. Great teacher.
This video is so satisfying to watch. I would probably pass out after ripping out a quarter of that lawn. Just looking at those two guys do this makes me tired. This is the type of work where you open a bottle of Makers Mark afterwards.
G C I suggest watch a 13 part series called _What on earth happened_ by Ewaranon to learn that the earth is not a globe. Link in my about tab.
Landscaping is such hard work, but the end result is always nice. Good job👌🏻
I only watch it half way, I was exhausted of all that work. I say hell with it, dandelions are pretty. 🤣🤣🤣
Margie I suggest watch a 13 part series called _What on earth happened_ by Ewaranon to learn that the earth is not a globe. Link in my about tab.
@@flat-earther😂lol
12.18 pm thank you mr Roger I miss you're videos I hope you doing well
I've never seen anyone take this level of care to lay sod
Anyone who is good at what they do will do this. I take it a step further.
@@robinrobine8100no you don’t
@@edwardallen2696Grow up
Middle-parted hair, like Mr. Cook's, is the best!!
I like to remove the old lawn grass with a flame thrower.
It adds carbon to the soil.
Geloradanan R'lyeh lol your kidding right
@C Gonzalez: Yes, of course. I was just trying make someone laugh a little. But having a flame thrower would be so cool, caro mio, and very useful in a zombie attack!
Geloradanan R'lyeh funny
But actually ashes would make up for the lime since it has a high ph
There you go! See, I was on to something with the flame thrower idea. Maybe it it will catch on in the industry, if they don't burn down your house in the process.
Geloradanan R'lyeh lol exactly
WOW THAT IS SOME BEAUTIFUL SOD
He said "this is fresh sod, cut yesterday and delivered to us this morning". Fresh cut sod still has black dirt on it, but this dirt is brown and looks to be bone dry. Maybe sod is different in the area where this was filmed? And it's very light weight. The sod I've handled is heavy. 3 rolls per wheel barrow max.
Someone else did all of the work. "a few hours ago", they're not sweaty and they have no dirt on them.
20 Mexicans just out of camera view...
@@williamskrainski8407 Big facts.
Who else is disappointed you didn't get to see the grass get watered?🤷♂️ 😂
Save PewDiePie what are you doing here?
Wish this type of roll out sod was available in south florida..
"Can't believe just a few hours ago... " 9:22 Yeah, right!
Rest in peace.. Roger 🙏
Thank you. My turn next week. Although I live in California I won't have this much lawn as my wife and I decided to go with decomposed granite low water backyard. However I still like a little bit a lot lawn.
You guys make everything so easy
Trust me. There was a WHOLE lot more help behind the scenes for this to come to fruition!
"When you want tuh put saad in the yahd!"
😅🤣😂
in Amity ya say yaaahd =P
If this guy had answered me "read the instructions on the bag" after asking him a question, he would have been fertilizer for newly placed sod.
Yes, I thought that was so rude too.
mrtrek64
The point of this show is to show people how to do projects by themselves without the help of a professional so saying read the instructions isn’t rude it’s showing all you gotta do is read the bag
He didn't say it with any malice.
@@MikeM-pk6zq I was most likely in a bad mood when I wrote that lol.
@@mrtrek64 Forgiven.
Its 11 30 PM. I have to wake up at 6. I live in an apartment building and am watching this instead of sleeping
Amazing work! Thank you!
Watching this video and looking out my window onto my disgraced front lawn. Makes me want to do something about it.....my kids are 3 and 5. I'll wait about two more seasons.
Just watching this sent me to the chiropractor for 12 months.
Pfft.
This lawn will NEVER fully appreciate the love, care and attention to detail Roger put into it.
I certainly hope he doesn't expect a "Thank You"..
I love his accent, 'staata fertilisa'. Love it.
i am going to check on my twap soil as well before I down the sawd.
😂😂😂
Oh my gash I died!
you need to see a video when he goes to texas.
Anil Pillai I can't find staatah fertilizer can I use starter fertilized
Notice how he makes the guy in the red to do hard manual work while he pretends to do something in the frame
The guy in the red is the homeowner so
Racing Craves so he shouldn't be doing all the work if he paid someone to do it
But I do feel like this is staged
Don't think he is a real customer
Definitely not a paying one
the eliminator king I was going to say that lol
@@Xighor they are real home owners. The channel used to put the amount they charged the homeowner but they got backlash for overcharging while making the homeowner do manual labor.
You thought you caught something there these people go to the house and get enough to show the viewer how to do it and the home owner does the rest it’s not a service it’s a trade he knows how to do it right and they get content
Why am I watching this I barely even go outside
I can tell look at your name
u dam vampire
This guy is amazing good work
Adil I suggest watch a 13 part series called _What on earth happened_ by Ewaranon to learn that the earth is not a globe. Link in my about tab.
Excellent, your video was very well done with you covered everything you need to know from start to finish with percission and right to the point not boring or hard to follow (region and soil types are not the same everywhere which I know not to put sand in clay soil)
this dude knows his sod!
Pulling back on that mini tiller is a good way to lose your shins 😂😂😂😂😂
Wa Farms that’s what you are supposed to do with it
Mini tillers are made to go backwards.
I just like watching them do things they do
I live in an apartment so how did I even get here
Justin Aaberg I live under a bridge. How did I get here?
Justin Aaberg u clicked on it
😂😂😂😂
Justin Aaberg u clicked on it that how
your DNA or inner psyche wants you to have a house
Almost every joint was noticeable lol
ikr
My neighbor did this once and I noticed every single joint on their front yard
Jeff Skerratt You look nowhere near a certified landscaper I am an Aussie on 580 acres of land in the west but he also has a point you do need to water and take care of the sod because it has just been laid
Loved it. Dude was gonna smack that boy every time he opened his mouth!
1:31 he is like this sum bullshit I want to be using the sod cutter 😂
is sahhhhd similar to sod?
otto skorzeny I love these comments...
otto skorzeny why do people make fun of our new england accents man.
@@itech301 i lahv them too
lol his new york accent
@@packisbetter90 that's definitely Boston, not NY lol
Excellent video as usual
I lad sod a little different with pallets of sod that have small squares that we can just throw down feet from the pallet/wheel barrel and not get on the ground and roll them out 1 by one
If your sod has a mech on it, do you remove the mesh?
Where is your starter fertilizer?
Statah fe'telizah
This video just earned a new subscriber
Great vid thx 👍😎 I was told to get a roller and after laying sod to water soak it 10 minutes and fill roller water and roll over after watering to get it to “glue” together…
I have laid sod twice w/o that step successfully so did I just get lucky or?
Roger, I watch these videos almost strictly for your accent. Plus the helpful info is good too! Put the laborer to work and you take the easier job.. that's a seasoned veteran haha!
I would be terrified of walking on that lawn for like a month lol
Yeah Roger really seems to get pissed off if you mess with his yard work lol
'get your foot off of that ground!!'
I like how this guy works, his techniques, but I think he is to perfectionist. I think that terrain only need the tilling and that is it, adding all that compose mix dirt is just something that it was not needed, sure it will make it better for the sod, but not necessary.
I'm going to do that this weekend, just before a rainy week!
My lawn is super lumpy from dew worms ruining it.
I hope that the sand I mix into the new top soil will keep them away.
Also, I dont think id be able to lift those machines in and out of my truck even if I had another helping me, so it's gonna be up to the good ol shovel to rip up the old sod and till the soil :|
At least my grass area is only 10x20 feet!
Thanks for the video!
mpxz999
Just checking in how's your lawn turn out? I'll be doing this as soon as it stops raining. You know they have ramps what you can rent to get into and out of your truck?
me watching these videos at night next thing i know, “is that’s the sun coming up “
four I suggest watch a 13 part series called _What on earth happened_ by Ewaranon to learn that the earth is not a globe. Link in my about tab.
this is what my garden needs lol that was epic soo enjoyable to watch as well
Excellent video
I loved this video. Can you post a picture of this yard after it started growing, may be a month later.
NB I suggest watch a 13 part series called _What on earth happened_ by Ewaranon to learn that the earth is not a globe. Link in my about tab.
This was fun. To watch
That’s a funny lawnmower
9:44 on how to lay sod? Try this: GREEN SIDE UP!
Running around, going crazy for GRASS. Lol
I love this show 😂
My back got sore watching this. Lol.
Does this work in front yards to?
really good video, great job
great video thank you for the help
7:51 Nice stones in the lawn...
I work maintenance at golf course so my job is to take care of turf we don't normally lay fresh sod we grow from seed but when I was first taught how to lay sod my superintendent said when you prep you rototill first lay 1 inch of topsoil even that rototill again to mix in the fresh soil even that and tamp the soil so you get a footprint indentation and that's all then grade one final time and lay sod like the video shows my boss says the reason you want to tamp the soil is so the fresh turf gets good adhesion to the ground so the roots will take better and he also said to water the hell out of it so it will take and root I have never had a problem with the sod dying
joseph santoro
You are correct about tamping the topsoil LIGHTLY as I have read that elsewhere.
Let me tell ya, ive done a ton of sod in the front yard... but the back yard?! No way! I didnt know u could do that!
Would wetting the soil before laying the sod be helpful?
At 7:50 he leaves a huge rock in the dirt!! Yeah, that's great for the sods roots!!!
"How do you know how much to put down?" "You read the directions on the bag." :o)
Will this work for the front yard also
Why the wood chips?
Should you roll the soil to form it up a bit before laying the sod? I use a roller after laying the sod but I've never used it before laying the sod. Considering it.
Nice work
Thanks
Watering schedule: 3x a day the first week, 2x a day the second week, 1x a day the third week
That’s rally nice
I live in FL and in my front yard I have sand as "dirt" would sod even work with that?
No, grass will not thrive in sand, this is a terrible practice that's gain traction. Actual professionals and scientists agree that sand is not suitable for gardens.
Good job 👏
I would recommend sod pins or staple to hold in sod also u didn't use a sod roller to remove air pockets
Why am I watching this at 3:37 in the morning
does this work in front yards too?
Only if you use front yard sod
This guy's got some serious dad jokes 5:36
The music is unnecessary... but Roger's the best!
Pretty good music!
nice video
I'm gonna take my time, make sure this is absolutely perfect.....*proceeds to walk all over it again*
What’s the best time of year to do this?
"C'mon, folks, let's do it like Charlie wrote it, get our camera shots and get the hell out of here, so I can make it home in time to watch the GAME!"
"And WATCH THAT TILLAH!"
I love Boston!
How soon can you mow or how soon will it be needing to be mowed?
the client doesn't look happy at all
juniorcosta85
Because he had to work his butt off. Those shots of the other guy actually doing the work was for the first three minutes and then a client did all the other work. Lol.
Because he’s paying to be bossed and bullied around by an old guy. “See your big feet”
Jer S LMFAO
lol I don't think he really knew how much work it takes to start a new lawn up. It's harder than you think
Rxonmymind you have to know that this guy pays less when the client help and more when they don’t
What do you do with all the old sod you've removed if you don't want to use it for compost, etc.?
I usually give it to the homeless
very good
Good tips I can use when I place sod in the backyard that I don't have of the home that I don't own 😂
I miss Roger
that looks fun
Wicked wook on the sawd cuttah rahgah!
2:40 damn that tiller has some power
How do you do it in your front yard?