Preparing the Soil

• 1). Till soil 4 to 6 inches deep. This helps establish a solid root zone for the future lawn.
  
  
• 2). Add loamy topsoil to rough grade soil if needed. This ensures the lawn will have sufficient soil for growing.
  
  
• 3). Spread starter fertilizer to the soil to promote future root growth.
  
  

Seeding a Lawn

• 1). Apply grass seed using a drop spreader. This spreader allows for a uniform spreading of the seed.
  
  
• 2). Rake the seed lightly into the soil.
  
  
• 3). Irrigate the new seed two to four times a day. The top 2 inches of the soil should be moist after watering.
  
  
• 4). Add mulch to new seedbeds to help conserve water and prevent the soil from eroding during wind or rain storms.
  
  

Laying Sod

• 1). Moisten the soil lightly with water.
  
  
• 2). Lay the sod pieces in a staggered brick-like pattern. Ensure all edges touch another piece of sod.
  
  
• 3). Roll over the sod with a heavy construction-style manual roller. This helps the sod base to be flat on top of the soil.
  
  
• 4). Irrigate the sod lawn immediately after installation. Continue to water once a day for up to two weeks.
  
  
• 5). Pull on the sod after 7 to 10 days. You should be unable to lift the sod off the soil, which indicates new root growth.