How should the soil be prepared for sod?
For best results, 4 to 6 inches of topsoil should be used. • Have your soil tested for fertilizer and lime requirements. Your county agriculture agent has soil testing. • Begin by loosening the soil with a power rototiller, garden tractor, or by hand-spading. Care should be taken to avoid turning up subsoil and burying good topsoil. Before final grading, the soil could be settled with water; this may insure a more even grade and eliminate uneven settling. The final preparation and leveling works best done by hand with a heavy hoe or rake to break up any clods. Fill in any low spots. For best results, shortly before the final grading is completed, apply 100 lbs. pulverized limestone per 1000 sq. ft. and an inorganic complete fertilizer such as 8-24-10 at the rate of 30 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. This is raked into the soil to a depth of 2″ with the final raking the sod roots will go as deep as the fertilizer is.
