Ground Preparation and Grading

Ground Prepartion prior to Sod Installation
Before you have your sod delivered, or pick it up at the farm, it is important that the ground preparation is completed. This will insure that you can immediately install the sod once it arrives. Quick installation will insure great results and a healthy lawn for years to come.

Note: When working with pallets of Sod, never cover them directly with a tarp, keep them in a shaded area, and spray them periodically with a garden hose to keep them wet. Sun, heat and wind can dry out the newly delivered Sod.

Initial Ground Prepartion & Installation
Spray weeds with RoundUp® or a glyphosate product, and let sit 1 week. Repeat if necessary Remove existing weeds, rock and debris from the area Spread three cubic yards per thousand square feet of surface with compost Roto-till the compost to a minimum of four inches deep Rake the installation site until it is smooth and level. Smooth out the grade on any hills or slopes to be sodded.

Grade areas next to driveways and sidewalks to 1.5 inches below top of concrete. Use a roller, wheel pack, or water to firm up & compact the freshly tilled ground. Rolling the yard is not necessary but can help the sod to contact the soil. It can smooth out minor imperfections, and can be repeated a week or two later to creat ultra smooth sod areas.

Rainfall and snow also will settle the tilled ground naturally. Good soil preparation can help you use up to 30% less water on your yard. Have all hoses & sprinklers on site & ready for the initial watering. Check to make sure all underground sprinkler systems are operational.

Set your sprinkler clock timer for the initial watering sequence: see watering tips on the FAQ's page. Install the Sod immediately upon arrival. Lay the Sod in a horizontal brick pattern as illustrated below:

Lay the ends and sides of the Sod rolls tightly together, with no overlapping.
Install the Sod around obstacles or small places by cutting it with a Sod knife.
After you have laid an area that is about 10 by 15 feet, water immediately.
Continue laying and watering in segments that are about 10 by 15 feet.
Once all the Sod is installed, water immediately for 20 - 30 minutes
Make sure that traffic on the Sod in minimal for a two week period
Follow the watering instructions as outlined in watering tips on the FAQ's page.

Measuring Sq. Ft.

Measuring For Sod

How to determine the measurement for sod in square feet (sq.ft.)
Measuring the amount of Sod you will need is really quite easy using the guidelines that we have provided below. These methods will give you the total amount needed in square feet. All of our sod is sold by the square foot (sq.ft.) so this will allow you to order just the right amount.

Step One:
On a piece of paper, draw a rough sketch of the areas to be sodded. Measure the areas and simply write down your measurements on the drawing. You can then break up the areas into the shapes below and figure out the square footage of each area. Then simply add up the measurements from the different shapes, and you will have the grand total of Sod that you will need.

*Note: Please remember that we can't take back sod once it has left our farm or been delivered to you. In the event that you do run out, we always have more Sod. This guide will help you measure and order accurately. Please check your numbers twice. Kremer's Turf can not take responsibility for footage figures unless we measure it ourselves. If you need help determining measurements on an unusually shaped or especilly large project, let us know.

Square or Rectangle

This is the easiest shape to measure.

Simply measure the Length & Width in square feet and multiply, as in the example below.

Length (24) x Width (12)
12 x 24 = 288 sq.ft. = 288 square feet is the Total Area to be Sodded

Right Triangle Shape
A Right Triangle shape has one 90º corner. To determine the amount of Sod needed, multiply the two sides that contact the right angle and then divide by 2, as in the example below.

Length (24) x Width (12)
12 x 24 = 288 sq.ft. divided by 2 = 144 sq.ft. is the Total Area to be Sodded

Circle Shape
To measure the area of a circle, first measure the radius of the circle (the radius is the distance from the center of the circle to the outside edge). Then multiply the radius times the radius, and then multiply that number by 3.14, as in the example below.

(Radius x Radius) x 3.14 = Area
6 x 6 = 36 x 3.14 = 113 sq.ft. is the Total Area to be Sodded

Irregular or Unusual Area Shapes
The measurement for irregular areas is simple to determine using a combination of the methods already described. Firstly, break the total space into smaller shapes, as illustrated below. Then determine the square footage of each of the smaller shapes. In the example below, the circle is cut in half, there's a rectangle, and a triangle. Finally, add up all of the smaller areas for a grand total in sq.ft. (The sq.ft. for the circle is divided in 2 in the example below).

288 + 144 + 56.5 = 488.5 sq.ft. is the Total Area to be Sodded

Dry Colorado Winter? Tips for Winter Lawn care.....

Ok, so we've had a particularly dry winter so far in Colorado.  What does that mean for homeowners and businesses with turf sod lawns on their properties? Well,
if you want an impressive looking, healthy & green lawn this summer it is important to provide some care for your lawn during the winter months.  Firstly, if we continue to see dry  months with very little snow and moisture, take a garden hose and spray down your lawn on occasion.  Also, try to avoid using sodium based ice melters near your lawn and other plants; it is toxic to them.  Use sand or calcium chloride instead.  And if you haven't yet installed your lawn yet but are planning to in the spring, contact Mark at Kremer's Turf Farm for tips and to get an idea of the cost based on your projected square footage.  Mark can be reached at 303-659-1982, Monday - Friday.