How to Get Rid of Weeds Before Laying Sod: 5 Important Steps

It’s easy to be in a hurry when it comes to new sod.

You can’t wait to walk on it barefoot and invite your friends over for mango margaritas to show it off.

But if you don’t remove weeds before laying sod, don’t even bother kicking off your sandals or firing up that blender.

What’s the big deal? Let’s take a look.

Killing Weeds Before Laying Sod: Why Does It Matter?

If you don’t remove weeds and your current turf before laying new sod, the old grass and weeds will creep back in and infiltrate your pristine new Orlando, FL lawn. It’s a crucial step.While it’s not possible to prevent every future weed, the right steps here go a long way.

What’s the Best Way to Get Rid of Weeds Before Laying Sod?

This isn’t about zapping a dandelion here or there. You need to start with a clean expanse of soil, with no weeds or old grass in the way.

That means your goal is kind of like your garage sale at 4 pm on Saturday: Everything Must Go.

1. Killing Weeds Before Laying Sod: Plan Your Timing

Start a couple weeks before your new sod delivery.

2. Choose Your Product

You want a non-selective herbicide, designed to take out everything it touches. The best way to get rid of weeds before laying sod is to use a product containing glyphosate.Apply the herbicide on a windless day, when there’s no rain in the forecast for at least 24 hours following application.

3. Don’t Be in a Hurry

The process can take from one to three applications, depending on what type of weeds are lurking in your lawn. The amount of weeds can be a factor here, too.

4. More Waiting

Ideally, you should wait seven to 10 days after the last application of herbicide before laying new sod. You want to make sure all the weeds are dead and the herbicide has degraded and won’t harm your new Orlando lawn.

5. Remove the Dead Grass and Weeds

Use pitchforks, rakes, or shovels to toss the dead turf and weeds into a dumpster.

How to Get Rid of Weeds Before Laying Sod? Trust Ground Source

If you’re tired just reading about this process, we don’t blame you. It’s kind of a pain.

Do yourself a favor and leave the dirty work to us, from killing the weeds to rolling out your healthy new lawn.

And there’s a bonus: Once we install your new sod lawn, we don’t just say “see ya” and drive away. We give you a detailed sod care guide. You’ll know what times to water, for how long, and even which of your irrigation heads to use for what amount of time.

If you decide the DIY dirt, labor, and stress are too much of a hassle, we’d love to expertly install your fresh, healthy, new sod lawn.

We’re Orlando, FL sod experts, but our skills don’t stop there. We’re with you every step of the way as you plan your perfect outdoor space.

Sod, irrigation, landscape design: Let us transform your yard from an embarrassing eyesore to a place you spend every spare minute.

Are you ready to enjoy the vibrant, impressive yard you've always wanted? Request a quote today! We’ll help you review your options and then transform your property.