Maybe you just got lucky: your neighbor is putting in some new garden beds and digging up some grass to make room — do you want it?
Or maybe you’re really tired of seeding that pesky bare spot, and you just want to transplant in a patch of new sod.
How do you move grass from one area to another?
If you want it to thrive, it takes some preparation.
Follow these tips for transplanting sod in Central Florida:
How to Transplant Sod: The Steps
1. Measure the area that will get the new grass.
2. You’ll need about a third more sod than that amount. Be sure it’s the same variety of grass.
3. If there’s dead grass there, remove it. You don’t want an oddly shaped patch, so cut around the dead area in a neat square. The patch should extend two inches or so beyond the edges of the bare spot into the healthy grass area.
4. Loosen up the soil in your patch area. You want the soil nice and loose when you transplant grass so that the roots in your sod patch can quickly grow down into the soil.
5. Remove some soil if you need to, leaving enough space so your new sod will be level with your existing lawn. This is important: make sure the new sod sits flush with existing grass and there isn’t an uneven "ledge.”
6. Cut the sod to fit the new area, making sure the edges fit very closely together.
7. Water well, and keep the sod moist for at least two weeks afterward.
A few things to keep in mind along the way as you transplant grass:
1. Be Quick About It
When you move grass from one area to another, make sure you’ve completely prepared the area before you get the new piece or pieces of sod. There’s absolutely a time limit here.
Technically, cut sod will last about 36 hours in the summer in Central Florida and about 72 hours in the winter.
But the sooner the better, so it doesn’t dry out. The same day is best.
2. Rough Up the Ground
The roots from your transplanted grass need to make contact with dirt, so use a rototiller or similar tool to expose the soil beneath.
3. Dig Deep Enough When You Transplant Grass
Be sure you remove not just the grass, but also a few inches of the attached soil and roots so it can make a healthy transition to your yard.
4. Don’t Overlap the Pieces of Sod
It’s tempting to do this when you transplant grass, to make sure there aren’t any gaps between your new and old grass. But you’ll end up with an uneven, lumpy lawn.
Line the seams up just right, with no overlap and no space in between.
5. Don’t Transplant Sod Over Existing Grass
It’s a tempting shortcut, but you’re taking a big risk. Your transplanted grass might not take root.
Your transplanted sod needs to establish its roots in the soil, to take advantage of the water and nutrients there.
Leaving a layer of grass underneath your new sod prevents it from taking root and increases the chance that the new lawn will die from lack of nutrients and moisture.
6. Water Wisely When You Transplant Grass
When you move grass from one area to another, it’s thirsty. Too little water is bad. So is too much water. Keep it evenly moist for at least two weeks.
Water too little, and your transplanted sod will wilt and die. Roots dry out quickly and gaps can appear if the sod loses moisture after installation, causing the pieces to shrink.
But overwatering is actually worse than underwatering. Overwatering can cause root rot in your transplanted grass. Don’t let it get that far. If you’ve been watering a lot, back off a bit and give your sod a chance to recover from being soggy.
7. Keep an Eye on Your Transplanted Grass
When you move grass from one area to another, the transplanted grass should start taking root in five to 15 days in the summer in Central Florida and 20 to 30 days in the winter.
How to Transplant Sod in Central Florida? Trust Ground Source
Or make it easy on yourself and leave it to the pros.
Transplanting grass can be tricky, whether you’re trying to lay sod next to existing grass, puzzling over what type of sod is best for your property, or worried about the health and quality of your new sod lawn.
We’re happy to deliver our high-quality sod to you for your DIY lawn project. Or, spend your weekend relaxing instead of lugging around heavy rolls of sod.
Let the pros at Ground Source handle the delivery and installation for you, whether you need an entire sod lawn, a partial lawn, or just a few patches.
We’re 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.
