How To Guide
How To Calculate How Much Sod You Need:
Sod is sold by the square foot. Before placing an order, you must determine how many square feet of sod is needed. To calculate square footage, use the basic formula for “area”.
Step #1. Split your yard into easy-to-measure sections.
Step #2. Calculate square footage of each individual section. (see below)
Step #3. Add each section together to get total square footage.
Insert your measurements into the formula below:
Square or Rectangle areas:
Length x Width = Square Footage
Triangle areas:
Base x Height 2 = Square Footage
Pro Tip: Be sure to order a little extra to accommodate angles, cuts, etc
Sod Calculator
Installing Sod Yourself
Begin by laying your sod against a straight line; e.g., sidewalk, road, fence, etc. The sod should be laid in a staggered fashion (like a brick pattern) to offset the seams. Place the ends of the rolls and the edges close together to avoid leaving gaps; be careful not to overlap the sod. Use a sharp knife to trim the edges. Serrated knives work best. When laying sod on a steep incline, use sod staples to ensure the sod stays in place. It is important to install sod within a day or two of delivery to prevent drying and/or molding.
Installing Big Rolls
Rocky Mountain Sod offers big rolls for larger areas. Big rolls are 4’ x 100’ rolls of sod that are installed using machines. They can save a lot of time in big open areas that have few obstacles. Big rolls cost an additional $.03 per square foot on top of the cost of palletized sod. This additional cost covers the rental of the installation machine, sod rakes, tutorial on how to run the machine, and properly lay the sod.
A few things to know when doing big rolls:
- We will deliver the installation machine at the time we deliver the sod; however, you are responsible to return it. The machine needs to be returned to Rocky Mountain Sod in a timely matter unless other arrangements are made.
- The machine needs to be returned full of gas.
- The sod rakes need to be returned with the machine.
- Big rolls need to be laid within a day or two of delivery to prevent the sod from drying and/or molding.
- We recommend ordering several small rolls, to patch in little and hard to reach areas with the machine.
Watering New Sod
Immediately after installation, be sure to get water on your new sod. After the initial watering, begin a routine of watering very frequently, for short durations, multiple times a day (2-4 times depending on current weather conditions). The new sod needs to stay wet while it is beginning to establish its’ root system. Over the course of the first month, slowly reduce watering frequency as you increase watering duration. As roots establish, they will begin to pull the moisture from deep in the ground. Watering requirements vary depending on the season and current weather conditions. Keeping an eye on your sod will be the best gauge for watering. If it appears dry, increase watering. If it appears swamp-like, decrease watering.
Caution: During the first few weeks of watering, try to avoid walking or placing heavy objects on the new sod. This helps to maintain a high-quality product.
Fertilizing Your New Lawn
It is best to fertilize immediately, pre- or post-sod installation, to stimulate root growth. To maintain a deep green and healthy lawn you must fertilize often. There are many good fertilizer options. Choose a fertilizer you prefer and follow frequency recommendations listed on the packaging. We typically recommend about 4 times a year. Rocky Mountain Sod sells a blend of fertilizer. This fertilizer can be purchased with your order and it will be delivered with your sod.