Prep for sod

[RigglePLC]

The underlying turf was not poor--just a bit thin due to shade.

[Duekster]

Originally Posted by RigglePLC

The underlying turf was not poor--just a bit thin due to shade.

Did you put in a shade tolerant type in it's place?

[Snyder's Lawn Inc]

Originally Posted by RigglePLC

Roots not tacking down not even in the bare soil area...but I don't want to rip up all the sod to see, as then it has to start over. It may be a problem as the area is in shade--sod may be weak as a result of insufficient sunlight. 100 degree temps yesterday probably didn't help. Sod still looks fairly good. Mowed once.

Shade isnt the problem did you add any fert to the spade soil or a slow release to top of the sod
The area I did was all shade and like I said you couldnt pull it up in 2 weeks thinking its been 3.5 weeks since laid it I mowed it 3 times all 3 times I cut 3inches off it
Section thats out in the Sun all day and only mowed it once but I didcut about 4-5 inchesoff of it
All sod areas has spinkler system

[mjlcare2]

Originally Posted by Snyder's Lawn Inc

I dont know what to predict for you
I see you never laid sod before
To do it right is spray round up and wait 8-10 days then scalpe the lawn
Then till it upBest way is just chunk out the sod and haul it off
Then re till the sod free ground grade it and just before laying sod get a heavy roller and roll the soil
Lay the sod Soak it then roll it again
My last job I did it took root within 2 weeks you couldnt pull it up
After laying I like use slow release fert with Iron and pre treat for fungus

incorrect.. the correct way would be to use a sod cutter and cut out the old sod..that way your not tilling your weed seeds/ problem grass back down into the soil..

[RigglePLC]

Finally, the new sod is tacking down. Mowed about 4 times. Irrigated, but temps were hot. The part laid on top of healthy grass looks fine. The part laid on top of tilled soil--looks fine. The part laid on top of Razorburn-treated grass looks almost fine. It is now almost level--three areas about even. Fertilized overall about 4 weeks ago. 50 percent slow release.
Slightly weak, probably due to partial shade.

[Snyder's Lawn Inc]

Originally Posted by mjlcare2

incorrect.. the correct way would be to use a sod cutter and cut out the old sod..that way your not tilling your weed seeds/ problem grass back down into the soil..

but that will lower soil grade and you need more soil and you have higher cost adding soil and alot of labor cutting old sod and removing it
I have done it that way in small very small lawns

[Smallaxe]

Actually it is a success to keep that sod alive during this intense heat of the season, this year... that bit of shade may have been helpful... one problem with getting sod through the heat is that the additional water tends to get every weed seed to germinate as ant pre-m is quickly washed away...
How does the sod look in terms of weeds sprouting???

[mjlcare2]

Originally Posted by Snyder's Lawn Inc

but that will lower soil grade and you need more soil and you have higher cost adding soil and alot of labor cutting old sod and removing it
I have done it that way in small very small lawns

Why do you need more soil.. if you know what you are doing you can cut out the same amount of dirt as what comes with the new sod, unless you have found dirt-less new sod, it comes with about an inch of soil.. labor costs would probably be less.. You can cut sod out as fast as you can push mow a lawn. removal.. use the proper tools and its a piece of cake.. I'm in Florida and everything is different in here so maybe tilling works for you.. won't cut it here.

[RigglePLC]

No weeds in new sod...but... area was almost weed free when I started. I love to spray weeds--so seldom have any in my own small yard.