I was wondering if anyone has ever laid sod over existing grass without using a sod cutter, nor tilling. If so, how well did the new sod do during the season? What experiences or opinions does everyone have on this issue. Thanks! :usflag:
Laying sod over existing lawn.
JohnnyRocker
1 - 20 of 29 Posts
Joined
·
738 Posts
I was wondering if anyone has ever laid sod over existing grass without using a sod cutter, nor tilling. If so, how well did the new sod do during the season? What experiences or opinions does everyone have on this issue. Thanks! :usflag:
they did this a lot in florida. kill the old and drop new on top. the only problem is when you get to sidewalks, curbs, ect the new sod is now higher than the curb line, which look chitty, plus it would also play havoc with sprinklers.
don't cut corners...do it right the first time and you wont have to worry about getting any call backs...
don't cut corners...do it right the first time and you wont have to worry about getting any call backs...
Joined
·
9,797 Posts
bad idea, do some prep work first, the roots have to have something to take into or it will fail fast not to mention the soil interface would be non existent
Joined
·
738 Posts
If I use a sod cutter, is it necessary to till also?
I would use sod cutter and then a hard tine rake to scarify the soil (rough it up a bit) and drop a bit of milorganite down before laying any sod.
if the soil is very highly compacted, then tilling may be needed...
another option would be to run a mantis tiller over the cut areas to scratch up the surface some..
if the soil is very highly compacted, then tilling may be needed...
another option would be to run a mantis tiller over the cut areas to scratch up the surface some..
Joined
·
150 Posts
I had to do this on a yard back in May. The owner only wanted the front done but he ordered twice what he needed. The owner had the front prepped and we had to cover part of his back yard. It did great this summer.
Joined
·
826 Posts
I know someone that works for Brickman and they said that they put sod down over already existing turf after they scalped the old turf. I guess it worked for them but personally I wouldent do it. I would rather till it all up and then put the sod down.
Joined
·
446 Posts
I've put centipede and bermuda done on top of other grass and it did fine and still does. I don't do this as a rule though.
Joined
·
1,269 Posts
I agree 100% with MarcSmith, it could end up costing you big time if you lay over existing grass so save yourself alot of troube and do it the rite way.
Joined
·
861 Posts
go in with a tiller, till everything up real good, then you may be able to lay on top of that, but I would never lay it down wight on existing turf, you have to till it first then see what your left with
Joined
·
738 Posts
Well, if you had to rent one machine or the other to prep old turf for new sod, would you get a tiller, or a sod cutter?
Joined
·
1,269 Posts
If you can only get one get a tiller and then you can rake out the clumps of grass.
Joined
·
738 Posts
Would you bother killing the existing, if you are going to til it into the ground?
Joined
·
1,269 Posts
Yes it will til up alot easier and les clumps to rake up.
Joined
·
3,632 Posts
Last summer a friend of mine had a customer put sod over existing turf (about a 50% stand) in their back yard. No prep work whatsoever. None of it rooted in at all, even walking on it, it would slide around, months afterward. A lot of it eventually died, and by that point what was underneath it also died. Not sure if anything has been done since then to fix it.
If it's a small area, just use a flat shovel to scrape off whats there, and level up the area. Then throw your sod down.
If it's a small area, just use a flat shovel to scrape off whats there, and level up the area. Then throw your sod down.
Rent a sod cutter and get rid of the old then lay down the new, it would be smart to put an 1/8 inch of compost down first, you will almost be guaranteed a succesful job
If you lay on top of the existing and it fails later you will lose money, not smart
short cuts often cost more money than they are worth
If you lay on top of the existing and it fails later you will lose money, not smart
short cuts often cost more money than they are worth
Joined
·
6,360 Posts
Haha, I was just going to post that... saved me some typing.
No, they haven't done anything, and they also quit cleaning up the dog crap. I hate that backyard. 1/2 mud and 1/2 crap.
Joined
·
257 Posts
another problem that i am suprised nobody else has said-and speaking from experience. if you put sod over existing lawn, if there are any weeds or other type of grass underneath the sod it will grow thru all of your joints. now several times i have cut the existing lawn down as low as i can get it(small yard)basically to the ground with a weed eater or old mower and put sod on top of that with no problems but i could have just been luck also. save your self the hassle-do it right the first time
1 - 20 of 29 Posts
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
-
?
