Only ever put sod down over existing turf along the edges when the old wasn't worth the trouble of digging out to make it fit square. It seemsed ok, but I wouldn't risk larger areas on that.

 

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...

 

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

 

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..

 

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.

 

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.

 

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.

 

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..

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.

 

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

 

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?

 

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?

If you can only get one get a tiller and then you can rake out the clumps of grass.

 

Would you bother killing the existing, if you are going to til it into the ground?

 

Would you bother killing the existing, if you are going to til it into the ground?

Yes it will til up alot easier and les clumps to rake up.

 

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.

 

All plants grow better in loose aerated soils.

 

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

 

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.

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.

 

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

 

so if the old sod is just tilled, won't that grow through the new seems also?

 

What type of sod?

 

Fescue.:weightlifter:

 

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...

This does happen down here by some folks. Not everyone down here does this but I have noticed most of the hispanics do it this way. Yes it plays havoc with the sprinklers if the heads are not tall enough but it does not appear to be a issue with most of the jobs I have seen. And actually the raised turf next to the curb lines appear attractive to me with the type of edging we do down here, makes it look more like little carpet pads.

However in general yes it is better to go through and till and add soil or other admin to the top soil before laying.

 

I have seen it done here in Colorado, with limited success, and in Washington State (upper Pac. NW) with decent results. I would never do it myself, I hate doing the job over out of my own pocket. I have done small repairs with the scape it of method and been fine. If it is really dead rake it well, or even do a dethatch on it. Rake well, add compost, walk away with a happy customer & money in your pocket

 

Have done this before - scalp old off, core plug then rake in a sandy fill and fertilizer. Then lay new sod over old. Works well with bermuda types, keep an eye out for interlopers resprouting through old, especially nut sedge if you do not have a history of working on this location. Have done it with fescue and rye/fescue mixes, still did well but had more weed control to do in the summer from existing bermuda growing through.