Turning your lawn into a lush, green carpet is possible by laying sod. But what if you do not have a sod roller? Even without a roller, you can achieve a smooth grass surface for the lawn. Here’s a guide to help you get started.
Why Roll Sod Anyway?
Why would you want to roll sod? Sod rollers offer pressure and press the sod roots firmly into the soil. This enables a decent flow of water and nutrients. Rolling also takes care of air pockets, which are a cause behind sod drying and death. By skipping the step, you risk uneven growth.
Necessary Preparations before Laying Sod
Groundwork before rolling the sod is important. The soil must be well prepared.
- Level the Ground – Use a garden hoe or rake to create an even surface. Get rid of old grass clumps, debris, rocks as clumpy soil affects sod’s link to the ground.
- Water the Soil – Make the soil moist before you place the sod but do not go overboard. Excess water leads to mud formation.
- Fertilize First – A starter fertilizer would be good for sod growth, preferably a phosphorus-enriched one.
The Best Ways for Rolling Sod Sans a Roller
01. Using Your Feet
This is a basic and low-cost method. You just walk across the sod. Put some boards or planks on top and then walk over them. This will press the sod to the ground.
- Wear flat shoes and avoid spiky shoes that can damage the sod.
- Walk slowly so that the sod gets pressed evenly.
02. Buckets or Containers
Use containers with water, rocks and sand, such as buckets, water jugs. Roll them over the sod.
- Using buckets with a handle will enable you to control the motion. Tip the bucket a little.
03. DIY Roller Substitute
By using a large PVC pipe or log, you can achieve the desired effect. Fill the PVC pipe with sand. Then, you can roll it over the sod.
- To prevent sod damage, wrap the pipe with cloth.
- Push, in a consistent manner.
04. Tamp It Down
A hand tamper¸ those used for compacting soil, will be handy. Move it using overlapping motions over the sod.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t avoid Watering – Keep the soil moist for about 2 weeks for root growth.
- Overlapping Sods – Keep the sod strips tightly together and avoid overlapping, to avoid an uneven growth.
- Skipping Air Pocket Checking – After laying the sod, you should lift parts to look for bubbles and gaps.
Why This Works
Sod rollers are useful but you can also make do with these substitutes, using your creativity. The focus should be on getting good contact between sod roots and soil.
