If you want to have a lush, green yard this year, you should consider laying down sod instead of using grass seed. Here are a few keep tips to keep in mind as you navigate using sod in your yard for the first time. 

#1 Get Your Soil Ready In Advance

The first thing you need to make sure you do is get the soil in your yard ready before you purchase and bring home your sod.

You are going to want to make sure that there are no low areas in your yard where water could pool up; that could cause issues for your down the road. Instead, make sure that your soil is even and set up so that water can travel down your lawn and into your drainage system.

Next, you are going to want to make sure that there are not large sticks or rocks in your soil. Walk around and remove any sticks or rocks that are larger than a couple of inches from your soil; this will help the sod take root easier. 

Finally, make sure that you don't have big clumps of dirt that look more like rocks. Break up any soil clumps or clods and spread them them into the rest of the soil. 

#2 Apply Fertilizer To Your Soil

The second thing you need to do is apply a layer of fertilizer to your soil before you lay down the sod. You are going to want to purchase fertilizer that is labeled as 12-12-12 at your local nursery or home improvement store. Make sure that you follow the instructions on the bag of fertilizer as to how much soil you will need per square foot of your yard.

Once you purchase the fertilizer, pour it onto your soil and blend it into your soil with a rack or with a rototiller; you want the fertilizer to integrate with the top layer of soil in your yard.

When the fertilizer has been mixed with the soil, rake your yard and ensure that the soil and fertilizer are flat and ready for the sod. 

#3 Keep Your Sod Straight & Tight

After you have purchased your sod and brought it home, you will need to lay it out. Start on an edge of your lawn, and make sure that the first line of sod that you lay is straight. This first row of sod will serve as a guide for the rest of your sod.

Once you have laid down the first layer, place the next roll right next to it. Roll it out and then push it into place so that it is right next to the previous row that you laid down. You don't want to overlap the layers of sod, but you also don't want to leave gaps. 

As you put down the sod, you may want to start watering the sod in sections. You should water deeply. That means you want to water so that the water soaks through the sod down to the roots. This will help the sod take root and thrive.

For additional info, contact a sod supplier in your area.