Want an amazing lawn? Lay sod! With these easy-to-follow tips, your new lawn will be the talk of the neighborhood in no time.

It has been said millions of times before: success begins with good preparation. Our philosophy for laying sod is no different, and if you want to succeed in having a beautiful lawn, you have to prepare accordingly. First, pick your sod. Second, prepare your base. Third, begin planting your new lawn! It’s as easy as 1-2-3.

The choice is ultimately yours, but St. Augustine grass is usually recommended for its resilience and climate adaptability. Here are some quick and easy tips to help you plan your new lawn.

Measure your planned lawn with a tape measure. Include these measurements in a sketch of the lawn area including length, width, and any unusual features and/or grades. Next, you need to get your yard ready for sod delivery and installation. You can achieve this by removing rocks, clay lumps, and any other debris present. You will also need to level your planned lawn area; this can be achieved by using a rake or equivalent yard tool. Some lawns may require more extensive work. In that case, consider hiring a professional landscaper to finish preparing your lawn for sod installation.

The perfect base for St. Augustine grass is sand and organic soil mixture. A lush and uniform lawn is more resistant to normal wear and tear than marked lawns, so make sure to thoroughly mix your base and spread it evenly over your planned lawn area.

Lay your base evenly over the area. It is okay to lay it thick because next you are going to level it with a rake.

Once level, begin laying your sod in a pattern resembling bricks, especially when using lush turfs such as St. Augustine grass. This pattern is called the “Bond.” Each row of sod is called a “course.” Your finished lawn’s pattern should resemble a brick wall upon completion.

Caring for your lawn is easy.

St. Augustine grass performs best when mowed between 2-4 inches depending on the cultivar. For optimum performance, fertilize your lawn with 2-3 lbs. of nitrogen (N) per square foot each year depending on location, health of lawn, cultivar and soil type, and many other factors.