Red Deer backyard sod installation
A Red Deer backyard, from patchy grass and bare ground to a green lawn. Rent a Rake handled the yard preparation, sod installation and aftercare.
View project ↗Red Deer & Central Alberta
Sod installation. A fresh start for your lawn.
We prep the ground, supply the sod and lay your new lawn. Sod installation starts at $1.20 per square foot.
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The short answer
What is sod installation?
Sod is live grass grown in a field. It comes with roots and a thin layer of soil. We lay it on ready ground to make a new lawn. It looks green right away, but the roots still need time and care.
Sod or seed?
Both can make a lawn. The best choice depends on your yard, budget and how soon you want grass cover.
Sod gives you a full cover of grass at once. Seed costs less to start, but the grass must grow in. Both need good soil and water. Neither fixes the cause of a poor lawn on its own.
| Think about | Sod | Seed |
|---|---|---|
| What goes down | Live grass with roots | Grass seed |
| How it looks at first | Green grass cover | Soil while seed grows |
| Early care | Help roots grow into the ground | Help seed sprout and fill in |
| Room in your budget | More up front | Usually less up front |
Read more: University of Minnesota: sod and seed
What sod costs
Our sod work starts at $1.20 per square foot. That covers the prep, sod, supplies and the work to lay it.
The size of the lawn is only one part of the job. Tell us what is on the ground now. We also need to know how we can reach it. A clear view of the yard helps us quote the work it needs.
Good sod starts with the ground
New roots need to reach soil. Old grass, lumps and loose debris can get in the way. Prep helps make a firm, even base for the sod.
Tell us if rain leaves pools in the yard. A new layer of grass will not fix a water problem below it. Point out low spots, roots and any work done under the lawn.
If you have old grass, ask how it will be dealt with. We need to see its state before we set that part of the plan. Do not assume sod can go right on top of it.
- Show us bare ground, old grass and weeds.
- Mark the parts where you want new grass.
- Tell us about soft spots or puddles.
- Let us know about gates, steps and narrow paths.
Read more: University of Maryland: new sod problems
How a new lawn takes shape
Here are the main parts of a sod job. The work agreed in your quote sets the plan for your yard.
Tell us what you want
Share your town, the lawn size if known, and what is there now. Say if the job is one small patch or the whole yard.
Set the prep plan
The ground needs to be ready before sod arrives. Confirm how old grass, soil levels and access will be handled.
Lay the sod
Sod pieces fit close together on the ready ground. The roots need good contact with the soil below.
Start the care plan
Water is needed as soon as the sod is laid. Plan who will care for it while its roots grow.
Water is part of the job after the job
New sod needs water right away. Keep the sod and the soil just below it moist as roots start to grow. Moist is not the same as soaked.
There is no one timer setting for every lawn. Sun, wind, rain and soil all change how fast it dries. Check the ground, not just the top of the grass. Edges can dry before the middle.
Have a way to water the full lawn before work starts. If you will be away, ask someone to check it. As the roots take hold, watering can change. Ask for a care plan for your sod and yard.
Read more: University of Minnesota: watering new grass
If the new grass starts to dry
Do not wait for the whole lawn to turn brown. Check dry edges and seams. Make sure water reaches those spots and the soil below.
Dry sod may struggle to root. Too much water can cause trouble too. If a patch stays brown or feels loose, ask for help. Tell us when it was laid and how it has been watered. A photo can help show the change; ask us how to share it.
Read more: University of Maryland: new sod problems
Walking, roots and the first cut
Keep play, pets and heavy use off the new grass while it roots. Limit foot traffic to the care it needs. Sod can look ready before it holds to the soil.
Root growth depends on care and weather. A light tug in a few spots can help check whether roots have taken hold. Do not pull hard or lift whole strips. If sod moves, it needs more time.
For the first cut, the sod should hold firm and the ground should support the mower. Use a sharp blade. Take off only a small part of the grass. Ask about the right height for your new lawn instead of cutting it short to delay the next mow.
Read more: University of Minnesota: sod and seed · University of Minnesota: mowing
A small patch or a whole yard
You can ask us about both. Tell us which parts need sod and which parts you want to keep. We will confirm if the job fits and what it needs.
For a rough size, measure the length and width in feet. Multiply them for a square or rectangle. Split an odd shape into small parts and add them. Label this as a rough size; the final lawn area still needs to be checked.
A large lawn also needs a plan to reach every part with water. A small yard may have tight gates. Include those details so size does not hide a key part of the job.
Get a sod quote with fewer unknowns
Send what you know. You do not need a perfect drawing. A clear note about the yard is a good start. Rent a Rake has been doing yard work since 2006.
- Your town and the part of the yard to be covered.
- A rough size, if you have it.
- Bare soil, old grass or other cover now.
- Gate width and any hard-to-reach spots.
- Your water source and when you hope to do the work.
Rent a Rake in the yard
A look at the work.
Our projects
The work, in real life
Where we work
We serve each community below. Choose yours for help planning the work.
Sod Installation questions
Ask about your propertyDo you supply the sod?
Yes. Our starting price includes sod, prep, supplies and installation. You do not need to buy sod first.
Is every yard $1.20 per square foot?
No. That is the starting price. The work your yard needs sets the final quote.
Does old grass need to come out?
The new roots need a good soil base. Tell us about the old grass so we can confirm the prep needed. The quote should make that work clear.
Can sod go on top of weeds?
Weeds and other growth need to be dealt with as part of prep. A new layer of sod is not a fix for the cause of a weedy lawn.
How long does sod take to root?
It varies with the sod, soil, weather and care. Check that it holds to the soil. Do not use a set number of days as the only test.
When can children and pets use the new lawn?
Wait until the grass has rooted well and the ground is firm. Ask about your lawn before you start normal play on it.
Can I water too much?
Yes. The soil should stay moist while roots form, not soaked. Check below the grass and adjust for rain.
Should I mow on a set day after laying sod?
No. Check the roots, ground and grass first. Sod that still lifts or shifts is not ready for a mower.
Can I ask about a small sod job?
Yes. Tell us the size and location of the patch. We will confirm the work and availability for your yard.
What if I want sod and sprinklers?
List both in your quote request. Work under the lawn needs to be part of the plan before the new grass goes down.
Where do you install sod?
We serve Red Deer, Carstairs, Innisfail, Penhold, Springbrook and Olds. Share your property location with your request.
Can you quote without an exact lawn size?
You can send a request without one. Describe the area and say that the size is not known. Final details need to be checked before the work is agreed.
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Let’s talk about sod installation
Tell us where you are, what needs doing and the result you have in mind.