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What Sod Installation Includes
A Sodding Canada install is a full lawn replacement, not a delivery of grass rolls. When we quote a job, the price covers the whole job from the old lawn coming out to the first watering going on. Here is what is in it.
- Removal and disposal of the old lawn, including weeds, thatch and debris.
- Grading so water runs away from the house and the surface sits level with your walkways and patio.
- Fresh screened topsoil where the existing soil is thin, compacted or builder fill.
- Fresh-cut sod delivered from the farm and laid the same day it is harvested.
- Rolling so the roots make firm contact with the soil rather than bridging over air pockets.
- The first watering plus a written watering and mowing schedule for the first few weeks.
- Site cleanup, so you get the lawn back and not the mess.
Our Sod Installation Process, Step by Step
Every job runs through the same five steps, whether it is a small front lawn or a full property.
- Remove the old lawn and debris. We cut out the existing grass, roots and thatch so nothing dead is left under the new sod.
- Grade the soil and add quality topsoil. We level the base, correct the fall away from the house and top it up with screened soil where it is short.
- Lay fresh-cut sod tightly, staggering the seams. Rolls go down edge to edge in a brick pattern so the joints knit together instead of drying open.
- Roll the sod for firm soil contact. Rolling presses out the air pockets that stop roots from reaching the soil.
- Water deeply within the first hour and follow the two-week schedule. The first soak matters more than any other, and we leave you the schedule for the rest.
How Does New Sod Installation Work?
Sod installation lawn maintenance method has been popular for years. Rather than seeding technique which takes a lot of time to grow, sod has a fully grown root system and is very easy in maintenance. Sod usually grows on farms under professional supervision and is delivered to you in a package for a quick installation. Comparing to sod installation, the seeding process:
- involves less cost upfront but requires a lot of work and expenses to maintain growth
- chances of all seeds growing evenly are low, due to imperfect growth conditions
More and more people choose sodding instead of seeding as it allows you to enjoy your new lawn almost immediately, skipping the cultivation period. The best time to install sod is believed to be between April and early November, depending on weather conditions. Sodding Canada can help you to choose proper time for sod installation and with all other inquires.
Benefits of Replacing The Lawn
- Fresh sod reduces heat on hot summer days, making it easier to breath for you and your family. New lawn acts as a natural air conditioning, reduces greenhouse gases and absorbs carbon dioxide
- Lawn installation is the fastest and easiest way to get a fresh lawn. Rolls of fresh grass are delivered to your house and can be installed in a few hours. With proper care, your new backyard will be ready for use in 2-3 weeks
- Sod needs less water to be established, which saves you money and time
- Fresh lawn helps to prevent erosion, muffle noises and can be used to stabilize soil on hills
- Bright green, clean and soft grass can add up to 15-20% to the value of your household
Sod Types We Install
Almost every lawn we lay in the GTA is a Kentucky bluegrass blend. It is the standard for Ontario sod farms because it spreads by rhizomes, so it repairs its own thin patches and knits at the seams faster than a bunch-forming grass. It also handles our winters and gives you the dense, deep green look most homeowners are picturing.
Where a yard is shaded for most of the day, or where the ground is sandy and dries out fast, a blend that includes fescue or perennial ryegrass is usually the better call. Fescue tolerates shade and drought better, and ryegrass establishes quickly. We look at the sun, the soil and how the lawn will be used before we recommend one, and we tell you if a spot is too dark for any grass to hold.
What Sod Installation Costs
Sod is priced by the square foot, and the number moves with the size of the lawn, how much old grass has to come out, how much topsoil the ground needs and how easy it is to get a machine into the yard. A flat, open front lawn with decent soil is the cheapest job we do. A fenced backyard with a narrow side gate and 100 mm of topsoil to bring in is the most expensive.
We break the drivers down with typical ranges on our sodding cost page. Quotes are free and done on site, because nobody can price a lawn properly without seeing the access and the ground.
Areas We Serve Across the GTA
We install sod across the Greater Toronto Area, from the lakeshore up onto the Oak Ridges Moraine. Busiest areas are Toronto, North York, Etobicoke, Scarborough, Markham, Mississauga and Richmond Hill.
Booking north or west of the city? We handle sod installation Vaughan homeowners book every week, and we take on sodding Brampton projects across Heart Lake, Springdale and Castlemore. We also cover Woodbridge, Maple, Thornhill, Concord, Kleinburg, King City, Nobleton, Bolton, Aurora, Newmarket, East Gwillimbury, Stouffville, Georgina, Innisfil, Bradford, Oakville, Burlington and Hamilton.
Choosing Professional Sod Installers
You can save yourself a lot of time, effort and money, by hiring the right contractor for your sod installation project. Lawn replacement contractors use professional sod cutters and other tools in combination with right techniques for best results.
Renting a sod cutter and trying to lay sod without help of professionals turns out as a more expensive option in many cases, especially if you take your time into consideration. There is also a higher risk of not achieving the perfect result due to improper installation or aftercare.
Picking the right company for your lawn replacement is very important. Landscaping and sod installation companies use different ground preparation techniques and you should hire experienced lawn installation professionals in order to reach get the best result with minimum time and expense.
Sodding Canada Installs Perfect Lawns
At Sodding Canada, we are not only making your lawn look beautiful, but bringing the enjoyment of outdoor activities to your family. That way you will not be feeling lawn-ly this summer and will get the most out of this warm season.
We offer our sod installation services and more all across the GTA. Our sod experts are ready to assist you with any lawn project, big or small. We offer a wide range of services from full sod installation to sod cutter rental or sod installation experts for hire.
Our professional team has a lot of knowledge and experience in both commercial and residential areas. Do not hesitate and call us at 647-277-4774 or send us an email at info@sodding.ca! Make your dream lawn come true.
Sodding FAQ
How long does a sod installation take?
Most residential front or back lawns are a single-visit job once the old grass is off. Larger properties, heavy grading or jobs that need a lot of soil brought in can run into a second day. We confirm the window with you when we quote.
When is the best time to lay sod in Ontario?
Anywhere from the spring thaw through to late fall, so roughly April to early November depending on the weather. Spring and early fall are the easiest on new sod because the soil is warm and the air is not. Midsummer installs work fine, they just need more water.
How soon can I walk on new sod?
Keep off it for the first two weeks apart from watering. After that, light foot traffic is fine. Give it three to four weeks before kids and pets are back on it properly, and check that the sod does not lift when you tug a corner.
How much should I water new sod?
Soak it deeply within the first hour of it going down. For the first two weeks keep the soil underneath consistently damp, which usually means watering every day and twice a day in a heat wave. Then start stretching the gaps so the roots chase the water down.
Do you remove the old lawn, or do I?
We do. Removal and disposal of the old grass is part of the job, and laying new sod over old grass is the single most common reason a lawn fails to root.
What does it cost?
It is priced per square foot and depends on lawn size, old lawn removal, topsoil and access. See the breakdown on our sodding cost page, or call 647-277-4774 for a free on-site quote.