Can You Lay Sod Over Existing Grass?
It’s not always easy to get grass to grow into a lush lawn from seedlings, and it’s even harder to keep that lawn in good condition — especially in Virginia. Some areas of the state do better with cool-season grasses like Kentucky bluegrass or Fine fescues, while others do better with warm-season grasses like Bermuda.
If your lawn isn’t looking how you expect, you might be tempted to layer some well-established sod over the patchy areas and call it a day — but we’re here to tell you not to do that. Here’s why you can’t simply lay sod over existing grass:
The Risks Of Laying Sod Over Existing Grass
Laying sod over your grass, even in areas where the grass is patchy or dying, can cause a lot of problems. Those include:
- Too much thatch formation: Thatches form when the old, dying grass doesn’t break down fast enough, leaving the new grass to grow in soggy patches. If you put new sod on top of old grass, you’ll create these unhealthy thatch layers.
- Drainage problems: Layering your grass this way makes it hard for water to drain down the grass and into the soil below, meaning you’ll be dealing with improper runoff and puddles of water around your lawn.
- Problems with the appearance: Your sod won’t look even if you’re laying it over existing grass. This will hurt your curb appeal and make your lawn difficult to mow.
- Root problems: If your sod isn’t in direct contact with the soil, it won’t be able to root itself properly. This means your grass won’t get the nutrients it needs to grow and will eventually die.
Tips for Laying Sod & Improving Your Lawn
Instead of laying sod over your lawn, you’ll need to lay it on the ground – but what’s the best way to do that? You’ll have much higher chances of successfully planting sod if you follow these steps:
- Mow your lawn as short as you can. Rake and remove all clippings and any debris you can find, like rocks or sticks.
- Till the lawn using a rototiller. Once you’re done with that, rake the lawn and remove all debris again.
- Add topsoil to your lawn. Spread this in an even layer so your lawn is properly graded.
- Apply fertilizer. Adding a fertilizer that suits your type of sod will help it root to your property faster.
- Lay down your sod in even strips. Once it’s all rolled out, don’t forget to water it.
Professional Lawn Care & Landscaping in the Northern Virginia, MD & DC Areas
Instead of stressing over your sod installation, reach out to Wheat’s Landscape. Our skilled team can perform all the above steps with precision and care, customizing everything to your property. Plus, we’ll make sure our installation complements your hardscape. With a professional lawn care team, you’ll have beautiful, healthy sod in no time.
Contact us now to get started on your sod installation project. We’ll gladly schedule a consultation.
