Should I Find a Sod Installer Near Me or Do It Myself?
If your lawn has seen better days or you’re planning to change your landscaping, you may be considering the addition of sod. Before you take on this project yourself, consider that sod installation can be trickier than you think. In most cases, it makes sense to hire a professional sod installer near me to take on your new sod project. Here’s what every homeowner and business owner should know before taking on a sod project.
Sod has a Shelf Life
First, it helps to understand what sod is and why this process is so different than planting grass seed. Also called turf or turf grass, sod is grass that is already grown. It is held together by the root system and comes in large rolls from a sod farm. Some companies sell sod pre-cut into smaller sheets. Most sod comes with a thin layer of biodegradable material to help the grass stay together until it reaches your yard. However, a sod company might also sell sod with just the roots holding it together, depending on the grass species.
Because this is a living product, sod has a shelf life. You need to install it quickly or it will never take root. In the best-case scenario, sod installation takes place within 24 hours of the sod being cut. Sod needs to be installed the same day you receive it.
Even if the sod still looks green and alive, it may never take root if it sits around too long. It’s one of the best reasons to hire a sod installation team instead of doing the job yourself. Our team here at Landscape Solutions & Design Inc. can install your new sod quickly, so there is a very high chance of successful rooting and growth.
If you speak to a sod installation company that will not get the job done the same day the sod is delivered, run! Every sod installation expert knows that sod needs to be installed as quickly as possible after it is cut. Otherwise, it has a lower chance of taking root. If this happens, you’ll have to cut out the old sod and start over, which can be an expensive process.
Not All Grass Will Work for Your Lawn
We tend to think of grass as a single plant species, but there are actually dozens of different types of grasses. Here in North Carolina, we have a relatively mild environment, so many grass species work well for lawns. However, the exact type of grass we recommend for you depends on a number of factors, including the following:
- How lush/full you like your lawn to look
- Other aesthetic preferences such as color
- Amount of foot traffic expected
- Soil type
- Water/drainage expectancy and challenges
- Your maintenance and mowing preferences
- Amount of sun and shade in the area of grass cover
Bermuda grass, centipede grass, zoysia grass, fescue grass, and Kentucky bluegrass are all popular options here in North Carolina. You can also choose a grass blend, which is made from multiple different types of grasses. We’ll help you choose the grass species that will work best for your specific lawn.
The key is to work with a sod installation expert who can recommend the best for your situation. No matter how much research you do, nothing beats experience in the sod-laying field. We have first-hand experience with what works and what doesn’t. We’ll never recommend a sod product that we wouldn’t feel comfortable installing in our own yard.
You May Need to Grade before Installing Sod
Keep in mind that laying sod isn’t as easy as unrolling the grass and going back to your busy life. Before you install the sod, you may need to grade your lawn. Not only will this give you a nicer surface in the end, but it will also prevent drainage problems.
“Grading” is the process of leveling the ground around your home. You generally want it to be flat, with a very gentle slope away from your home. However, in some cases, depending on the natural features of your lot, your yard may need to be graded differently.
One of the most common reasons homeowners have issues with their lawns is that they don’t have proper drainage. Grading solves this problem, since water runs downhill.
Depending on the size of your lawn and the type of soil, grading can be back-breaking work. That’s where we come in. Not only can we provide the best grading for your new sod, but we’ll also ensure water properly drains away from your home to prevent damage. Sod is an investment in your home and property and you want to install it properly to receive the best return for your investment…a healthy, attractive, long-lasting lawn!
Here are some indications that your yard is not currently graded well:
- You can see dips and small hills in your lawn, instead of a nice gentle slope.
- Large puddles or wet areas collect in certain areas of your lawn.
- You have issues with water damage or rot on the wood found on your home’s exterior, especially near the ground.
- After a rainstorm, small streams or water are eroding trenches in the soil.
- Patches of dead grass are forming, which can be an indication of fungal growth from too much water.
All new construction needs grading work. Most yards also need to be regraded over time. If you want a beautiful lawn, this is simply a step you cannot skip.
Proper grading will also provide drainage away from your flower beds or other areas of your lawn, such as a garden shed. Over time, water can cause a lot of damage. It’s much more cost-effective to ensure your lawn drains properly from the start.
We can also help with grading, sod installation, and landscape design for your new build. We’ll work with your new home contractors to come up with a landscaping plan, budget, and schedule that works for everyone.
Ground Prep and Follow-Up Maintenance is Key
Once the ground is graded properly, your soil needs to be prepped for sod installation. We’ve seen people simply unroll the new sod over existing grass. Sure, you can do this, but don’t be surprised when most of the sod dies over the next few weeks. You’ll have to remove and replace it again and again unless you properly prepare the soil. When you call a sod installer near me, you will have the benefit of the experience and expertise that is required for a successful result.
We’ll start by ensuring that your new lawn will get the proper nutrients. Soil might seem like “just dirt,” but in actuality your soil might be very different from even your neighbor’s soil. Some soil is sandy, and other soil is rocky. If water has been running into your yard, it could have been depositing certain nutrients, which can be helpful or harmful depending on the type of grass. Our analysis of your soil will help determine what type of grass is best. We’ll also add fertilizer to deposit nutrients, if needed.
Regardless of the type of soil found in your yard, it needs to be fairly loose for the grass root to take hold. In other words, we’ll till the soil so it isn’t hard packed. We have machines that help us loosen packed chunks of soil and remove rocks. Doing this work by hand can be backbreaking. It’s a huge advantage to hire professionals with the appropriate equipment.
Before laying your new sod lawn, we’ll also wet the soil properly to help the roots establish. This ensures that your sod has the best chance of survival, no matter what mother nature has in store. Yes, we can install sod even during the hottest part of summer and even if it hasn’t rained recently.
Don’t forget that your sod needs maintenance until it takes root. We can complete your maintenance work for you or we can give you step by step instructions. The most crucial part is ensuring that your sod gets enough water. The watering needs vary for different types of grasses. However, fescue, bluegrass, zoysia, Bermuda grass, blends, and almost all other types of grasses need to be watered several times per day until the sod takes root.
Laying Sod is Not a One-Person Job
As you might suspect, laying sod is not typically a one-person job. Yes, you can do it by yourself, but you have to work quickly and be able to dig, lift, bend, and more. It’s quite the workout.
If you are thinking about installing sod yourself, we recommend having at least one friend or family member to help. Remember, you need to install sod quickly in order for it to take root and successfully start to grow. Most people with average or large lawns need a team of 3-6 people to get the job done. Even if you love landscaping and are in good shape, this is a big project.
Instead, consider searching for a sod installer near me to complete the job professionally. Our team has experience installing sod and taking on other lawn care projects. We can take on the project from start to finish, including all grading, soil analysis and preparation, installation, and maintenance.
A Sod Installer Near Me Will Give You the Best Chance at Success
At the end of the day, if your goal is to enjoy a beautiful lawn, your best bet is to hire a professional team for sod installation service. Here’s what you can expect when you work with Landscape Solutions & Design:
- Fully-licensed and insured technicians who treat your home and lawn with respect
- Experienced lawn care professionals who have been serving the Triad to Lake Norman area and beyond since 2005 and decades of experience in lawn care
- A high attention to detail – we’ll maximize your curb appeal through our perfectionist mentality
- Honest and transparent pricing, so you don’t have to worry about a price quote inflating by the end of the project
- Workers who show up on time and complete your lawn care project according to our agreed-upon timeline
- Great communication, so you always know exactly what is going on with your project and can get answers to any questions you may have
- A detailed presentation of your options, which allows you to pick the perfect solution for your yard and budget
Your home and lawn are important to us. Don’t settle for a sod installation expert that treats you like just another number. We’re a top sod installation company because we treat you like family.
If you’re ready to get started with a free consultation, click here to learn more. We have three teams in the Triad area ready to take on your project!
Yes, We Do Commercial Landscaping Too!
Your home is important to us, but so is your business. Around 40% of our customers are commercial. Your grass makes a first impression on people as they drive up to your storefront or office building. Why not let us help you make the best first impression possible?
In addition to laying sod, we can also add mulch, complement your building with the right flowers and other plants, provide ongoing all-season maintenance including snow removal, create hardscapes such as fountains, add retaining walls, install lighting and irrigation, and more. Our residential hardscapes include walkways, driveways, outdoor kitchens and water features. Click here to learn more about our full line of commercial outdoor maintenance and landscape services. Or, give us a call at 336-442-0160.
Landscape Maintenance Tips
Triad landscaping Services provides landscape maintenance services directly, but we also enjoy empowering our customers with tips to keep their yard looking its best. Here are five landscaping maintenance tips you can use to plan a yard that wows your neighbors:
1. What do you have to work with? Anticipating what will be involved down the road is an important first step. Determine how much time you want to be working on adding and maintaining your landscaping elements in advance. If you start ripping out plants or digging up soil right away, you may realize once it’s too late to turn back that you’ve bitten off more than you can chew. Even beyond how much work you’re willing to do directly, you should also ask yourself how much you’re willing to invest in hiring landscapers to help set it up and maintain it. If you have the budget to go big, great, but otherwise make sure you don’t put your yard in an awkward in-between state of being partway done.
2. Pick your color scheme. The easiest yards to maintain are those with a well executed theme. Determine in advance what types of foliage, flowers, and grass you want to use, as well as where each of those are going. This will make your process more efficient and the end result more cohesive, which of course leads to stronger curb appeal. Otherwise you’ll be playing a guessing game midway into the project, and it can negatively impact the look of your yard.
3. Gather materials suited to your region. Do your research and find out what materials are best your region’s climate. For example, there may be some materials that stand up to heat and moisture better than others. Alternatively there are other materials that withstand cold, dry temperatures for longer. Knowing these kind of details up front will save you time and money, as you’ll be repairing or replacing less as time goes on.
4. Plan For Growth. Make sure as you plant seeds or small plants that you have a general idea of how big they’ll get and how quickly they’ll grow. Otherwise your garden will look crowded as plants come up. This ties in with #2 a bit, as unexpected sections of your garden growing larger or faster than you’d expected can throw off your color scheme and shaping quickly.
5. If you don’t need it, don’t use it. Remember that every piece and joint you use is another thing that will eventually wear out and need to be replaced. Using curves instead of sharp angles is a big way to accomplish this. If you can get away without using edging, do it. Otherwise that will be one more thing to maintain. This will also help you manage your time going forward so that you can focus more on the garden and less on other little nuisances.
Further reading:
Designing Your Landscape Garden
If you’re looking for ways to spruce up your garden, getting some professional landscaping could be just the extra something your yard needs.
Hiring a landscaper to set your garden up can make the rest of the process smoother, as you’ll have the benefit of their experience from the early stages of the process that are easier to change initially, such as soil and seed varieties.
When you’re designing your landscape garden, your landscaper will select types of plants and flowers that complement the color scheme of your home or business. The right design can set off your overall landscaping, giving you serious curb appeal and adding that extra bit of pride as you pull into your home each day.
The right floral arrangements and combination of plants can make all the difference, and can be just as important as proper edging and spacing. Flowers can also soften the look of a yard if it has a lot of trees or hardscapes, such as retaining walls, which brings visual balance back to the space. If you’ve considered adding touches like fountains or small ponds, adding various foliage will create a powerful motif.
If you’ve been thinking about adding a garden (or sprucing up an existing one), give us a call today to wow your neighbors! (336) 442-0160
5 Interesting Rock Landscaping Ideas for your Home or Business
Incorporating rock landscaping into the grounds of your home or business is a fabulous move. Not only does your yard or grounds look regal, you also create an elegant oasis, offering visitors to your outdoor space a quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of life. Adding rock landscaping to your property also adds to its value and by adding rock, you are removing considerable yard work for yourself. More rock landscaping means less lawn to mow! Rock landscaping comes in a variety of forms and styles and at Landscapes R Us we have plenty of experts to offer you guidance and help. We also recommend spending some time studying your available yard/garden space and seeing what can and cannot be done, before even getting started. This article offers five interesting rock landscaping ideas to consider for your next spring project.
1. Create a rock waterfall
One popular idea our customers love is creating a rock waterfall. When creating a rock waterfall in your yard or garden we suggest trying to imitate nature as best possible. Spend time in nature listening and watching how a waterfall operates in its raw, natural form, then, replicate this in your garden. We suggest incorporating a variety of boulder sizes. Create twists and turns in the waterfall.
2. Create a dog house
Building a doghouse, sort of an igloo shaped structure with stone, is a great way to use any leftover rock and a great way to offer shade to your pet. A doghouse also looks pretty, and rustic. Create the structure with plastic first, then, mount your rocks over the form. Once complete, plant some vine to climb over the house. Voila! You have an attractive, rock made shelter for your pooch!
3. Add stone to your fireplace
Another great rock landscaping idea is to add rock to your existing outdoor structures such as your fireplace. Simply secure rock on the exterior of the fireplace. Try being mindful of the natural flow of the rock, making the formation and design replicate nature.
4. Make a rock garden
Slopes can be tricky to navigate in any garden, but rocks can make a slope look more rustic and less bland. Another incentive for adding rocks to your slope is rocks prevent erosion and allow your plants to be anchored, therefore accelerating and helping their growth. When placing your rocks on your slope, we suggest digging a hole larger than the rock. Place the rock in the hole, then fill in the dirt.
5. Build a wall
Another interesting rock landscaping project is building a wall. Walls don’t have to be simple or boring. When done well, rock walls can look stunning! Please keep in mind however you will need a building permit if your wall exceeds four feet. We suggest adding steps up to the wall, then, add a vine or two. Beautiful! And yet so affordable and simple!
Call us at (336) 442-0160 for expert guidance and advice! We are here to help you!
Better yet, right now we’re offering $1500 off any hardscape project valued at $25,000 or more. Likewise, we have an offer for a smaller project as well. Get $500 off a fire pit with a paver patio of 400 square feet or larger. Hurry! These offers only lasts until March 31, 2024.
Common Landscaping Mistakes
Homeowners can add considerable value to their home with landscaping. You wouldn’t think so, but anecdotally and also officially from experts, the word is adding even trees to your front yard can add value to your property and to the homes around you.
But before leaping in you should also know while landscaping is joyous it is also arduous and tricky requiring much planning and research ahead of time. There are plenty of common mistakes you could inadvertently make when trying to beautify your property. Here are some of the common pitfalls we hear about:
Don’t Leap in without a Landscaping Plan
Before moving one rock or planting one tree, it absolutely pays off to hire a contracted landscaper working in Greensboro, Winston Salem or High Point, North Carolina to offer you their expert landscaping advice. These experts will know which plants, shrubs and trees grow best here. They’ll know how high trees will grow and how much shade they will offer. They’ll also ensure the layout is not only pragmatic from a growth and landscaping perspective, the layout will be pretty and calming to the eye. With a landscaping plan you can also take on something more ambitious, such as installing walls, gazebos and paving. An expert landscaper may come up with ideas that never occur to you otherwise.
Plant What Thrives in North Carolina
Whether you research this alone or with your landscaping expert, always consult with experts to ensure the plants, shrubs, flowers and trees you plant will thrive in this North Carolina climate. Many homeowners like to make their garden a surrogate for the places they left behind – but this is a common mistake. Soil types may be different here versus other states and countries, rainfall is higher here than elsewhere along with the severity of wind, lightning and thunder.
Don’t Default to Having a Lawn Just Because Your Neighbors Do
While lawns are ubiquitous in Greensboro, Winston Salem and High Point neighborhoods, not every homeowner or renter needs one. If you don’t feel motivated to mow and irrigate your lawn frequently, then consider other landscaping options.
Work with What You Have
If your yard is rocky then incorporate rocks within your landscaping plan rather than eradicate them all. Don’t try reinventing the wheel — you will exhaust yourself and deplete your resources fast.
Try Thinking Seasonally
As you develop your landscaping plan try thinking year around to ensure you have brightness and growth throughout the year, not just summer and spring.
Be Practical
Always be practical in your landscaping decisions rather than just think about the aesthetic. Bottom line: your landscaping goal is to design an oasis in which you can relax and enjoy. Anything requiring massive maintenance on your part can take away some of the joy of a beautiful landscape.
Invest in Your Tools Early on
One of the biggest time wasters when it comes to landscaping is returning to your home improvement store to restock products or items that are depleted, or to buy items you thought you already owned. Before getting started on your landscaping, take stock of what you possess and make a big shopping trip to purchase all you need.
Contact us or call us at 704-684-7211 for more information.
Trees and Shrubbery will Nicely Accent Your Landscape
Trees and shrubbery increase the beauty and appeal of any landscape. They are a great way to accent your yard and add vibrant color to your property. With many different choices available, it can be difficult to determine which varieties will work best in your yard. A professional landscaper helps homeowners choose and maintain trees and shrubbery that will look beautiful all year long.
What will trees and shrubbery do for your yard?
Trees
There is nothing more beautiful than trees gently swaying in the breeze. No matter where you live or the size of your property, trees add a natural elegance to any yard. Trees add interest to your landscaping with seasonal blooms or colorful foliage throughout the year.
Another benefit of trees is that they provide shade for your yard. They can reduce the heat that reaches your grass and other plants, preventing them from perishing during the summer. A shaded yard is more comfortable for all living creatures, including your family.
Trees reduce water runoff and erosion as well. They give off oxygen that we need to breathe and absorb air pollutants. Trees provide food and shelter for many animals. They also make a great place for a tree house or tire swing.
Because trees grow large, they can block unsightly views or act as a visual representation of your property line. A landscaper will assess the conditions in your yard and help you choose trees that will flourish. Evergreens, deciduous, and flowering trees may be intermingled for a beautiful effect.
Shrubbery
Shrubs and bushes are much smaller than most trees. They tend to have multiple stems that are low to the ground. Their dense foliage and many leafy branches make them ideal for improving your privacy. They can also hide unsightly views and create a definite border around areas in your yard.
You can also plant shrubs close together to make a natural fence. They can help you keep out foot traffic or make a visible barrier on your property line. Often you will see shrubs and bushes lining driveways or walkways.
Just like trees, shrubbery can block unsightly views. Many times, you will see shrubs planted along the perimeter of a house. This prevents others from seeing the foundation and focuses their eye on the more decorative aspects of the home. Shrubbery planted around windows can keep others from peering into or gaining access to your lower floor windows.
Finally, shrubs can add color and interest to a bland landscape. They are a beautiful addition to natural areas and you can even cut them ornamental designs.
Looking to add trees and shrubbery to your yard? Contact Landscape Solutions & Design
Landscape Solutions & Design provides landscaping services to residences and commercial properties in the Triad area. We can choose the best trees and shrubbery for your property. Contact us to learn why we are the premier landscaping company in NC.
