Should I roll my yard after installation?
Written By Peter Honeycutt
There are multiple steps to ensure that your fresh sod installation is as successful as possible, but using a sod roller is often overlooked. There is a bit of controversy as to whether or not this step is actually necessary. Here is why it is so important and why you should be rolling your sod:
Why Should I Use a Sod Roller?
It is well worth the effort of borrowing or renting a sod roller. In order for sod to survive, its root system has to develop. This means contact with the soil beneath it is crucial. Before installing your sod, ensure that there is a layer of soil for the sod to develop its roots. After grading, install your sod, water immediately and use your sod roller.
A sod roller looks like a large steel drum, that has handles to easily push it around your lawn. You fill the drum with water or sand to add weight. If you don’t own a roller, most hardware stores carry them to rent. Roll horizontally over the entire lawn, and then roll it again in the opposite direction. This will ensure that you compact the entire area well.
Advantages of Using a Sod Roller
Rolling your sod has a couple of great benefits for your lawn. Arguably the most important benefit is that it helps the roots of the sod come into firm contact with the soil. It tightly presses the sod into the soil, which gives the roots immediate access to moisture. This allows the roots to knit together quickly. It essentially kick-starts the growth process needed for a successful lawn. A sod roller also helps remove air pockets trapped beneath the sod. Over time, these can result in dead patches as the roots cannot properly form in these pockets. Rolling ensures even growth, and no dead patches!
Rolling also helps your lawn in the long term. It helps to smooth out any unevenness that could occur during the grading stage. If a roller isn’t used, the soil underneath becomes soft as it is not compacted properly. This also leads to depressions being made when it is walked upon, leaving you with a bumpy and uneven lawn. These depressions can also make it hard for you to mow your lawn. Save yourself future trouble and use a sod roller!