Cultivated turf allows you to enjoy a lawn of instant beauty and maturity without trying to grow grass from seeds.

The following are basic steps for starting a beautiful Blancke Sod Farm lawn.

STEP 1: Looking over your site. Be sure your yard is free of any weeds or wild grass. If you have unwanted plants or grass growing, they should be eradicated by using a glyphosate product such as Round-Up (always follow label instructions to insure safe and legal use).

STEP 2: Measuring & Ordering Measure area to determine square footage. Multiplying the length by width will give you the total square footage. You will reach a more accurate figure to order if you physically measure each area needing sod rather than taking figures from a lot plan. The lot plan seldom displays easements, structural changes, or changes in landscape or hardscape that have been installed.

Delivery orders should be scheduled anywhere from a couple of days to a week in advance depending on the time of the year. Orders are filled on an "as available basis."

STEP 3: Soil Preparation Before the sod arrives, proper preparations are a must. Eliminate drainage problems by having soil slope away from cement work foundations. Rake and smooth the soil. Remove rocks, roots, concrete pieces, etc. Fill in any low spots with topsoil. You do not want any water to pond or puddle after grass is installed. Keep soil approximately 1" below top of driveway and sidewalks to allow grass to be level when complete.

STEP 4: Turf Installation Important note: Prompt installation on the day of delivery is crucial. We recommend having step 3 completed by the time your sod is delivered. Sod is a living plant that needs to be installed as soon as possible.

Start installing at the longest straight edge. Do not overlap or leave spaces between strips of grass. Keep sod tight without stretching. Stagger the joints in brick-like patterns. For trimming, anything sharp works. We like steak knives or razor knives - Be careful! Give your new lawn at least 1 inch of water within a half hour of installation. Water daily or more often keeping turf moist until it is firmly rooted (about 2 weeks). Then, less frequent and deeper watering should begin. Weather conditions will dictate the amount time and frequency of watering. Be certain that your new lawn has enough moisture to survive hot, dry, or windy periods. Water areas near buildings more often where reflected heat dries the turf.

CAUTION: During the first three weeks avoid heavy or concentrated use of your new lawn. This gives the roots an opportunity to firmly knit with soil and ensures that the turf will remain smooth.