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Installing Sod for your Baseball Field
Sod
for your Baseball Field |
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For
your problem areas or the whole field
to give you instant turf |
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Choices
and Decisions
- Sod requires
proper planning and preparation BEFORE the sod is delivered.
Where as seeding can happen when you are ready to do it.
- Proper installation
on the day of delivery is critical to success with sod.
- Make sure the sod
matches the existing turf as much as possible. Be aware the sod farms
heavily fertilize and the sod may arrive looking much darker than what
you have. It will blend in over time.
- Try to get sod
grown on ground similar to what you have. Clay based sod goes on a clay
baseball field. Sand grown sod goes on a sandy loam field.
Sources
and Suppliers I
used sod for the area in front of the mound during a renovation job. I
wanted a good, strong footing for pitchers when fielding bunts or grounders.
I used Horizon to
order a sod with the same consistency as the sports turf seed I used -
80% rye and 20% bluegrass. Horizon in turn had Delta Bluegrass deliver
the sod to me.
Tips & Hints
- Measure the area
you'll put sod on. It is good to know both square feet and square yards
when ordering.
- Add 10% to the
amount you need to allow for trimming to make the sod fit together and
fit in our area. Better a little too much than to run out!
- Till to a depth
of 4 inches. Add in compost or topsoil/compost mix to level the area.
It is ok for it to be a little higher than the surrounding area. It
will settle as it is watered.
- Smooth dirt with
a field rake. Roll soil with a lawn roller. Ensure it is still a bit
higher than surrounding soil. It will settle. Spread fertilizer.
- Water the soil
until it is damp. Not puddling. Start laying sod.
- Water the sod within
30 minutes of installation. Protect unused sod. Put in the shade, cover
with a wet cloth, or sprinkler it occasionally.
- Install sod. Butt
the pieces together. It will shrink a bit. Stagger the joints.
- After installation,
roll the sod to level and get contact with soil.
- Soak the sod and
water daily for about two weeks till the sod takes. Then cut back on
watering. You can also put some fertilizer on top of the sod. Lift a
few random pieces to ensure your watering is getting down to the roots
and soil below.
- Mow as soon as
you can without loosing the pieces. Mow high the first time, the mow
at normal height.
- If you end up with
gaps between pieces that shrink because you didn't butt them close enough,
add some topsoil to the gap and spread some seed. Rake it in and tap
it down. It will fill in.
Mistakes to avoid
- Avoid skinny little
pieces at the edges. They won't retain moisture and will die.
- Don't just place
the sod pieces next to each other. You need to butt them up to allow
for shrinkage. Ever see a sod job after the pieces shrink and then there
are open areas between each piece? Fix by following step 11 above.
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a sod farm
sod is
heavy; here sod
previously removed
is being added after
the area was regraded
1,000 sq
ft of sod
delivered on pallets,
then covered till used
installation
starting
with the longest runs
working
our way
around the mound
right after
sod is
installed; note darker
color at first

same field just 3 weeks
later - firm and looks
great |
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