When it’s time to repair or replace your lawn for the upcoming sunny season, you have a couple of options, including laying sod or planting grass seed. But can you lay sod over existing grass? While laying sod over your existing lawn might seem like an easy way to minimize the time you spend nurturing your yard, it will create more work and yield worse results.
However, taking the time to install sod properly can immediately reward you with a beautiful lawn that you’ll want to admire all spring and summer long. Here are some tips and tricks to properly repair or replace your lawn instead of placing sod directly onto existing grass.
Can You Lay Sod Over Existing Grass?
Technically, you can lay sod over grass, and on very rare occasions, with a whole lot of effort, it may work. For successful sod installation, it’s crucial that the sod establishes direct contact with the soil beneath it. Simply placing sod on top of existing grass can lead to it drying out and dying, as it won’t root properly.
Instead, ensure proper sod establishment by either removing or eliminating the current grass. Then, till the soil to create a healthy growing environment for the sod’s new roots. You’ll need a depth of three to four inches of loosened soil for optimal results
The average cost to sod a yard is nearly $2,000, or between $0.35 and $0.85 per square foot. So, doing it one time the right way is far less costly and much easier in the long run than skipping a step or two. So, no, laying sod over existing grass isn’t very practical.