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Prepare the Soil Base (Depth and Compaction)

0:34
6:09
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At 0:34 in

How NOT to lay Sod

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What happens here

Dispelling a common myth, the presenter explains that a 4-inch layer of pulverized, screened black dirt is not necessary. Instead, he advises a maximum of 1 to 1.5 inches of black dirt on top of the subgrade. He warns against compacting this layer, as compaction will hinder root growth and lead to an uneven lawn. When moving dirt, if using heavy machinery like a skid loader, tracks are preferred over tires as they disperse weight more effectively.

Goal: Create an optimal, non-compacted soil base with the correct black dirt depth.

Tools and materials

  • Rake — Hand-raking and leveling the black dirt
  • Skid Loader Bobcat — Spreading black dirt; tracks are better than tires for weight dispersion
  • Black Dirt — Creating the top layer for sod to root into

What they say

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thing I want to do is dispel a myth that you got to have four inches of pulverized screened black dirt if you actually put that much black dirt on top of your subgrade this soil this black dirt is going to compress and cause uneven waves in your side before inches isn't necessary and sometimes incorporating it can be a little difficult like tilling your entire backyard so if you can't incorporate it what I want you to do then is to layer black dirt an inch to an inch and a half maximum and sprinkle that over the top and make sure you do not compact that soil because if you compact that soil that black dirt you're not gonna get the roots to grow into it so you sprinkle the black dirt on and then you hand rake that out and lay your sod on top of that you can see

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