Soil Preparation:

• Grade the soil so water will drain away from home; fill in low lying areas so water will not puddle.
• Install permanent underground sprinkler system with uniform, "head-to-head" coverage (where one sprinkler's coverage pattern will spray onto the head of the nearest sprinklers).
• Incorporate soil admendments such as mulch (doing this before installing turf will save water).
• Apply a light coating of fertilizer (1/2 the recommended rate) underneath the turf to help it root in quicker.
• DO NOT USE fertilizer mixed with Pre-Emergent or Weed-N-Feed fertilizers during the first year after installing turf.

Installing Turf:

• Sod is perishable, install as soon as possible after delivery.
• Install turf across a slope in a brick pattern to prevent washouts.
• Install green side up.
• Water newly installed turf immediately after installation; on large lawns sprinkle with garden hose after each pallet is installed.
• During the first two weeks, keep the turf and the soil beneath moist all the time, but NOT SATURATED. During the hottest part of the summer, this requires watering several times each day for the first two weeks.
• Make sure every part of your lawn gets watered by your sprinkler system. Corners and edges normally are problem areas. Hand water problem areas with a hose for the first two weeks if necessary.
• Check dry spots with a screwdriver. If it's harder to push a screwdriver into a dry spot than it is to push into an adjcent green turf, it's not getting enough water. Check to make sure sprinkler system has uniform, head-to-head coverage.
• If a dry spot develops, place a straight-sided can (empty tuna or soup can) in the middle of the dry spot during a normal watering cycle to make sure the dry spot is getting water.