Q: What is the best way for a DIY’er to install sod on a lawn for a residential property?
A: Many pro builders use a tractor fitted with a special sod-laying apparatus hitched to the rear. These attachments are then fitted with large spools of sod (which are backed with mesh). A worker holds one end of the sod strip while the tractor operator pulls forward, literally unrolling the spool of sod in strips. However, a tried-and-true homeowner method is to purchase pallets sod, have the supplier deliver them to the site, and recruit all your friends on a Saturday morning. Have everyone lay the sod in tightly spaced rows, butted end to end without overlapping. Use hatchets to cut the squares to fit the property lines and around obstacles in the yard. If you have any gaps, fill with topsoil and add seed.