How we build · Ocean & Monmouth County, NJ
Grass doesn't grow
on bare sand.
So we rebuild the ground first. Here is every layer that goes down before a single roll of sod does.
- 1Old lawn out, ground loosened
We scrape off what is there and break up the hard sand underneath, then grade it flat.
- 2Composted topsoil
Rich, aged compost spread over the sand. This is the food and the water sponge. Bare sand has neither.
- 3Lime + starter fertilizer
Jersey soil is too acidic for grass. Lime fixes that. Starter food gets roots moving in week one.
- 4Sod Squad Standard sod
A tall fescue blend, grown at least 9 months, cut the morning of your install, laid in 300 lb rolls and rolled flat.
Why sprinklers aren't an upsell
Sandy soil drains fast. That is great for a patio and brutal for new grass.
Common questions
Why not just put sod right on the dirt?
Because Jersey Shore sand does not hold water or food. Sod laid straight onto it looks perfect for two weeks, then the roots hit bare sand, stop, and the lawn browns out in the first hot stretch. The compost layer is what the roots actually grow into.
What is the roller for?
A 300 pound roller presses every roll into full contact with the soil below. Air pockets under sod are where lawns die — the roots never bridge the gap. Rolling is quick, and skipping it is one of the most common reasons a new lawn fails.
How long until the roots take?
Roots take about 3 weeks to set with the right watering, which is why we hand you a schedule. Stay off the new sod until we come back for the first cut, about 21 to 30 days after install. The 30-day establishment guarantee covers you while that happens.
Do I need sprinklers?
Over about 1,500 square feet, yes. Hand-watering cannot keep sandy soil damp through a Jersey summer, and a lawn that dries out before its roots grip does not come back. Steady watering gets the roots set in about 3 weeks. We install larger lawns only with irrigation in place.