In part one of this two-part blog series, we went over some basics on how to properly remove sod if you’re planting a new flower bed. This process, which is often done during the start of spring but can also be carried out later in the season, helps save grass while also giving the new flower bed a great chance at success when it’s planted.

At Olympus Landscaping, we’re here to help with a variety of landscaping services, from landscape design to numerous areas of installation, repair, maintenance and more. We’ve assisted many clients with basic seasonal jobs like moving sod from one property location to another, and we have the expertise needed to ensure this kind of project gets done without any problems coming up. Here are the latter steps involved in this process, plus some tips on the timing factors involved and how our team will assist you if-needed.

Prying Up Sod

We left off in part one with the cutting process on sod, which involves cutting it into strips or square pieces depending on the location it’s being moved to. Next up, you have to pry up the sod to prep it for movement.

This involves digging under one end of each piece of sod you plan to move. From here, shove either a spade or a pitchfork under each piece, cutting through any taproots that are left over. Once these have been cut and the piece is no longer attached to the ground, lift it out and shake any loose soil out.

Rolling Up Sod

Next, it’s time to arrange the sod pieces for movement. For longer pieces, roll them up like you would with a carpet or a yoga mat; for square pieces, stack them on top of each other in a convenient location.

Timing Before Laying

For those who are in situations where the sod can’t immediately be transplanted to its new location, it’s important to know about the relevant timelines here. Generally speaking, you have about five days to lay sod before the grass dies – but during this hot Utah summer, this number will be significantly lower, often as low as 24 hours.

For this reason, we recommend planning out and preparing your transplant location before you begin digging up sod. And if you cannot avoid letting sod sit out for more than a day, you should be sure to set the strips in a shady location where it can be watered, which will allow it not to die.

Professional Assistance

If you’re unsure about any part of the process we’ve gone over here, or if you have physical limitations or just want to be completely confident in the job that’s done, our team of professional landscapers is happy to help. We have tons of experience with relocating sod, and we’ll assist you with any part of this process.

For more on how to remove and transport sod for new flower bed planting, or to learn about any of our landscaping design or installation services, speak to the staff at Olympus Landscaping today.