Precision Landscape LLC Comprehensive

Sod Installation/Hydroseeding Process

Here at Precision Landscape LLC, our approach to lawn renovation involves a meticulous process.

STEP #1 We employ a sod cutter to remove a 3 to 2" layer of existing grass, ensuring a clean slate for the new sod/Hydroseeding. The removed grass is then hauled away for disposal.

STEP #2 The next step involves cultivating the soil to a depth of about 3 to 5 inches. This step is crucial as it serves multiple purposes. Cultivating the soil not only exposes new nutrients, providing a fertile foundation for the new sod/Hydroseeding, but it also mitigates compaction, creating an environment conducive to root growth. Additionally, the loosened soil has improved moisture retention, reducing the need for excessive watering. While it's not mandatory to rototill/cultivate before laying sod/Hydroseeding, we recommend this practice for optimal results in establishing a healthy and resilient lawn however, If the soil is excessively rocky, we highly recommend the removal of a few inches of the existing soil and replacing it with 3 to 4 inches of fresh, clean topsoil. This practice ensures a more conducive environment for optimal plant growth.

Note: For Hydroseeding at list 1" of topsoil is highly recommended.

STEP #3 The next step in our process involves leveling and grading the yard. This not only results in a smoother surface, but also plays a crucial role in preventing water retention in specific areas, contributing to the overall balance and health of your lawn.

STEP #4 The next crucial step is soil aeration to address soil compaction. Given that heavy machinery compacts the soil during the grading process, aeration becomes indispensable using specialized equipment In addition to alleviating soil compaction, soil aeration plays a crucial role in facilitating the rapid growth of roots for the new sod/Hydroseeding. It encourages deeper penetration into the soil, enabling the sod/seeds to establish itself more swiftly. This not only promotes the overall health of your lawn but also allows for repeated use of your newly transformed lawn.

STEP #5 The next step involves spreading starter fertilizer and lime. Lime serves a dual purpose in this context. Firstly, it acts to neutralize the soil's acidity, creating a more balanced pH level. Additionally, lime functions as a cleanser for the soil, effectively removing toxicities and introducing essential nutrients.Spreading starter fertilizer and lime before sod installation/Hydroseeding proves highly effective. This strategic approach ensures that essential nutrients are directly applied to the roots in the soil, providing an immediate and concentrated source of nourishment for the upcoming lawn. 

STEP #6 The next step in our process involves the meticulous laying of sod. We take care to ensure that the sod is laid in straight lines as much as possible, minimizing gaps between each roll for a seamless and uniform appearance. Following the sod installation, we use grass seeds to address any small gaps, ensuring a thorough and even coverage.

At Precision Landscape LLC, we have a diverse range of tools and machinery that allows us to customize our approach to meet the unique requirements of your landscape, promising precision and efficiency at every stage of the installation process.

Summer season sod installation 

People often have the misconception that hot weather is bad for their lawn, but that is not exactly true. As seasons change, resources such as sunlight and ideal temperatures cause growth patterns in the grass to shift. Grass tends to grow particularly fast during warmer days. Hot weather not only provides more sunlight but also aids in the grass establishing faster and growing roots more quickly and deeply into the soil. Summertime allows the lawn to be ready for traffic sooner. While it does require more water than the spring season, the benefits, as we explained above, far outweigh the increased water needs. At Precision Landscape, our unique sod installation process enhances the grass's ability to thrive in warmer days by releasing soil compaction, resulting in reduced water consumption. During the yard leveling/grading process, we water the soil to achieve a soft texture. This not only facilitates the leveling process but also helps maintain soil moisture, ultimately reducing water consumption as well. 

Furthermore, in specific scenarios where an irrigation system is absent or for expansive areas subject to heavy foot traffic, we highly recommend the utilization of Tall Fescue. This particular grass variety has proven to be exceptionally well-suited for such conditions, showcasing remarkable durability and resilience. Its notable attributes include thick, coarse blades and deep roots, making it an ideal choice for lawns facing high-traffic demands. Moreover, Tall Fescue boasts excellent drought tolerance, ensuring that even in areas without a dedicated irrigation system, it can thrive, maintaining a lush and enduring green space. This recommendation is particularly valuable for property owners seeking a low-maintenance yet robust solution for their lawns. We exclusively provide Tall Fescue grass for particular scenarios, But the majority, comprising 80-90% of our sod and hydroseeding services, features two other varieties of grass with a finer, softer texture.

Note: We strongly advise our clients against installing sod or opting for hydroseeding during the winter season. The cold and rainy weather during winter is unfavorable for grass growth, and, in fact, some of the grass may die due to limited sunlight. This phenomenon is common in the Northwest region. Therefore, it is recommended to overseed your lawn twice a year to replenish the grass that dies off in winter. This practice not only helps in maintaining a thick, healthy texture but also ensures a robust lawn overall.

Traditional Seeding VS Hydroseeding

                     Traditional Seeding(Non-Hydroseeding)

While opting for traditional seeding methods may present cost-saving advantages, it's crucial to acknowledge certain drawbacks. The choice of grass seed species can restrict the suitable time of the year for seeding. Additionally, the establishment of lawns through traditional seeding methods tends to be a prolonged process and requires consistent watering.

Another challenge is the susceptibility of seeds to bird consumption and the risk of weed invasion, especially when seeding on bare soil without adding any topsoil and traditional seeding has a lower germination rate.

                                      Hydroseeding

Hydroseed is a method used by a professional using specialized equipment.

This innovative technique involves combining seeds with a blend of mulch, fertilizer, and fast-acting lime mix everything together in a tank with water , creating a nutrient-rich coating around each seed. This unique formulation expedites germination, leading to a significantly higher germination rate. The inclusion of mulch not only aids in faster germination but also contributes to water conservation by enabling the seeds to retain more moisture, ultimately reducing overall water consumption. It is more expensive than traditional seeding, However, significantly less expensive than sod.

Reasons To Replace Your Lawn

Unhealthy grass is easily identifiable: despite regular watering, you'll notice dead or dying blades beneath the outwardly healthy green grass. The consistent rainfall over time can lead to soil becoming overly acidic. Eventually, both the turf grass and the soil may need replacement.

In certain instances, addressing grass issues can be achieved through practices such as dethatching, fertilization, aeration, and overseeding. However, there are cases where grass refuses to grow despite these efforts. In such situations, it becomes crucial to consult a specialized turf grass expert for a thorough evaluation. This expert can assess the condition of the grass and make informed recommendations on whether replacing the old grass is necessary or if overseeding is a viable option.

At Precision Landscape LLC, we bring years of expertise and utilize advanced tools to assess your lawn's needs accurately. Our goal is to provide you with the best options that not only address the current concerns but also contribute to long-term cost savings.

              Lawn Maintenance Overseeding

For a lush and healthy lawn, consider overseeding, especially in spring and fall (for optimal results, seed in April or October). Begin by mowing your lawn as short as possible, around 2 inches. Utilize a core aerator or a spike aerator, moving over the lawn in two directions for thorough aeration. If using a core aerator, it will remove plugs of grass and soil, while a spike aerator will create holes in the lawn.

Following aeration, apply starter fertilizer according to the manufacturer's instructions. Avoid using weed & feed fertilizer during overseeding. We don't recommend raking and picking the aerator cores. The best option is to leave them as they are because they will return nutrients to your lawn as they decompose.

Ensure consistent moisture in the seeded area without over-watering during the seed establishment phase. Begin with a starter fertilizer in the initial stage and then adhere to your regular fertilization routine as the overseeded area takes root, typically applying fertilizer 2 to 3 times per year. If weeds begin to emerge, you can incorporate weed & feed into your maintenance regimen. This holistic approach to overseeding is designed to enhance the thickness of your lawn, staving off weed proliferation and ensuring year-round vitality.

             Why Lawn Aeration Is Important?                  

Over time, soil tends to compact, creating a barrier that makes it challenging for essential nutrients, especially water, to reach the deeper roots. Aeration is a crucial process that facilitates the penetration of air, water, and nutrients deep into the soil. This deeper penetration enhances the availability of nutrients to the turf's root zone, optimizing the effectiveness of fertilization and ongoing watering, resulting in a healthier turf. To ensure the vitality of your lawn, it is advisable for homeowners to aerate their lawn twice annually. Performing aeration is beneficial not only in the spring but also during the summer. This is particularly advantageous during the hotter months when water tends to evaporate more rapidly due to the warm weather. Aeration plays a crucial role in reducing water consumption by enhancing the soil's ability to retain moisture. Therefore, incorporating aeration into your summer lawn care routine proves highly beneficial in maintaining optimal soil conditions and minimizing water usage. Due to the limited sunlight during winter, some grass inevitably dies, a common occurrence here in the Northwest. To counter this, it is highly recommended to overseed your lawn twice a year, providing an effective strategy to replace the grass that succumbs during the winter months.

  Guidelines for Lawn Maintenance Post Sod Installation/Hydroseeding 

Kindly refrain from using your newly laid lawn until after the initial mowing, typically around 5-6 weeks post-installation. It's crucial to ensure proper watering during this period to facilitate root establishment. Begin watering immediately after installation, applying sufficient water to penetrate both the sod and the top two inches of the native soil, Water until one inch of water has accumulated in a flat container such as a pie plate.

The initial mowing is recommended when the grass reaches a height of 4 to 5 inches. Maintain a consistent mowing height of 3 inches throughout the year. In the second year, you have the option to cut as low as 2 inches, but bear in mind that a lower cut necessitates increased fertilizer and water to sustain the grass's health. Longer grass, on the other hand, retains more moisture naturally.

Note: The growth of your new grass depends on the weather conditions. Your lawn may take less than 5 weeks to establish or longer, depending on the weather. In the summer, grass can establish and be ready to use in as little as 2 weeks.

                                   Spring Season

Sod laid in early spring generally doesn't require watering unless there are 2-3 consecutive days of sun without rain; in such cases, water once a day. When temperatures climb to 70 degrees and above during spring, irrigate your lawn only once a day, preferably in the morning between 6-7 am. Ensure thorough watering until approximately one inch of water accumulates in a flat container, like a pie plate. Late evening watering during hot weather may create fungus problems.

                                   Summer Season

This season is critical for your lawn's well-being. It's essential to water twice a day—once in the morning from 6-7 am and in the evening from 6-8 pm, seven days a week. This routine is crucial for maintaining optimal moisture levels during this sensitive period. Ensure thorough watering until approximately one inch of water accumulates in a flat container, like a pie plate. Late evening watering during hot weather may create fungus problems.

Failure to adhere to the post-sod installation guidelines may result in permanent damage to your lawn and could void your warranty. It's crucial to follow these instructions to ensure the health and longevity of your newly installed sod.

Note: These watering instructions are not 100% accurate, as soil textures and types of areas where grass was planted may vary, But this serves as an excellent starting point for adjusting your watering system

will need to adjust your irrigation system according to your lawn's specific needs. For hydroseeding, water consumption will be higher compared to sod installation.

WAt Precision Landscape LLC, we deeply value our clientele, making their satisfaction our paramount goal. We offer tailored new lawn installation services to ensure your lawn perfectly reflects your envisioned aesthetics and fulfills your requirements. Our thoroughly licensed and insured team stands by to provide a safe and dependable lawn installation process.

Moreover, we're firmly committed to our environmental obligations. Hence, we endeavor to incorporate eco-friendly practices into our lawn layering processes whenever feasible, all without jeopardizing our work quality.

Eco-Friendly And Benefits Of Having Real Grass Turf:



1* Carbon Capture: When you look a bit closer at the details, 81% to 90% of the carbon captured in the landscape is actually captured by the lawn.

2 * Oxygen Production: A 5000 sq ft grass lawn can produce enough fresh oxygen daily for up to 34 people!

Just a quick reminder - your lawn does a heck of a lot more than hang out and look good:)

Frequently Asked Questions About Lawn Installation

Get in Touch With Us Today

Ready to transform your outdoor space with our expert lawn installation? Our team at Precision Landscape LLC is ready to assist. Contact us at (206-856-2969) or email (info@precisionlandscapellc.com).

Start your journey towards a beautiful, lush lawn with Precision Landscape LLC, the go-to choice for lawn installation in All king couty  areas. Your dream lawn is just a phone call away. Contact us today for a free consultation and estimate.

Your lawn is our canvas - let us create a masterpiece for you.

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