Whether you're building a new home or you've just decided to replace a patchy, poorly growing lawn, you may be thinking that sod is a great solution. The truth is that sod makes a great option for replacing an entire lawn. If you've been thinking about creating the lawn you've always dreamed of with your local sod installer, there are some things you'll need to consider first. Here's a look at some of the things that you'll need to discuss before installing sod in your yard.

Sunlight Assessment

Before you install any kind of sod on your property, you should do a thorough assessment of the sunlight accessible on the property. Sunlight assessments are important because different types of sod have different sunlight needs, and choosing the wrong sod for your yard's actual sunlight access could lead to a yard that won't grow. 

Your sod installer will come out and assess the sunlight in your yard throughout the course of the day to help you choose the right type of sod for your situation. This way, you can be sure that you're not installing a shade-loving variety in a yard that gets full direct sun, or vice versa.

Drainage Evaluation

Sod's survival depends on adequate drainage in your yard as well. You need to have the soil tested for drainage capacity before installing your sod. That way, if the soil needs to be amended before the sod is applied, you can do that to ensure that the drainage is appropriate. Otherwise, you risk drowning the roots in soil that retains too much water or drying the sod out if it's in soil that's too sandy and well-draining. Your sod installer can help you with the drainage evaluation and any adjustments that need to be made.

Nutrient Testing

Another key component to choosing the right sod for your home is the nutrient content of your soil. Your sod installation contractor will have the soil tested for nutrient content to determine whether or not your soil can actually support sod growth. In some cases, the soil may require the addition of certain fertilizers or other nutrients to help the sod to thrive. With nutrient testing, your sod installation contractor will be able to tell you precisely what the soil needs before your sod is placed.

These are some of the things you need to know about proper preparations for sod installation. Talk with a local installation contractor for more help before you get started, like Mata Turf.