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Watch the full episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJXLu97JmOo&index=4&list=PLkJADc1qDrr-U3jevgVkJt9YXYy_ZfHau This Old House landscape contractor Roger Cook helps a homeowner lay sod in his backyard. (See below for a shopping list, tools, and steps.) Click here to SUBSCRIBE to the official This Old House YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=thisoldhouse Shopping List for Laying Sod in a Backyard: - Bluegrass and fescue sod - Sand and compost, used to amend the soil - Starter fertilizer and lime, used to feed the soil - Landscape fabric and wood chips, for covering the play area Tools List for Laying Sod in a Backyard: - Shovel - Wheelbarrow - Garden rake - Sod cutter, used to remove old lawn - Large rotary tiller and mini tiller, for loosening the topsoil - Utility knife, used to cut sod strips to length - Walk-behind drop spreader, for dispersing fertilizer and lime   Steps for Laying Sod in a Backyard: 1. Use a soil probe to check the depth and texture of the topsoil.[BR] 2. Next, remove all the existing grass with a gas-powered sod cutter.[BR] 3. Place the old grass into a wheelbarrow and carry it away.[BR] 4. Loosen the topsoil with a large rotary tiller to a depth of at least 6 inches.[BR] 5. Use a mini-tiller to loosen the soil alongside fences, foundations, and other areas not accessible to the large rotary tiller.[BR] 6. Cover the entire tilled area to 2 inches deep with a 50/50 mixture of sand and compost.[BR] 7. Blend the sand and compost into the soil with the rotary tiller.[BR] 8. In the kid's play area, dig down 4 inches and cover the ground with landscape fabric.[BR] 9. Spread about 3 inches of wood chips on top of the landscape fabric.[BR] 10. Add starter fertilizer and lime to a walk-behind drop spreader and apply the mixture to the tilled area.[BR] 11. Rake the entire tilled area perfectly smooth.[BR] 12. Start laying sod, one strip at a time, along the edge of the lawn.[BR] 13. Butt the strips tightly together to produce undetectable joints.[BR] 14. After laying the first row of sod, rake the soil smooth and start the second row.[BR] 15. Use a utility knife to cut in half the first strip of sod for the second row.[BR] 16. Set the half-strip in place, then continue to lay full-length strips of sod to complete the second row. Starting with a half-strip staggers the joints between the rows.[BR] 17. Continue to lay sod, butting the strips tightly together and staggering all end joints.[BR] 18. Once you've laid all the sod, water the lawn three times per day the first week, twice a day the second week, once a day the third week, and then resume a normal watering schedule. Follow This Old House and Ask This Old House: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ThisOldHouse Twitter: https://twitter.com/thisoldhouse https://twitter.com/asktoh Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/thisoldhouse/ G+: https://plus.google.com/+thisoldhouse/posts Instagram: http://instagram.com/thisoldhouse Tumblr: http://thisoldhouse.tumblr.com/