A lawn is only as good as what's underneath it. In North Texas that means working with heavy clay soil, long hot summers and the occasional hard freeze.
Start with the ground. Remove the old, dead grass and weeds, level out low spots and loosen the top layer of soil. Compacted clay makes it hard for roots to spread, so preparation here pays off for years.
Choose sod for fast results. Sod gives you a finished lawn right away and is easier to establish than seed. Pick a grass type that suits your yard's sun and use — some handle full sun better, others tolerate more shade.
Lay it tight and roll it. Sod pieces should be set snug with staggered seams and no gaps, then pressed down so the roots touch the soil directly. Gaps dry out fast.
Water it correctly. New sod needs frequent watering at first to keep the roots moist, then less often but deeper as it roots in. Watering early in the morning loses less to evaporation and heat.
Make sure your irrigation covers the whole lawn evenly. Dry patches usually trace back to a head that's clogged, tilted or missing, or a zone that isn't covering its area.
Three Guys Landscaping installs sod, builds beds and repairs or installs irrigation across the Dallas area. Call (214) 698-9037 for a free estimate.