Des Moines New Sod Installation Services

Welcome to Neat & Tidy! 🌱 If you’re dreaming of a lush, green lawn that makes your neighbors envious, you’ve come to the right place. Our sod installation services are designed to turn your patchy, muddy yard into a vibrant oasis. We combine expert soil preparation, precise grading, and top-notch sod with personalized aftercare to ensure your new lawn takes root quickly and flourishes in the long run.

What’s the Problem?

Are you grappling with:

• Patchy Lawns: Moss and weeds thriving while your grass struggles for life?
• Uneven Areas: Low spots that hold puddles in winter and turn to dust in summer?
• Old Turf Troubles: Lackluster grass laid on poor subsoil—no compost, no drainage, and no chance for success?
• Irrigation Issues: Sprinklers overspraying onto sidewalks or rotors that can’t keep up with your lawn’s needs?
• Traffic Wear: Heavy foot traffic combined with shade and the wrong grass mix leaving your lawn looking sad and neglected?

What You Get (and Why It Works)

When you opt for our sod installation service, you’re getting a whole package of benefits:

• Soil Test & Site Assessment: We take the time to evaluate your lawn, checking for compaction, grading issues, shade, and your current irrigation setup.
• Proper Base Preparation: We’ll remove that tired old turf, loosen up the subsoil, and add a nutrient-rich compost/topsoil blend to ensure a level and thriving base.
• Tailored Sod Selection: Choose from cool-season blends like perennial rye and bluegrass, shade-tolerant fine fescues, or an eco-mix with microclover for a low-maintenance lawn.
• Seamless Installation: Our skilled team installs the sod with tight seams and staggered joints, ensuring full contact with the base for optimal growth.
• Starter Program: We’ll roll the sod for excellent root contact and set up a watering plan tailored to your lawn’s specific needs, including light starter feeding if necessary.
• Irrigation Tune-Up: We’ll fix any existing coverage issues, match precipitation rates, and establish a simple watering schedule (or even install new MP rotators if needed).

Just a heads up: sod won’t solve deep shade or poor drainage issues. We’ll give you honest advice on where grass won’t thrive and suggest alternatives like groundcovers, gravel, or mulch.

Quick Coverage Math (So Ordering Is a Breeze)

• Measure Your Area (sq ft): This is your sod requirement. Don’t forget to add 5–10% for any cuts and curves.

• Topsoil/Compost Needed: 1 cubic yard covers approximately 324 sq ft at 1”.

  • Example: For an 800 sq ft lawn with a desired 2” of the blend → 800 × 0.167 ft = 134 cu ft ≈ 5 yd³.

Aftercare Timeline (No Guesswork)

To help your new sod thrive, follow our easy aftercare timeline:

• Days 0–7: Keep the sod and the top 1” of soil evenly moist with 2–3 light waterings a day during warm weather.
• Days 8–14: Gradually reduce watering frequency while increasing depth. Check corners and edges for any lifts and re-roll if necessary.
• First Mow: Once the grass reaches 3–3.5”, trim it to around 2.5–3” using a sharp blade. Remember, never remove more than ⅓ of the height.
• Weeks 3–4: Transition to deep, infrequent watering. Light feeding may be necessary based on soil tests.
• Traffic: Normal foot traffic is fine after about 2–3 weeks; heavy use from sports or pets can resume after 4–6 weeks depending on conditions.

Our Annual Maintenance Plan (Your Yard’s New Routine)

To keep your lawn looking fabulous year-round, we offer:

• Mowing Right: Maintain a height of 2.5–3” with a sharp blade to avoid scalping.
• Smart Watering: Seasonal timer updates, catch-cup tests, and deep, infrequent watering cycles.
• Compost Topdressing: A light application in spring to build healthy soil biology.
• Aeration & Overseeding: Address compacted areas or thin patches in shaded spots.
• Moss & Weed Prevention: Tackle underlying issues with shade and drainage, ensuring a dense turf and optimal pH levels.

We’re all about low-maintenance landscaping. Our aim is to reduce problems between visits and lighten your workload.

Service Cadences (Choose What Works for You)

• Quarterly: Spring and fall deep clean plus two lawn tune-ups.
• Bi-Monthly: A balanced option for most Des Moines lawns.

(For brand-new installs or high-traffic areas, we can start with monthly visits for the first 60–90 days, then taper off.)

What Annual Maintenance Includes

• Seasonal irrigation audits to check coverage, leaks, and timing.
• Edge re-cuts along sidewalks and garden beds to keep everything looking sharp.
• Targeted weed pulls and spot treatments focusing on Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
• Compost topdressing and light overseeding in thin areas.
• Regular soil notes and easy adjustments for mowing height and watering schedules.

Why Annual Maintenance Matters

• Deeper Roots, Fewer Brown Spots: Consistent watering and proper height lead to healthier lawns.
• Less Moss and Weed Pressure: Dense turf effectively competes against unwanted plants.
• Lower Water Bills: Efficient irrigation systems and smart watering cycles prevent waste.
• Extended Sod Life: Healthy soil and proper mowing practices reduce the need for replacements.

How It Works

1. Free Estimate: We’ll gather photos, videos, or do a quick walkthrough for clear, upfront pricing.
2. Prep & Grade: We remove old turf, amend the soil, and set the final grade.
3. Installation Day: Our team lays the sod tightly, rolls it, waters it in, and adjusts timers.
4. Follow-Up: You’ll receive a watering and mowing guide, along with a check-in from us during your first visit.

Why Des Moines Chooses Neat & Tidy

• We’re a local crew that understands marine layer mornings, clay-heavy soils, and tight alleyways.
• Licensed & Insured for your peace of mind.
• Transparent Pricing: All materials, labor, hauling, and disposal costs are included.
• On-time, respectful, and clean work every time.
• A green-first approach: we prioritize compost-rich soils, IPM practices, and efficient water use.

Ready for a lawn that lasts?

Call or text Neat & Tidy for a sod installation that’s done right—solid base, clean finish, and a care plan you can actually follow. We’ll keep your lawn tidy—so you don’t have to!