Guarantee Rooting With Our Establishment Plan
At Sod Smith, when we care for fresh sod across Minneapolis, we provide a 100% establishment guarantee for homeowners who join our Establishment Plan.
What is the Rooting Period?
Our Establishment Plan Roots Fresh sod 100% of the Time
At Sod Smith, we know that proper care for fresh sod in its early stages is critical for a beautiful, thriving green lawn. This timeframe is known as the "rooting period," referring to the five weeks immediately after sod installation. This is when your sod is most fragile and "at-risk," making proper maintenance critical.
Ensuring correct soil moisture, properly mowing the first time, and suppling your lawn with the right nutrients are all essential to healthy sod establishment during the rooting period. Many of our customers have expressed that the post install maintenance requirements can be overwhelming, time consuming, and nerve-racking.
That's why we created our Establishment Plan!
Designed exclusively for Sod Smith customers, this specialized sod care service provides expert attention your lawn needs during this critical early period. Should any sections of your lawn fail during this five week period, our team will replace those areas at no cost to you - guaranteeing a perfect end result.
Our establishment plan’s
5-week schedule
Visual Analysis
Our team checks for dry patches, replacing any dead pieces of sod for free.
Soil Moisture Test
We test your grass to ensure it is adequately watered and retaining moisture.
Mow and Bag Clippings
We give your grass it’s first professional mowing, bag the clippings, and remove them from your lawn.
Overseeding
We spread additional grass seed to your lawn for greater health and volume.
Fertilizer
We give your lawn nutrients essential for long-term growth.
Final Health Check
We do a final check on your yard’s health, leaving you with a fully-rooted lawn.
Get the most out of our sod Establishment Plan
Protect your sod investment!
You entrusted us with transforming your yard into something that’s healthy and beautiful, not just this season but for many seasons to come. With our Establishment Plan, your new sod lawn will get the attention it needs to take root and thrive, guaranteed!
Over the five week rooting period, our team will take the dirty work off your plate:
Weekly checkups
Each week, a trained member of our team will visit your property and monitor your sod’s health. This personalized attention helps us quickly address any issues to keep your lawn’s growth on track.
Immediately address rough patches
Sometimes patches of sod fail to root as expected, but don’t worry—we’ll catch it early! Any dead patches or problem areas will be immediately addressed with a FREE replacement.
Custom watering schedules
Watering fresh sod is crucial, and that's why our automated watering systems are required for the Establishment Plan. If you have an existing in-ground system or if you had us install one for you, great! If not, we'll provide a temporary, above ground automated system for the establishment period. During each weekly visit, our team will perform soil moisture tests and adjust your watering schedule to stay within recommended moisture range.
The Critical "First Mow"
Three to four weeks after installation, your fresh sod will be rooted and ready to mow. Improper mowing can lead to scalping and dead sod, which is why our team handles it for you. We'll carefully mow only 1/3rd of the grass blade height, collect and bag all the clippings, gently trim the edges, and over-seed the project area.
Final quality check
At the end of the 5-week establishment period, we’ll perform a final quality check to confirm your sod is properly established and ready for your enjoyment! If any issues remain, we’ll address immediately and schedule replacement if needed.
No more guesswork—our 8-step process guarantees rooting
We know that taking care of fresh sod can be challenging. Unlike companies that simply throw sod down and move on, Sod Smith employs our tried-and-true process that lays the groundwork for healthy, lasting growth.
Before your fresh sod care begins with our Establishment Plan, we follow a proven 8-step process to guarantee strong rooting and long-term success.
1. Remove weeds, dead grass, and poor-quality soil
By removing debris and nutrient deficient soil we create a fresh canvas from which we apply your lush green sod lawn.
2. Backfill with high-quality topsoil
Replace the old soil with nutrient-rich topsoil. This will promote root growth and nourish your lawn throughout the growing season.
3. Add soil conditioners and grub control
We minimize the risk of pesky insects and invasive plant species from making a home inside your new lawn. Only lush, vibrant grass is welcome here!
4. Rotor-till new soil
We till 4-5 inches deep to help loosen compacted areas of your lawn and help infuse conditioners and other healthy nutrients back into the soil.
5. Grade the project area
We carefully grade the soil to create a smooth, level surface—ensuring the perfect foundation for your new sod.
6. Install new sod
Our team uses only fresh sod that’s been harvested the same day as your installation. This guarantees your lawn gets the healthiest start possible, with vibrant, ready-to-root grass.
7. Overseed
Once your new sod has been laid, we spread grass seed varieties to reduce visible lines and fill in gaps.
8. Provide Detailed Maintenance Instructions
Our specialists create a customized plan for watering and mowing your new lawn, ensuring its long-term health.
State-of-the-art irrigation systems for easy, efficient care
Keeping your fresh sod properly watered amidst the harsh Minneapolis climate is key to helping it take root and thrive. That’s why Sod Smith relies on Irrigreen, a smart irrigation system that takes the guesswork out of watering.
With Irrigreen, your lawn gets:
- Automated watering that adapts to your sod’s needs
- Even coverage—no dry spots, no overwatering
- Effortless care—less work for you, better results for your lawn
It’s all part of making sure your new sod gets the best start possible.
The weeks following sod installation are crucial
Laying fresh sod is just the beginning—the real work starts after the installation. Without proper care, new sod can quickly dry out, develop bare spots, and struggle to take root.
From daily watering schedules to knowing the right time for the first mow, sod care can feel overwhelming. Skip the guesswork and let Sod Smith’s Establishment Plan do the heavy lifting. Our expert team ensures your lawn gets the care it needs so you don’t have to second-guess every step.
Need to install or replace your lawn’s sod?
If your lawn needs complete revitalization, our team is here with the resources and know-how. Using freshly harvested sod from local sources, we’ll install a fresh sod lawn in no time and make sure it has what it needs to flourish.
Keep your lawn thriving with one of our maintenance plans
A lush, green lawn doesn’t happen by accident—it takes consistent care. Weather, foot traffic, and seasonal changes can take a toll, but our lawn maintenance programs keep your yard looking its best. With fertilization, pest control, and core aeration, we help your lawn stay thick, healthy, and vibrant all year.
Support your sod with Sod Smith’s Establishment Plan!
Give your sod the best start with Sod Smith’s Establishment Plan. In just a few short weeks, you’ll experience your property undergoing a bold transformation.
Homeowners in Minneapolis trust us with their yards
Our services are built for Minneapolis’ climate
Minneapolis’s weather can be brutal on lawns, with long freezing winters that dip to as low as -30°F. That’s why we align our treatments to the local climate, using sod varieties and care techniques that stand up to these harsh conditions.
At Sod Smith, we work hard to meet the unique challenges of Minneapolis' climate, ensuring your lawn remains resilient and vibrant year-round. Whether you're in frigid
Zone 4 or the slightly warmer Zone 5, your lawn will stay healthy all year long.
Sod Smith: Venturing for Something Better
We started with a simple idea: to do things differently. Founders Kaleb and Micah saw a need for better sod installation and care—one that didn’t leave homeowners guessing about what comes next.
After beautifying hundreds of lawns and winning multiple Home Advisor awards, we’re here to help you bring your property back to life with an expertly established sod lawn and irrigation system.
Book our services in minutes
Booking our services is simple and straightforward—just a few clicks, and you're connected to one of our experts. Whether you have questions about lawn care or wish to schedule a service, assistance is readily available.
Our platform supports real-time video communication, allowing you to engage face-to-face with our team from the comfort of your home.
All of your sod care questions answered
Caring for new sod comes with plenty of questions—How often should I water it? When is the first mow? What if I see yellowing spots?
We’ve compiled all the essential sod care tips, troubleshooting advice, and expert recommendations in one place.
You’re also welcome to submit a video of your lawn to our sod care and support page. Simply upload a short video for our experts to review, and we’ll quickly be in touch with a solution.
Guaranteed to root
We’re so confident in our process that we guarantee your sod will root—and if any patches don’t take, we’ll be there to make it right. With expert care and a proven process, your new lawn is set up for long-term success.
That means you can enjoy a lush, green yard without the stress of wondering if your investment will pay off. From installation to follow-up care, we stand by our work so you can relax and enjoy the results.
Professional sod establishment in Minneapolis, MN
Turning sod into a lasting, luscious lawn that’s guaranteed to root
At Sod Smith, we don’t just lay sod—we turn it into a lasting, luscious lawn that adds serious curb appeal. Let us take care of the fresh sod with our 5-week Establishment Plan and finally enjoy a consistently green and vibrant lawn.
Home Advisor Awards Winner
We've won multiple awards on Home Advisor, including Top Rated Elite Service, Screened and Approved, 20 5-Star Reviews. This outstanding award is based on customer reviews and response speed for incoming leads.
Sod Smith uses texting to communicate efficiently with our busy customers. By calling Sod Smith, you are consenting to receive business-essential text messages with the option to opt-out at any time.
Proudly servicing our neighbors in the Twin Cities and surrounding suburbs
South Minneapolis • Richfield • Edina • Wayzata • Eden Prairie • Saint Paul • Minnetonka • St. Louis Park