Concrete is a compacted and solid material. It’s hard for water to seep through it, hence avoided by many homeowners when planting. But the question is, can you lay sod over concrete?

You can lay sod over concrete, but you must first add a topsoil layer to support root formation. The sod will absorb water and nutrients from the soil above and below the concrete. These minerals are vital to supporting the growth of a healthy lawn. This absorption is possible due to holes, pores, and cracks in the concrete.

What is Concrete?

Concrete is an engineering or composite material that combines broken sand, stones, and cement and is bound by water. It is widely used around the world as a building material.

Can You Lay Sod Over Concrete?

Laying sod over concrete is one of the most effective ways of remodeling an old patio or driveway. However, you must carry out some special preparations before laying your new sod. Adding nutrient-rich topsoil over concrete is critical when growing sod over concrete.

The grass will grow healthy over concrete because of these reasons;

• The concrete has pores, cracks, and holes that allow the sod to absorb essential nutrients and water from the soil.
• It improves water retention in the ground, which prevents the sod from drying up even during drought.

Sometimes you may encounter waterlogged soil, which may pose serious challenges when growing grass over concrete. Therefore, before you lay sod, follow the following steps.

How to Lay Sod on Concrete

1. Clean the concrete surface in the planting area thoroughly. Depending on its former usage, your concrete area might have substances that may harm your sod.

2. Enrich the ground with high-quality soil. Add about 3 inches of nutrient-rich topsoil over the concrete and level it evenly. Some types of sod have shallow roots and require at least one inch of soil to grow. However, add more than needed, as it helps improve water drainage.

3. Add fertilizer to boost the nutrients in the soil further.

4. Lay your sod. Once you confirm adequate soil over the concrete, install your grass. Keep your sod moist for a few days until it germinates. After that, start watering sparingly to prevent the grass from drying.

Why Does Sod Grow on Concrete?

Sod requires enough water, sunlight, and nutrients to grow. Note that water takes longer before evaporating from the concrete, providing your sod with adequate moisture. Also, through the cracks and holes in the concrete, it’s easy for the sod to absorb enough nutrients from the soil. As a result, grass grows over concrete with little trouble.

However, sod can only grow in soil that is rich in nutrients and moisture. Concrete, with a layer of topsoil on top, is not an exception.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What kills grass growing on concrete?

A: If you add any liquid containing vinegar and salt to the grass growing on concrete, the turf will die.

Q: Can you plant directly on concrete?

A: You should add a layer of topsoil on concrete before planting to boost healthy plant germination.

Q: How long will sod last on concrete?

A: Generally, the sod will last on concrete for 3-5 days before it spoils.

Conclusion

Although concrete is a solid and compacted material, you can still lay your sod over it. However, you must first add a topsoil layer to support root formation. The sod will grow as it absorbs water and nutrients from the soil above and below the concrete. This is because concrete has holes, pores, and cracks through which sod can absorb these minerals.