SOD REMOVAL SERVICE

DESOTO LAKES, FL

HERRERA SOD

50 YEARS OF TRUSTED SOD INSTALLATION

SERVING MANATEE & SARASOTA COUNTIES

  • SOD: DELIVERY, INSTALLATION, REMOVAL
  • IRRIGATION REPAIRS (SPRINKLER HEADS & PIPES)
  • LANDSCAPING (MULCHING, INSTALL PLANTINGS)

For 50+ years, the Herrera family has been helping homeowners freshen the curb appeal of their homes with the Top Florida Grass Sods. Our Customers love our High-Quality Work and Low Prices.
Please fill out the form for a FREE ESTIMATE.
Thank you for considering Herrera Sod.

  • FREE QUOTES
  • YOUR FAVORITE FLORIDA GRASSES:
  • ST AUGUSTINE SOD
  • BERMUDA SOD
  • BAHIA SOD
  • ZOYSIA SOD
  • PLUS MANY OTHERS
  • SERVING MANATEE AND SARASOTA COUNTIES
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SOD REMOVAL SERVICE

Sod removal is the process of removing grass and a thin layer of dirt from a lawn to prepare for new sod installation. It can be challenging, especially if the grass has already taken root, but there are a few methods you can try:

Sod cutter

A heavy tool that can remove grass and dirt at a depth of 1.5–3 inches. Different types of cutters are available, including self-propelled walk-behind models that are good for homeowners. If you’re working on a slope, you might want to choose a four-wheel drive model. You can rent sod cutters from most home improvement stores or rental yards.

Pry and dig

Dig under one end of the sod and use a spade or pitchfork to cut through the roots. Then, lift out the sod and shake off any loose soil.  

Before removing the old sod, it’s a good idea to make sure the grass is completely dead. You can use a non-selective herbicide to kill the grass, but you should turn off your irrigation system first and spray the area thoroughly. 

Removing sod can have several benefits, including:

  • Leveling the ground: New sod will be flat and even with the rest of your lawn
  • Removing weeds, roots, and rocks: The process can help clear away debris
  • Providing nutrient-rich soil: You can use the fresh soil for new plants and flowers

Our easy-to-use order form captures your information, along with the type of sod grass you want. We’ll call you back, typically in under an hour, to confirm your information and set a delivery date and time.

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OUR SOD GRASSES

BAHIA SOD
BAHIA SOD
BERMUDA SOD
BERMUDA SOD
ST AUGUSTINE SOD
ST. AUGUSTINE SOD
ZOYSIA SOD
ZOYSIA SOD

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

St Augustine is the most common type of grass on Florida home lawns—and for good reason! It has been genetically optimized for warm, humid, and subtropical regions like Florida. 

The sooner you can install your freshly harvested sod, the better. Cut sod will last around 36 hours in the summer in Central Florida and around 72 hours in the winter. But the quicker your fresh sod goes from the farm and onto your yard, the better, or it will dry out and likely not survive.

When you’re purchasing sod, ask the vendor exactly where your sod will come from. You also want to know how quickly the sod will arrive at your home once cut and how quickly the sod will be installed after arrival at your home. In the summer, you want the time from sod being harvested to completed installation to be under 36 hours (summer) and 72 hours (winter) so that the sod doesn’t dry out. Ideally, the sod is harvested and installed all on the same day.

Depending on the temperature, you should water your new sod about 2 to 6 times each day for 4 to 6 minutes at a time for the first 14 days. The warmer the air temperature is, the more you should water your new sod. Your goal is to keep the sod and soil underneath moist but not soggy throughout the day. Try to not walk on the sod during these first two weeks.

Florida has many types of sod that can thrive, including warm-season grasses that can tolerate heat and drought: Bermuda grass, Bahia grass, St Augustine grass, and Zoysia grass are a few of the more hardy grasses common in Florida.

No! Many people think that they will save some time and dollars by laying new fresh sod over an existing lawn. In reality, laying fresh sod over an existing lawn is a poor decision and will likely kill your new fresh sod costing you a lot of time and money. Please remove your old lawn before laying new sod so that a healthy root system can properly develop.

You should fertilize your new sod lawn for the first time one month after installation. Fertilizing the fresh sod earlier than one month is not recommended as the sod needs time to establish its roots and strengthen before fertilizing to prevent damaging the sod.

Each type of grass sod may require a different optimum fertilizer, so consult the firm doing the installation for their recommendation. In general, a fertilizer with an adequate amount of phosphorus is ideal. Apply the fertilizer with a rating of 16-16-16 (rate: 6.5 lbs / 1000 sq. ft.) or 10-20- 20 (rate: 10 lbs / 1000 sq. ft.). Follow the directions on the best time of day and whether the grass should be pre-watered or post-watered.

High-quality sod will contain a good balance of minerals, roots, and grass, giving it a smooth, more uniform consistency. This consistency infers that the sod you’ve received has all the things it needs to produce a strong, healthy yard. Sod that is mostly soil looks dried out or grass is yellowing should be replaced and not installed.

Generally, no, you will not need to have us add additional topsoil. We use a sod-cutting machine to remove the top 3/4″ of any existing old sod and soil. The sod we install comes with 3/4′ of soil surrounding the roots that will help insure the sod a good start as it grows. If we do recommend you need fresh topsoil before sod installation, it’s usually because of extremely poor soil conditions. You’ll need to spread 3-4 inches of good topsoil over the area to be sodded for your sod to have a maximum likelihood of successful growth. It’s critical that after the toopsoil is laid down a tiller be used to mix the fresh topsoil with your existing soil.

REVIEWS

Herrera Sod is Awesome!

I bought my home recently, and the prior owner did not do proper lawn care. I decided it was best to have new sod installed. I found Herrera Sod on Google, got one of their FREE ESTIMATES, and WOW! The owner, Ernie, gave me a really low price, helped me pick the right grass type, prepped my yard by rototilling in 4″ of fresh topsoil, and installed my sod, and voila, I had a beautiful new yard! I recommended Herrera Sod to my friends who also want a fresh new yard after seeing mine. If you live in Manatee or Sarasota County, be sure to get an estimate from Herrera Sod.

Beautiful Sod & Fast Installation

My wife “decided” we needed a new lawn. Ours was over 20 years old, and if I’m kind, in very bad shape. More weeds than grass. I went to Google, and Herrera Sod came up near the top. They’ve been in business for 50+ years, so I figured they must be doing something right. I filled out their FREE ESTIMATES form on their website, and the owner, Ernie Herrera, called me right back. We set up a day and time for him to stop by. He came by on time, told me what options he recommended, answered my questions, and decided Herrera Sod was right for me. A few days I had a beautiful new yard that made my wife (and me) proud! I can recommend Herrera Sod to anyone who has a home in Manatee or Sarasota County. Be sure to get a FREE Estimate from Herrera Sod before you buy your sod.

ANGI – (ANGIE’S LIST)

GOOGLE REVIEWS