Question
Hi - a sod farm recently prepared my yard for sodding by cutting out the old grass and lightly raking the topsoil and filling in some depressions.  But I was suprised they didn't till the whole yard as some patches of soil are very densely compacted.  I'm worried this is not optimal for laying the new sod.  Should I till it or spade over the compacted sections before they come back next week to install the sod?  They said sod will grow on concrete, and I shouldn't worry about it.  Thanks!

Answer
Hi Dave,

Sod will not grow on concrete, and they're crazy for telling you that. If the sod dies in those areas, it'd be their responsibility to replace it. The workmen were just tired, and wanted to call it quits on your lawn.

No, you don't want hard, densely compacted soil underneath your sod. It's as simple as that. i don't know how you are going to get them back out to do it right, but you definitely should rattle a few cages to get the job done right.

Good luck Dave.

-C.J. Brown