How to Install SOD in 5 Easy Steps?

How to Install SOD in 5 Easy Steps?

STEP 1: Know your soil 

It is important to understand how nutrients your soil is. You can buy a soil test kit, which is easily available in the market. To do a soil test, you need to take various samples of the soil from different places of the lawn and need to store the same in a labeled bag. It may take a couple of weeks to know the results. 

Also, be ready to answer the questions asked by the General contractors in San Antonio like how old is your lawn, quality of existing soil and its hardiness, whether and how much sunlight it receives, what will be the intensity of your usage, etc? 

STEP 2: Take the correct measurement  

It is essential to correctly measure the area which needs to be turfed. There are tools available that help you take the measurements correctly. It is advised that you order slightly more than the measured area so that you do not fall short of SOD while fitting the same in your lawn. 

Once you place an order, you must make sure that the same is delivered to you within 24 hours of cutting. Also, lay your SOD the day it arrives.  

STEP 3: Clean the area 

It is important to clean the area by removing the dirt and debris where the SOD installation will be done. It is also vital to remove the old grass before the turfing installation happens. You can apply any glyphosate-based product because they are systemic herbicide products that are curated to kill weeds. 

Apply this product on the dry leaf of the plant, so that it soaks up the chemical well. For maximum effectiveness, make sure the plant is not wet or drenched in rain. Just give it a couple of days before you apply the same the second time. Now use the sod cutter to eliminate the debris so that only a smooth and leveled surface is left. 

STEP 4: Preparing and Grading  

To ensure that the new grass penetrates smoothly and deeply, to result in a denser lawn, you need to prepare well before the actual turfing. When you are done with cleaning the site, grade the area well using a hand tool or tractor blade. It will not only eradicate the drainage problems if any but leveling the soil will also ensure a stronger foundation, removing the low-lying area, etc. You must also fertilize your area and rake the soil well.  

STEP 5: Lay SOD 

You can use things like a hose or landscape edger to cut around the corners while installing the SOD. Once done, roll the area using a lawn roller to smoothen the surface. You can also put some water for irrigation. So, the grass does not dry out.  

Wait for a week to allow SOD to settle and become smooth. Mow the SOD after a week of SOD installation.  

Here, we have described the complete step of Sod installation and if you want to know about drip irrigation and backyard design ideas then click on the link.

Author - Ultimate Construction  

How to Plan a Vegetable Garden

How to Plan a Vegetable Garden?

People across the world have understood the importance of organic farming, which is why they like to plan a vegetable garden on their own. Besides, it also ensures a healthy and safe environment. It is only in the presence of a good environment that people can grow healthily, and all kinds of economic and social development are possible. 

One of the main contributing factors for a healthy and safe environment is sustainable development. Sustainable development refers to the practice of using the available natural resources most judiciously to ensure that there is no wastage, and there are enough resources in store for the future generation as well. Landscape companies in San Antonio primarily help to plan and construct vegetable gardens for sustainable development. Having a vegetable garden is the most simple and easy way for individuals to contribute to making a better environment and healthy living.  

Following are some of the latest designs for a vegetable garden:

Smaller plots  

People living in smaller spaces can opt to divide the vegetable garden into smaller plots. The smaller sizes of the plots allow easy access to garden patches. It also gives a much neater appearance to the garden as well. Dividing the garden into smaller plots ensures that while working on the garden the individuals have enough space to move around without having to damage the soil in any way. Individuals can contact a vegetable garden design contractor to plan their garden efficiently.    

Crop Rotation  

Crop rotation refers to the practice of planning to harvest different varieties of crops or to ensure that the same variety of crops is not grown on the same patch of land, year after year. Crop rotation is one of the simplest and surest ways of ensuring that the land remains fertile and new nutrients are added to improve the quality of the soil. There should be a change in the crops being harvested once every three years. 

Aesthetic appeal of the Vegetable garden 

Most often, a garden fulfills the dual purpose of having aesthetic appeal and contributing to the environment, at the same time. A vegetable garden can also be used for the same reason. Planting ornamental flowers and other varieties of plants can add to the appeal of the vegetable garden. Adding creepers and vines to grow along the boundaries can also add to the beauty of the garden patch. Further, individuals can install benches, tea tables and chairs in the garden area as a place for relaxation and rejuvenation. Individuals can avail of services like San Antonio Lawn Mowing to maintain the beauty of the garden.     

Companion Planting 

Companion planting refers to the practice of growing vegetables with flowers. This way of gardening not only increases the beauty of the garden but also reduces problems of pests and diseases. It is preferable to plant combinations of vegetables and flowers that help to improve each other’s growth.

Making the soil beds higher 

Raised beds refer to the plant beds being at higher height above the ground. Raised beds are known to hold the loose soil, which is ideal for root crops. Raised beds allow better drainage, and it is appropriate for all kinds of shapes of plot and locations. 

Planting vegetables in containers 

Planting vegetables in containers under the soil are advisable as it allows the gardeners to plant and remove the plants with ease. It is a compact unit that ensures that the vegetable remains within particular confinement. This feature is particularly helpful in case of larger vegetables and in case the gardener wants to change the soil or position of the plants.  

Now you can plan your very own vegetable garden as per your requirements and tastes, with the help of the above guidelines.

Author - Ultimate Construction

San Antonio, Texas

In-ground Pool Cost in Texas

How much does it cost to build a swimming pool? 

One of the most important factors that affect the cost of building or installing a swimming pool is whether or not the individual wants to hire a professional service provider or a construction company or complete it as a DIY project. The cost of building and installing a swimming pool also depends on the type of swimming pool one chooses. There are mainly two types of swimming pools which are common these days: 

·         Above ground pools  

·         In-ground swimming pools 

The average cost of building a pool or in-ground pool installation an in-ground pool ranges between $25,700 - $29,600. 

Although, individuals may save up on the cost of service charges for building the swimming pool by building it on their own, they must be aware that the DIY pools take a longer time for construction and the individual may incur a higher cost of maintenance and repair in the long run. 

Building an in-ground swimming pool is more expensive in comparison to building a swimming pool above the ground. The in-ground pool kits include a variety of materials. The cost of construction is higher because an in-ground swimming pool in Texas requires more materials; the project requires a lot of expansion and elaborate preparation of the construction site as well.    

The lining of the pool is made with vinyl or fiberglass. This type of pool installation also requires patio surrounding and fencing.   

There are some additional costs that you should also keep in mind. They are: 

Accessories – Additional accessories like filters, pumps, cleaning tools, handrails, solar heating devices, thermometers, etc. are all accessories that are not compulsory but they are important to make your experience of using the pool more enjoyable. 

Solar heater – A solar heater is one of the most preferred accessories with regard to an in-ground swimming pool. It allows individuals to make use of the swimming pool throughout the year. 

Chemicals – Chlorine is needed to maintain the health and cleanliness of the pool. There is a certain Ph. testing strips available too that help to understand and regulate the amount of chlorine added to the water in the pool.  

Removing In-ground Pool 

Full removal of an in-ground pool is much more expensive than a partial inground pool removal. However, the process might be convenient if the location of the pool is within your property. You can then demolish and redesign the pool at your own convenience. It may not affect you even if the time taken for the removal is longer than you expected. 

A lot of raw materials go into making an in-ground pool. These materials include steel, wood, cement, vinyl, vermiculite, etc. In the process of removing the pool, the steel walls have to be removed.  

Method of in-ground pool removal  

The pool has to be removed and demolished completely. All the layers of concrete, fiberglass, granite, etc. the entire cavity of the pool has to be cleared. Then the area is compacted and filled. A licensed engineer should be consulted so that the demolition and the compacting plan is clear from every possible way. This is one of the ways to ensure that the pool plan is safe from all damages. Reliable service providers like Ultimate Construction who provides pool demolition inSan Antonio can help with such services

Author - Ultimate Construction

San Antonio, Texas