- 1). Take a soil sample. Dig 1 qt. of soil from 10 locations over the lawn. Place the soil samples in a bucket and mix them. Collect 1 cup of soil from the bucket in a plastic sandwich bag and take it to a Colorado State University Extension Service. An agent with the extension service will send the sample to a soil testing facility for analysis. Test results may be returned in as soon as three weeks and will indicate the soil's structure and make recommendations as to soil amendments.
- 2). Consult a state map with USDA hardiness zones marked on it to determine your USDA hardiness zone. A county extension agent will have an up-to-date version of this map.
- 3). Break up the lawn to a depth of 6 inches with a rototiller. Cover the soil with a 4-inch layer of soil amendments, as prescribed by the pH test. Good soil amendments for Colorado soil include peat moss and compost. Add sulfur to lower the pH of alkaline soils near the Rocky Mountains. Avoid using wood ash or sand in Colorado soils. Wood ash has a high salt and pH level. Adding sand can turn your soil into a mixture that mimics concrete. Mix the amendments into the soil with the tiller. Smooth out the yard with a landscaping rake. Fill in any divots and smooth over mounds of soil.
- 4). Dampen the soil with water 24 hours before laying sod.
- 5). Plant a variety of grass based on your USDA hardiness zone. Most of Colorado will require a cool-season grass. Kentucky Bluegrass or Ryegrass are good varieties for Colorado soils. Lay sod over damp soil like a carpet. Stagger each piece of sod so that there are no uniform seams.
- 6). Secure the sod with a sod roller to force the roots into contact with the soil. Water the sod up to four times daily with a garden sprinkler and hose so that ¼ inch of water falls on 1 inch of soil at each watering session. After two weeks, gradually taper off water until you use the standard watering amount for your area of Colorado. Watering amounts vary in Colorado. For most parts of the country, lawn grasses require 1 inch of water on 1 inch of turf every 10 days. In Colorado during dry summer months, lawns may require 2-½ inches of water every 10 days.
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